Padme didn't know what it was about today, but as she woke up she felt as though something was differently different within the house. Pushing the thought aside she went through her morning routine. Since becoming a mom she had become quite accustomed to preparing breakfast in the morning after taking a sower. When she was at home, she did this just for the household residents, but when she was with the Alliance, she helped out in the kitchen wherever that was. No matter what, she wanted what her kids ate to be cooked by her. she went out of the way to be a good mother despite how she began. After the twins were born she could barely look at them without remembering Anakin turning on her. She stayed away from them at all costs. It was Obi-Wan who took care of them during their first year of life while she barely put herself back together. But since then she vowed to be a good mother. Her every instinct was screaming at her to protect her children at this very moment, but she knew that they could take care of themselves, she and Obi-Wan had made sure of that should anything happen. Luke and Leia were the best hope for the galaxy. But she never told them that. She wouldn't put that much pressure on them. That was one mistake that the jedi order made with Anakin. From the start Anakin knew that he was the chosen one and it not only put too much pressure on him but it inflated his ego. She wouldn't do that to her children and had expressed her wishes on the matter to Obi-Wan on a number of occasions. Padme walked into the kitchen and began the preparations for the morning meal. Halfway through it Luke and Leia skidded into the kitchen. "Dad's gone!" Luke said in between breaths. "What did you say to him?!" Leia demanded. "Perhaps he's come to his senses and realized that he was in a loosing battle," Padme told them not really believing it herself. She paused as she wondered what exactly he was up to. "That's not it, Ben is gone too and so is all the jedi gear," Luke informed her. Padme looked at them then in surprise. "No, they can't possibly be doing what I think they're doing, they'll be killed," she said forgetting what she was doing and leaving the kitchen with Luke and Leia on her heals. She first went to the room where Anakin had taken up residence to find it ransacked and empty as though someone had left in a hurry. She turned around to check out Obi-Wan's room to find it in the same state but something caught her eye. A datapad was sitting out on the desk. Obi-Wan never left things out like this. She walked more fully into the room and picked up the datapad and activated it. Padme, I'm sorry to leave like this, but I have some unfinished jedi business. I left Luke an Leia with you in case something happens. I fully anticipate everything going according to plan, so I will be back. Obi-Wan Kenobi "Jedi business! But we're jedi, why didn't they take us with them?!" Luke cried feeling put out for being left out. "I'm sure that Obi-Wan knows what he's doing," Padme told him. "I'm not sure that this was Ben's idea," Leia said looking at her mother. Padme looked at her daughter and realized for the first time that Anakin was truly back. But for how long? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Obi-Wan looked over at Anakin for the hundredth time since they took off from Naboo in Darth Vader's personalized Imperial shuttle. They were very close to Kamino by now and so far Anakin hadn't said anything. "You know that you haven't said anything since we left Naboo. Whatever happened must have been pretty big," Obi-Wan pointed out. "I don't want to talk about it," Anakin told him. "Fine but do talk about something, your silence is unnerving," Obi-Wan told him. It was Anakin's turn to look at Obi-Wan and he smirked. "Sorry Master," he said. "No you're not," Obi-Wan told him. "You're right, I'm not," Anakin told him. "So, how is being on light side fairing for you so far?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin looked at him again. "Are you kidding?" he asked chuckling. "Actually I'm not. I kinda always wondered how that kind of conversation would play out," Obi-Wan admitted. "You've always wanted to ask a former sith how it felt to be on the light side?" Anakin asked skeptically. "Well not really, but as a youngling the thought did cross my mind. I once asked Master Yoda what I would say if I encountered a former sith who gave up the dark side," Obi-Wan told him. "And what did he say?" Anakin asked curiously. "To ask how being on the light side was fairing him," Obi-Wan told him. Anakin chuckled. "Look, we're coming up on Kamino now," he said. "Ah, good. Do you have enough credits for this to work out?" Obi-Wan asked as an afterthought. "Darth Vader has unlimited wealth at his disposal," Anakin told him as he piloted the shuttle into Kamino's atmosphere. He guided the shuttle to a landing platform before turning back to Obi-Wan. "It's time for the show, are you ready to play your part?" he announced. "The sooner our business with Kamino is done with the sooner I can get out of this Imperial uniform and back into my normal clothes," Obi-Wan told him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Lord Vader you will be happy to know that your order is quite on schedule," Lama Su the prime minister of Kamino said as Anakin and Obi-Wan entered his chamber. "I wish to depart with it as soon as possible," Anakin told him authoritatively. "Of course. Would you like to see him?" Lama Su replied. "Yes, I wish to make sure that it is worthy of five million credits that I will be depositing into your account," Anakin said. "As you wish My Lord," Lama Su said standing up. "I will take you to see him." Anakin and Obi-Wan followed the prime minister out of his chamber and down many corridors into the medical facility where a body lay on a table unconscious. Upon closer inspection the body was a perfect replica of Anakin down to the fingertips and toes. "Lord Vader it seems as though everything is well under orders," Obi-Wan said. Anakin picked up the clones right arm and looked at Lama Su. "You'll have to remove this," he said. "Excuse me?" Lama Su said. "The arm, remove it right above the elbow," Anakin ordered. "And what shall we do with it My Lord?" Lama Su asked. "Replace it with this," Anakin said removing his black leather glove revealing his mechanical arm. "And reattach the removed arm onto my own," he finished. "You do realize that that will cost extra," Lama Su told him without blinking his eyes. "I will give you whatever you want," Anakin told him. "Very well," Lama Su said and motioned for the medical team to come forward. "Prepare Lord Vader and his clone for surgery, we are switching arms," he instructed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Twelve hours and finally I am out of the infernos uniform," Obi-Wan said once they were in hyperspace again on the way to Coruscant. Anakin had already changed back into his jedi robes discarding Darth Vader's robes and now stood about the cockpit flexing his brand new arm and staring at it in wonder. "I hadn't actually appreciated the cloning technology until now," he said. "I thought that you had your other limbs replaced the same way," Obi-Wan said. "Vader never appreciated anything but the dark side," Anakin told him as he stopped focusing on his new limb. "From what I remember Anakin Skywalker didn't take the time to appreciate such things other than mechanics and his own abilities before," Obi-Wan said. "I'm a changed man," Anakin said sitting down in the pilots seat. "That you are my friend, that you are," Obi-Wan said taking the co pilots seat. "Do you mind if we make a detour?" he asked. "What for?" Anakin asked looking at him. "Supplies, hidden supplies," Obi-Wan said evasively. Anakin narrowed his eyes. "What kind of supplies?" he asked. "You'll see," Obi-Wan told him and then pulled something out of his robes. "Here, despite what your opinion of it is right now, you need this," he said handing him his lightsaber. Anakin took it feeling all kinds of mixed emotions about holding the weapon he handled throughout the clone wars and the jedi purges as well as Mustafar. "I hate this lightsaber," he said. "Because of what you last used it for," Obi-Wan said. "But think about how fitting it would be if you used this weapon of all else to end what you began." Anakin nodded. "When this is over, I will have a new one, perhaps a different color," he said. "What color should that be?" Obi-Wan asked. "I don't know, perhaps purple," he said trying to grin. "I don't think purple would suit you. Stick to blue Anakin," Obi-Wan told him. "You're probably right," Anakin said and attacked his lightsaber onto his belt. "You know that was the lightsaber that both Luke and Leia first used before they built their own," Obi-Wan told him. "Luke had always had more fondness for it than Leia however," he added. "Where is this detour you wanted to make?" Anakin asked. "Dagobah," Obi-Wan told him. Anakin glanced at him. "Odd kind of place to store supplies," he commented. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anakin jumped down from the ramp of the ship and landed in knee deep swamp. "This is so not cool," he muttered. "You know very well the reasons for us to even be on this planet," Obi-Wan told him. "I don't know what it it is on this force forsaken planet that is so important to you but I'd like to get off it as soon as possible," Anakin told him. "Not a what, a who," Obi-Wan told him. Anakin looked at him sharply at that. "Who?" he asked. "Lost are you?" Instantly upon hearing Master Yoda's voice Anakin dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "Forgive me Master for what I have done," he said. Master Yoda walked up to Anakin and scrutinized him. "If Skywalker you are then why hide your face?" he huffed. Anakin looked Master Yoda in the eye. "Because I am ashamed of my deeds Master," he answered. Master Yoda huffed. "Felt a shift in the force I have. No doubt that Sidious felt it as well," he said. "It was Luke and Leia Master, they brought Anakin back," Obi-Wan said. "Powerful jedi your padawans are, powerful jedi," Master Yoda said. "Master if I may say so, I would say that the twins had earned their knighthoods," Obi-Wan told him. "Hmmmm, the impossible accomplished it has," Master Yoda said, "Knighthood Luke and Leia Skywalker have earned." he then turned back to Anakin. "But knighthood returned to their father the question still remains," he added. Anakin was surprised that there was even a question, for everything he had done as well as being married was ground for expulsion from the order even if it consisted of only four jedi. He was surprised and confused that Master Yoda would even consider taking him back. And he let it show on his face. "I understand Master," he said. "No, Understand you do not," Master Yoda said sharply. "For eight hundred years have I trained jedi only to have the entire order taken down to just two! And by one of my own no doubt! Warned you of attachments I have but you ignored my warning! Come time for you to let go I advised you, you chose to ignore my advise! Instead of proving us wrong you proved us right! Attachments are dangerous! My greatest hope would for Luke and Leia Skywalker to make the right decision when their time comes," he told him sharply poking Anakin in the ribs with his gimir stick with each point he made making Anakin not only wince from his words. Anakin looked at Obi-Wan giving him the you fed me to the nexu look which was entirely unsuited for a thirty nine year old man. "Don't give me that look Anakin. You know that you couldn't avoid this forever," Obi-Wan told him completely unaffected by the look that Anakin was giving him. He did however turn to Master Yoda. "Perhaps Master the rules for attachment should be bent some," he said. Master Yoda humphed. "Your reasons for supporting this you may state," he said settling down on a rock. "I have observed Luke and Leia since they were born, there is a strong bond there yes. But neither twin has yet put their bond before what they had to do. As they unofficially took part in the Alliance battles there have been an occasion where one of them have gotten hurt yet they always put the battle first when all they wanted was to help their twin out, it was the same with their mother," he said, "In addition when they learned the truth," Obi-Wan briefly glanced at Anakin who had his full attention on Obi-Wan, "They were quite distressed," he noticed Anakin hang his head, "but they soon set out on a course to bring their father back to the light which they succeeded. That in itself should add merit to attachment," he finished. Master Yoda looked thoughtful. "Luke and Leia Skywalker's actions I will take into consideration," he said. "Master," Anakin said speaking up. "I have a mission that I ask for you to help me with," he said. "Kill the Emperor I have failed in doing so," Master Yoda said regretfully. "That's not it Master," Anakin told him and proceeded in explaining his plan while Master Yoda listened carefully. "Fool Sidious, not easy it will," Master Yoda said at last. "I have to do something to explain my absence or else he will figure things out and realize that Padme is alive along with our child," Anakin told him. "Say you will do it Master, for their sake," he urged. Master Yoda thought about it and then turned to Obi-Wan. "Think it will work do you?" he asked. "I think that it's worth a shot. If we do nothing Senator Amidala and the twins could be in even greater danger," Obi-Wan said. "Then do something we will," Master Yoda declared. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Check on the clone I will," Master Yoda said once they entered the ship, "meditate I will after that." He hobbled away to the back of the ship leaving Anakin and Obi-Wan alone in the cockpit. Anakin busied himself with the take off and setting the coordinates to Coruscant silently thinking to himself. He thought mostly about the different battles he had taken part of against the alliance. How long had Luke and Leia been members of the Rebel Alliance? Probably since they were born. There was no doubt in his mind that Padme was one of the prominent members, that she had a hand in forming the alliance. It made sense that Luke and Leia would be a part of it. But the question was just how many battles have they fought? "I wouldn't worry Anakin, we'll have Sidious off of our trail soon. With any luck we'll be able to catch him off guard," Obi-Wan assured him. "That's not what I'm thinking of," Anakin told him. "I know," Obi-Wan admitted. "How many battles have Luke and Leia fought?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan scratched his head. "To be honest? I don't know. Only they know. You see they tend to take on their own direction for battle. Who knows how many X-wings they stole to go into battle. We've only caught them a handful of times," he said and leveled him with a look. "They're quite the team and excellent pilots, they can even give you a run for the money," he added and looked away, "From what I hear, they already have." "I don't suppose that you've ever flown an X-wing?" Anakin asked. "No, I gave up flying a long time ago," Obi-Wan answered. Anakin nodded his suspicions confirmed. The two force sensitive pilots he had encountered numerous times were in fact his own children and he almost shot them down. "I haven't forgotten that you hate flying," he said. "I don't hate flying but what you Skywalkers do is suicide," Obi-Wan told him. "You just don't want to admit it to me," Anakin told him. "Lets just get this mission over and done with," Obi-Wan said. "I just hope it doesn't make Padme worry that much," he added. Anakin looked at him then. "Why would she worry?" he asked. "You have to ask?" Obi-Wan said surprised. "Forget it," Anakin said quickly. "Anakin," Obi-Wan began unsure of what to say, "we left in the middle of the night with no word and we're about to do something that is most likely going to end up all over the holonet again without word to Padme and your children. Of course she is going to worry!" "I said forget it," Anakin said getting grumpy. "Fine," Obi-Wan said not wanting to get into an argument. "How... ah... how was she?" Anakin asked finally. "Padme did everything the best that she could. She has dedicated herself to being a good mother and to the Alliance. She left no room in her life for anything social," Obi-Wan told him. "She hasn't moved on Anakin." Anakin didn't say anything instead choosing silence as he thought about his situation. He wasn't looking forward to being on Coruscant. He had mixed feelings about returning to the lake house. Aside for wanting to be around his family, he had no desire to be around Padme if she didn't want him. Trouble is that he had no where else where he belonged now. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luke sat down in the lounge flicking through the holonet trying to figure out what this mission his father and Obi-Wan had gone on was about. Somehow he felt that it would cause attention. From the stories he had heard growing up, his father did nothing but cause trouble and earned attention. "Still monitoring the holonet?" Leia asked plopping down beside him. She handed him a piece of fruit. "Thanks," Luke said and took a bite of the sweet tasting fruit. "You know they probably went to see Master Yoda," Leia suggested taking a bite of her own fruit. "I don't think that that is it," Luke said. "Besides you said that you thought that it was Dad who dragged Ben to do force knows what." "I know, but why wouldn't they take us, we're jedi too. The only thing that makes sense if for them to see Master Yoda. Face it, Dad has a lot to make up for. He needs to ask for forgiveness and the first person who he should ask besides Mom is Master Yoda," Leia told him reasonably. "I see your point, but something is telling me otherwise," he said and then something caught his attention on the holonet. "Leia look!" he turned the volume up. "News of Lord Darth Vader's death is sending shockwaves throughout the galaxy!" "MOM!" Leia screeched In a matter of seconds Padme ran into the lounge with her blaster closely followed by Han and Chewie. "What is it?" she asked seeing that there was no danger. "Listen," Luke said dreadfully. "The death of Darth Vader happened last night within the ruins of the jedi temple. It appears that three jedi had set a trap for Lord Vader and ambushed him resulting in his death. The jedi in question remain unknown. Security footage showed further example that not only did the jedi kill Lord Vader but Vader had grievously wounded one of the jedi. Every Medical facility in the galaxy is being closely monitored for the renegade jedi. A public service for Lord Vader will be held in a week's time. Emperor Palpatine is expected to make a public speech on this heinous crime." "Turn it off," Padme demanded ashen faced. "Looks like we wont be seeing him again," Han observed eying the Skywalkers carefully. Chewie growled his agreement. "It can't be," Leia said desperately. "Not after everything!" "They're wrong!" Luke told them. "Luke, they have a body, the emperor would have identified it before the news got out," Han told him. "The news said that there were three jedi, how could that be? Besides me and Leia there is just two!" Luke reasoned. "Mom?" Leia asked. Padme didn't say anything. She just turned around and walked out of the room.
