Life 75: Chosen Again
Author's Note real quick
Sorry this chapter took so long. I wrote half of it weeks ago, and only now got around to finishing it. I wanted to also address some oddities in my writing that have confused some readers.
I often tend to begin or end chunks of the story with Bold font. This is not to emphasis importance or thoughts or anything like that, it is merely to help separate sections of the story with dramatic effect. Similar to my use of the Horizontal line. It is a stylistic choice.
As well, only Harakin's perspective will ever be First Person. Any other character will be Third Person. I do have a dynamic switch of perspectives in this chapter, but it is sort of explained by that character changing.
Now then, I've rambled enough, I hope you all enjoy, the next chapter won't take so long...
God can the Clone Wars come fast enough...?
(Supreme Chancellor's Quarters, Coruscant, 32 BBY)
"I suppose I have you to thank." Chancellor Valorum said to me, as the two of us sat within his quarters, some drink being shared between the two of us. I didn't know exactly what it was, but it looked and smelled vaguely like tea, but tasted similar to watered down hot chocolate.
Odd.
"Indeed. As I said before, you intrigue me chancellor, since you hold such a difficult position, yet you continue to try and do your best at maintaining order within the Senate… considering the people attempting to hold you back." I said to him, neither of us mentioning Palpatine, but both knowing he was on our minds.
"I was meaning to ask. How did you get all that information?" Valorum asked me, the man taking a drink as he tried to sound not too strict or judgemental.
Obviously he was trying not to offend me.
I just laughed.
"My droids are literally everywhere in the Galaxy. What no one knows when they buy them though, is that each records every single thing around them, and transmits it all to my database. Hell… I have most of the Republic's database copied already." I said to the man, completely unafraid of his reaction, considering he was poised on death's door already.
He merely blinked for a second, before settling back in his seat.
"That's really concerning."
"Oh definitely." I said in response, breaking into a laugh as the two of us sat back, a comfortable silence falling on us.
Valorum broke the quiet first, placing his drink down on the table before us, the silver mug clanging with an echo.
"So, I must address my biggest concern. What do you get out of this, or, what do you want in return for my continued servitude to the Republic, and my life?"
I sat for a moment, before instantly having my answer, as Clara's suggestion from back on Tatooine came to mind.
She had a few suggestions for the company's growth, and this had been the perfect opportunity.
"I want a building permit, a trade agreement, and a license to conduct business on Republic grounds." I said in a rush, draining the last of my mug as I let the request settle into Valorum's mind.
The man bounced back quickly.
"I… expected a lot more than that, to be honest."
"I understand, but I would rather expand Skydroids into the galaxy, rather than follow in the Trade Federation's steps, and request something absurd like political immunity. If I did, I imagine someone like me would come along and ruin me, just as I plan to ruin them." I said with a huff, focusing once more on the man as he pulled out his datapad, which appeared to be of the same brand and mark as mine.
That would make the file transfer even easier, I thought with a smirk.
Valorum returned my smile, as he finished his process in a rush.
"Well, Mister Skywalker, I believe we have an agreement. Welcome to the seedy, horrific business world of Coruscant. In no other way, will you discover how awful this planet is." Valorum said with a chuckle, the two of us shaking hands as the documents found their way to my pad.
"Glad to be here."
(Jedi Council Chambers, Coruscant, 32 BBY)
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn bowed with exhaustion clear on his frame.
The Jedi Master had working without sleep for almost two days now, as he had been trying with all his might to avoid the horrific future he predicted, as he almost seemed to know that Anakin would go on to do nothing but bad if left to his own devices.
He had once been a devout follower of the Jedi Code, but after all his failures, after Mandalore… He had become much more balanced in the ways of the Force, and that reflected much of how he considered those around him.
While many Jedi balked at Anakin's refusal to abide by many tenets of the Jedi, Qui-Gon was fully willing to give into Anakin's demands, as he considered Anakin's decision to be an unconventional Jedi much better than that of an unwatched Force wielder set loose in the galaxy…
So, he had worked nonstop to convince his fellows to listen and give the boy a chance, and he had succeeded, much to his delight… but he hadn't gotten a chance to rest, and when he had… the Jedi Council of course had to summon him…
"You summoned me Masters?" Qui-Gon asked almost passive aggressively, his exhaustion weighing on him as he tried to maintain an even tone towards them.
Windu easily picked up on his annoyance, but the others seemed oblivious.
"Yes Master Jinn. Are you aware of the events of the Senate Meeting earlier today?" An alien Jedi, with a face very similar to a respirator, addressed him, his hands resting together. Qui-Gon shook his head at Plo Koon, the Master understanding.
"I am not aware. I have been preoccupied by many matters since I returned to Coruscant."
The Master nodded at this, before Yoda turned to face the long haired man, Qui-Gon bowing his head before the Grandmaster.
"Surprises, Valorum has revealed. Exposed, the Trade Federation has been." Yoda spoke, his eyes still closed in concentration as Qui-Gon wondered how long his luck would last.
Anakin accepted into the Jedi, and the Trade Federation revealed as evil?
How very fortunate.
"Then… does that mean that the Republic will aid Naboo?" Qui-Gon asked them, a hopeful tone to his voice as he hoped that his luck would continue on.
The last time he had this good of luck, his first lightsaber had exploded on him… He didn't push his luck often, but he chanced it here.
"Of course, but here we aren't alone. Many planets have pledged their aid to Naboo, along with the droid company Sky-Droids. They stepped forward to pledge assistance to the Naboo Royal Family, and many others stepped forward." Windu explained, an almost happy look on his face, as despite his hesitation to work with the mysterious tech company, he hated the idea of the beautiful Naboo being ravaged by those savages.
"Sent to help, you will be. Aid our allies in battle, you will." Yoda ordered him, Qui-Gon instantly bowing as he deeply desired to be back on the planet, trying to do what he couldn't before, beating back the vile Trade Federation and freeing the planet form its invaders.
"Of course Masters." Qui-Gon said with a small smile as he turned to leave, only to be stopped by Windu's call.
"Qui-Gon, one last thing."
The Jedi in question froze and turned back then, waiting for whatever Windu wished him to know.
"Be careful on Naboo, something doesn't seem right."
Qui-Gon nodded then, as he had felt the same.
Things were going much too well, and they were.
But not for too long, as figures began to plot once more in the shadows, the Jedi blinded in their shining light.
Their only salvation being to be dragged into the darkness that they hated, that foul darkness holding the key to their survival.
If only they would let themselves feel that which they rejected.
Their code was killing them.
"Obi-Wan, ready the Interceptors." Qui-Gon said to the young man, the two standing inside the Jedi Temple's hanger, Starfighter ships waiting to be flown all ready around them. The Delta-7 Interceptors had been a recent acquisition by the Jedi, the Council of which had been against the idea of owning Starfighters, but the more paranoid of the Order had demanded them, so five of the Interceptors now sat in the Order's possession.
Obi-Wan began to ready the two battered Interceptors, the ones that had been assigned to the two of them after their previous ship had been destroyed during their ill-fated meeting with the Trade Federation.
"We're headed to Naboo, right Master?" Obi-Wan asked the older man, who nodded briskly.
"Yes, we're to meet with the generals of the different Armies, and cooperate a battle strategy. Alderaan, Arkanis, Birren, Roonan, and other systems have all sent forces to assist us in taking back the planet." Qui-Gon explained as he began packing what little supplies he would need into his Interceptor, his mind racing.
"That's great Master!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, shocked that so many planets would aid in their liberation of Naboo, convinced that there was no way they could lose now.
"Yes, but that alone isn't all of our allies. Anakin has pledged his company to assist Naboo, hundreds of his droids already landing on the planet to assist the Republic effort." Qui-Gon said to the man, the finer details of it all shown clear in his mind, as he remarked over what Windu had said.
Things weren't right in this all, almost as if this was a trap.
Things were going way too well, and he was merely waiting for this all to collapse on them.
He knew it would.
"Then this will all go smoothly." Obi-Wan said with an odd positivity, one not often seen in times like this, yet the light in his soul and the Force burned bright.
Qui-Gon tried to smile at his Padawan's sureness, but he couldn't help but worry…
He had a bad feeling about this.
"We'll be back soon Anakin." Qui-Gon said to me with a comforting voice, clapping a hand on my shoulder as he looked towards Obi-Wan.
The two of them were heading off to Naboo to fight off the Trade Federation… and leaving me here.
Granted, to the Jedi, I was but a boy that held only a vague understanding of the Force, and it wasn't like I was letting them know the truth so soon.
So, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, the Naboo Queen, and her boring bodyguard were all blasting off to battle, while I was supposed to stay on Coruscant, and study Jedi ways that I wouldn't be following anyway…
As soon as I was led off back to the Temple, and dropped off in the Youngling Dormitory, I was left to my own devices… which was perfect.
Throwing a ward up on the room with a free hand, I activated my ear piece with a tap.
"Warm Greeting: Hello Master, how may I be of assistance?" Clara's familiar voice asked of me, my attention falling to my datapad as I began logging into my company's secure channel.
"Hello Clara, the Jedi have set off for Naboo, are the Assault Droids in position to assist them?" I asked her, looking over the schematics. I had designed it in a rush of designs, failures marking many models unusable and forcing me onwards.
I had sent these droids out in mass ships, bringing the 130th Model droids to Naboo's surface, lying in wait for the battle to begin.
"Pleased Exclamation: The 130s are in battle ready positions, and will be triggered to activation when the Jedi land. They will present themselves, and assist them in the battle." Clara said confidently, my datapad bringing up holograms of the planet, the patterns of the Trade Federations droids, and the placements of my own.
I had already surveyed the Federation's ships, which I would be dealing with quickly, but my main focus was on the planet and the Jedi.
While the Jedi were stiff and uncompromising in many ways, I had grown fond of Qui-Gon and his Padawan, and wanted to see them come out of this alive, though I wasn't concerned for Qui-Gon, I was skeptical if Obi-Wan would survive the conflict.
He had proved himself in combat, but plans always fail, and sometimes all it takes to die is a single moment of not paying attention.
So, I activated a protocol I had designed back on Tatooine, which only now was ready.
"Clara, how is SC-5 performing?" I asked her, the basic droid appearing on my screen. After thinking over what I could create in my work, I found electronics familiar and satisfying, but couldn't help but think of my old friend Stark.
So, the SC line was created, a series of droids that I could control safely from home, unlike Stark's suits.
"Answer: The SC-5 model is primed and active Master. In anticipation, I had the model transported to Naboo's surface along with the droids, and it is ready for activation."
I nodded as the droid's code unlocked for me, enabling me to access it's controls.
Doing a last check to ensure no one would be entering my room, I pulled a cord free from my robes, and plugged one end into the pad, the other extending to reveal a sharp needle.
Taking a breath, I inserted the cord into my arm and laid back on the small bed, holographic code flying past my gaze as I lost myself in their colors.
Closing my eyes, I let myself go, and found myself far from my body...
With a mechanical groan, a tall, silver droid stood within a darkened alcove inside the Naboo Palace, it's piercing green eyes burning in the dark like a curse best left forgotten.
It blinked twice, only to rub it's metallic jaw, an odd pain running through it's circuits as it lost the feeling of a human body and found itself in that of a droid.
Along with the droid's circuits having to support the full brunt of Anakin's brain waves, which was enough to fry most droids from the inside.
This droid was different however, enscribed with runic symbols all designed to hold his conscious and magic without being destroyed.
Conveniently, the Force wasn't too different energy wise, so any Runes he created worked well enough.
Taking stock of its… his, surroundings, Anakin heard sounds of battle going on, proving that the other armies hadn't waited to begin the battle, leaving the Jedi to arrive in an active war zone…
"Well, at least I'm here..."
(Naboo, Chommell sector, 32 BBY
After a rough landing, rife with the Trade Federation ships trying to shoot them out of the sky, forcing them to land in the wilderness of the planet, not far from where they had landed in the Federation's dropships.
Obi-Wan and his master had split up, Obi-Wan heading off to help the armies as Qui-Gon went to escort the Queen to her throne.
Left on his own, Obi-Wan began cutting his way through more droids than he had ever seen, and had taken more blaster grazes than he would have liked.
Emerging from the woodworks of the Planet, Obi-Wan found a tall dugout in the battlefield, an Alderaanian commander and his troops hidden within.
"You're the Jedi, right?" A muscled man with more scars on his head than he had hairs asked them, a large rifle in his arms as droids fired their blasters at their cover.
"I am, how can I assist you?" Obi-Wan asked them swiftly, his mind running over strategies about how they could turn the tide.
He had no idea where the other armies where, nor where the droids on their side were.
"Diric Dawnwalker, Commander of the Army of Alderaan." The man introduced himself with a quick nod, as he looked over two injured soldiers, one cradling his wounded leg while the other was unconscious. "As soon as we landed we were fired on. We met up with Birren's forces and split with them by the ocean, but we haven't seen anyone else besides droids since then."
Obi-Wan nodded at that assessment, not sure whether or not they had come across Anakin's droids in this event, but he would have to find out for himself.
Qui-Gon and himself were given images of Anakin's droids that would meet them, so he decided to lead these men to meet up with their droid allies.
"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, allow me to help you reunite with our allies." Obi-Wan said confidently, giving a hand to the injured soldier and pulling him to his feet.
Helping the soldiers and readying himself, Obi-Wan jumped from cover, meeting the waves of droids head on.
He doubted Qui-Gon was having this much trouble…
"Your majesty, you must stay safe." Qui-Gon explained to the stubborn young woman, trying to get her to see that she would be safer with the Skydroids they had found, a Roonan troop joining them along the way.
They had stopped off at a Royal security center, the Jedi and his charge meeting their allies in a crowd of the Federation's forces, the three groups joining together in the small, reinforced station.
Qui-Gon stopped them their, as he knew that something was wrong with the palace, the Dark Side crawling over the place like snakes in a den of darkness.
He could not allow the young Queen to enter that cesspool, as he felt warning after warning burning through him, the Force almost beginning to scream at him.
Padme, however, refused to see his reasoning and demanded that she follow him into what had to be a trap.
"This is my planet Master Jedi, and I will defend it against these invaders, no matter the cost." The Queen argued, her face flushed with anger as she all but shot him with the burning rage in her eyes, obviously thinking that he was treating her like a child.
"Indeed, and you will have much defending to do in the coming weeks, but not if you die to a stray blaster shot." Qui-Gon argued in return, his intention clear. He would not let her die on his watch, as too many had before.
She tried to argue once more, attempting to push past him, only for him to grab her shoulder in a gentle grip.
"Padme, you must stay here. If the Queen of Naboo dies, then this battle is already over." He said to her softly, the fight leaving her body as she realized that he was right, the anger draining from her as she thought of all that would happen in the event of her death.
Naboo would lose their Queen, and would mourn her… until they found a replacement, which could take years if this battle destroyed as much as she thought it would…
Let alone her family, who would be devastated by her loss, her parents losing their youngest daughter, her sister alone and likely feeling guilty, as Sola had been the initial choice for Queen, only to step down in favor of her sister…
Padme hadn't thought of what would happen if she should die, and that cold realization sunk in.
"Do you understand now, your majesty?" Qui-Gon asked of her, the girl nodding as she pulled herself together. He merely smiled as he knew that she was a fighter, though this was not the battle she was ready for.
"Very good. I will defeat those vile invaders you majesty, make no mistake of that. Naboo will stand after this day, I promise you that." Qui-Gon said with a surety not known to many, as he thought of all he had done, and the reverse of what he had hoped for her to discover.
The consequences of death, and that led him to the same thought.
What would happen if he died?
He only hoped that it wouldn't come to that, as he stepped free from the safety of the station, stepping once more into battle, blasters firing and droids and soldiers all dropping around him.
This place felt so very wrong… yet something familiar lay near… the Dark Side walked this planet, he felt their presence…
The division in the Force felt clearer than he had ever felt it, the Dark Side twisting and stabbing at his senses…
This confirmed the suspense he had held secret for so long…
The Sith lived…
Obi-Wan stood in a pile of bodies, both flesh and machine, as he looked on at the ruined bodies of their allies, the soldiers he had met and so many more, all lay devastated around him, the young Jedi only having been saved due to his survival instincts.
When a droning noise erupted through the skies, Obi-Wan had cloaked himself in the Force, praying to the Force itself to protect him as the Federation dropped bombs across the battlefield, obliterating their droids and his soldiers alike.
Obi-Wan was alone in this new graveyard of battle for longer than he could remember, lost in his thoughts and the Force, until he sensed a presence behind him… a… rageful, presence.
He didn't need to turn to know that the Dark Side had approached, and this being was its agent.
He didn't need to, but he turned to face that which sought to kill him where he stood.
A tall figure stalked towards him, black robes flowing off their body like smoke as the Force radiated off them like heat from a sun.
A long Lightsaber hilt hung from their left hand, as the other rose to pull their hood back, revealing a male Zabrak that couldn't have been much older than Obi-Wan himself.
Black and red marking ran across the alien's face, horns erupting through his skull, golden eyes shining through his dark sockets.
Obi-Wan knew those eyes, and he knew that which this creature had to be.
Just as his Master had feared…
"You've come to kill me, I assume." Obi-Wan asked the assassin with a trace of humor, knowing he likely faced an opponent fiercer than any he had ever met before.
The Sith did not answer, merely readying his saber, a crimson blade extending from it.
Obi-Wan returned the gesture, his blue blade burning free in the through the falling ash, a ship crashing down to the planet not far from where their confrontation had come to be.
Raising a hand to his opponent, and aiming his saber towards the Sith's head, Obi-Wan took a breath, and the Force aimed his hand.
He would not let the Sith rise again.
Qui-Gon's feelings of unease were true.
He had expected waves upon waves of droids to ambush him, defenses to be turned against him… yet he found empty halls for him to pass, silence greeting him, his footsteps intruders in this unnatural quiet.
And yet, he continued on, the Force telling him to run back to the Temple, to forget Naboo even existed…
He ignored it, his steps thunderous in the quiet of the palace, his eyes only on where he was to go, the throne room not far.
He stilled his mind, banished his fears, and straighten his grip on his Lightsaber, the emerald blade ready and willing to defend it's wielder…
But no opposition stood in his path, no enemy, droid or otherwise rose to meet his gaze nor his blade.
He felt unease like none before, as his paranoia spiked, fearing an attack from any angle, but knowing he was prepared to fight off his attacker.
What he was not prepared for, however, was to reach the Throne Room… and hear a familiar voice from behind him, a voice he would always remember.
A voice he felt responsible for failing.
"Ah, Qui-Gon, finally my lost Padawan returns to my side." A deep, regal voice said in the silence, as Qui-Gon turned to face the man he had known most his life, one that had left all they had held dear, believing that there had to be a better way.
One Qui-Gon had felt responsible for him having fallen.
"Hello Dooku."
A third man in black, one much older and skilled than either of the Sith that faced their enemies, sat alone in his chambers, having come to Naboo to oversee their efforts on the planet… and ensuring that they would not fail.
Darth Sidious, or as he was commonly known, Sheev Palpatine, rested in the elegant room, his mind open to the Force's gentle touches, the future unveiling before him.
He knew not what lie ahead in this conflict or those he would begin, but he saw the fates of those the Force had deigned important or powerful.
He saw one being that warranted attention, one that would strip away the Jedi's many layers, and seemingly bring a new age to the Galaxy, if he was so allowed.
Sidious could not allow the Jedi to live, nor to evolve as this man sought to do… yet, the Force refused to show him this man, nor delight him with his name… but he was familiar.
Something about him seared it's way through Sidious' mind, pulling him towards some conclusion that he wasn't powerful enough to see… emerald eyes burning back into his golden gaze, a being staring back at him as he did at it.
He felt… confusion, and slight fear, because the Force showed him this man for a reason, and would not tell him why… This man, was a turning point, a… Crux… in the Force.
He tried with all his might, even begging the Force to reveal it's champions name… and finally, after so much effort… it gave away.
His mind was enlightened, and a single word was revealed to him, then infuriating him beyond belief, for surely no one had such a name as that.
He was even more lost than he had been before…
What good was knowing a name that would lead nowhere?
However, at least he had a name for this Crux, this… mysterious specter of the Force…
Harry.