Mos Espa, Tatooine

The twin Tatooine sun's burned on mercilessly, roasting the yellow sand. Droves of beings found shelter in any shade possible, attempting to stave off the heat. Children, too hot to play, lay down in the shade listening to an old man telling a story. Shop owners fanned themselves lazily.

Shmi Skywalker sat by herself, keeping an eye on her stall. Over the last few years, credits were hard to come by, and she had taken to sewing. With the little leftover wages made from working for Watto, she bought meters of material and made simple, light clothes. Working out of love, she sold her wares for a margin higher than what she bought them for, and as a result, was popular among the poor.

"Hot isn't it?"

A passerby stopped in front of Shmi's stall, fanning himself with his hand.

"Yes, as hot as I can remember. Can I help you with anything?"

The man started, realising where he was standing. "Oh dear no. I was just pausing for a breather. I've never been on Tatooine before. Is it always this hot?"

"Not always. We are at the peak of summer, so that explains the heat. The temperature is much more bearable during the winter months."

"Yes well," the man said, sighing. "Nice talking to you."

Shmi opened her mouth to say her goodbye when a large explosion rocked the market district. A small gunship flew overhead, and Shmi glimpsed a group of sand people jump out. Another blast rocked the square, flipping Shmi's stall like a piece of driftwood. It smashed against Shmi and pinned her to the floor.

There was yelling and blaster fire. Shmi couldn't move her body, and could only look upward at the bright suns. Squinting, she tried to make out what had happened.

Sand people streamed into the marketplace, firing on civilians and wrecking havoc. Their hounds chased down those unfortunate not to be killed by blaster fire. Their rifles cracked loudly, each one deafening Shmi. Then the sun seemed to be extinguished.

In total silence, Shmi blinked several times, her vision becoming more focused. She only just regained track of events to see the butt of a rifle hurtling toward her face, its metallic edge glinting cruelly in the sun.


Jacen's Apartment, Coruscant

Anakin Skywalker yelled loudly, thrashing about in his bed. In an instant, Jacen had flicked on the light.

"Anakin! Stop moving about!"

But he didn't hear Jacen. Still kicking wildly, he landed a blow on Jacen's chest, sending him flying backward. Jacen's head smashed against the low slung doorframe.

"Argh!" Jacen cried out. He rubbed his head hard, pain shooting down his body. Without a seconds thought, he went right back to Anakin.

"Anakin, wake up!" With that, he slapped Anakin on the cheek.

Anakin gasped loudly and began gulping down large amounts of air. His bed clothes were drenched, and he began shivering.

"What's the matter?" Jacen asked, his face full of concern.

"A nightmare," Anakin managed to say. His throat was dry, and he began coughing. Hurrying to the fresher, he drank a glass of water.

"Oh, that's better. It was just a nightmare." He sat down on the edge of his bed, swirling the water around the edges of the cup.

"A nightmare?"

"Just a nightmare."

"Are you sure? You sounded like you were in pain."

Anakin gave a shaky smile. "It's okay, I used to get these a lot when I was smaller. It's just a shock to have one, so many years after."

Jacen nodded slowly. "Okay. Well if you need me, just let me know okay?"

Anakin nodded, looking at the floor.

"Okay?" Jacen asked pointedly.

"Okay."

Jacen left the room and closed the door quietly behind him. The moment he left, Anakin's body began to shake.

Mum was attacked. She was taken by the sand people.

No she wasn't! It was just a dream!

But it was so real. She could be dead even now, and I wouldn't know about it.

No, that's wrong. I talked to her only yesterday. She's doing fine.

Downing the rest of the water, he collapsed into bed. He began to think of the offer Obi-Wan had given him.

"Can I think about it?"
"Yes, But make your decision as soon as you can. Time is of the essence."

I must help the Jedi. They stand for peace and justice. I will make sure that Mum is never hurt by becoming a Jedi and freeing her. Yes, I will become a Jedi.


Remote Outpost, Geonosis

The orange and brown landscape camouflaged the tiny insect perfectly. Being at the bottom of the food chain was hard, but being invisible to predators was the perfect defense. Hard mud and rock stretched from horizon to horizon, large tower like obelisks pointing to the sky. Grey, swirling clouds hung low, trapping the planets heat.

A speeder stopped abruptly, only meters from the insect. It stayed calm, and remained motionless. Thinking it was safe, it moved slightly. A strangling sensation filled the insect for the briefest of moments, and then everything turned black.

"The area is secured my lord."

A tall man held a transmitter at arm's length, his face showing a mixture of relief, fear and anxiety. His head was bowed slightly, the hood obscuring his face.

"What is your bidding, my master?"

Darth Sidious smiled from under his hood. His servant was proving to be very valuable to him.

"Where is our current position? How long until the droids are completed?"

"The droids are being built by the battalion. We have also designed a far more superior droid, capable of firing more than ten times faster than ordinary battle droids. They are also heavily armored and more intelligent."

"You have done well my apprentice. Once we have completed creating this new army, we will attack the Republic strategically. We will not win going head on against the Jedi."

"Yes master. When will I reveal myself to them?"

Sidious smirked. "Patience is something that the Jedi value, and for this situation, it is something we must also take on board. You know much of the Jedi and their practices, don't you Count Dooku?" he spat out the last two words.

Not knowing how to reply, Dooku kept his silence.

"Yes, best you don't say anything. I will contact you when I need an update."

"Yes Master," Count Dooku said, bowing. But the transmission had already ended.


The Jedi Temple, Coruscant

"You will use the main entrance. We do not want security to find you suspicious, understood?"

Anakin nodded nervously.

"Master Windu is right. You must act calm. The Senate guards are well trained and can spot a wrong doer a parsec away."

"Thanks for the boost of confidence," Anakin said shakily.

Obi-Wan almost laughed. "There is nothing to worry about. Even if you are caught, we will make sure that you are safe and that it doesn't stand on your record."

"Okay."

"This task will be easier for you than ordinary people. You are force sensitive. Even though you don't know how to use its power, the force will guide you. When you are in need of help, close your eyes and call on it."

"Close my eyes, got it."

"May the force be with you."

Anakin turned his back and walked out casually.

"What was that?" Mace Windu asked, incredulous.

"What was what?"

"He isn't a padawan, you can't speak to him like that."

Obi-Wan gritted his teeth. "He needs the force, not only in this mission, but in his life. Someone with that much potential won't simply grow old and die. They become legends."

"Even so, it wasn't called for."

There was an awkward silence.

"Look, you know I have the boys' best interests at heart-" Windu began.

"Of course. Perhaps I was a little forthcoming."

"Well forthcoming or not, I hope he doesn't get caught. If the media gets a whiff of this, the Jedi can be embarrassed quite easily."

A nearby turbolift opened and Padme Amidala exited.

"Senator. You only just missed our man."

"You have found someone for the mission?" she asked.

Windu pulled a face, but Obi-Wan nodded confidently. "His name is Anakin Skywalker. He isn't a Jedi, but-"

"He isn't a Jedi?"

"Well, no."

Padme crossed her arms. "I don't understand. What is he?"

Mace Windu managed to cut in front of Obi-Wan. "He is force sensitive, but he hasn't been trained in the Jedi way."

"So he is basically a normal human. Wait, he is human, right?"

"Yes, human male. And he isn't normal. His midi-clorian count is higher than any we've seen. He is showing some promise."

"So will he be trained?"

"We are still yet to come to a conclusion."

"But the general consensus is that he will be," Obi-Wan added. Windu shook his head in amusement.

"Well I hope this Anakin knows what he's doing. The life of many senators, including mine, depends on his actions."


The Senate, Coruscant

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

Concentrating on entering the Senate building, Anakin managed to knock over an old lady. Groceries spilled out onto the pathway, making passerby's almost trip on them.

"It's alright," the lady said, her throat croaking.

Anakin quickly picked up her shopping, but wasn't fast enough. A guard approached cautiously.

"Excuse me, what is the problem?"

Anakin, kneeling down and picking up a bag of fruit, looked upward. The Senate guard seemed like a giant, his hips tightly hugged by two blasters. Flushing, he stood up and handed the lady the bag.

"Nothing sir, I accidentally bumped into this charming lady." The old lady smiled widely, showing two rows of black and yellow teeth. The guard turned a little green and nodded politely.

"Well please vacate the walkway."

"Right away."

Anakin scuttled toward the senate entrance, glad to have the eyes of the guard behind him. He put on hand on the door just as-

"Hey!"

Anakin turned around slowly, his hands beginning to sweat. Managing a small smile, he put his hands in his pockets.

"Were you planning on entering the Senate district?"

"Yes," Anakin replied, abruptly.

"Okay," the guard began. His hand began to move toward his blaster and Anakin's eyes went wide. All of his instincts told him to run, but his feet didn't move. Deep in his mind, he could feel another emotion swirling with the others, a calm serenity.

"Well it's just that I've been asked to do a survey on the people entering in. From a hip pocket, he pulled out a datapad and read, "So are you here on work related business?"

Anakin sighed in relief. I thought I was done for. "Actually, I'm here doing a school project. My name is Anakin Skywalker and I'm a student of Veslak Academy." He gave the guard his Academy ID.

The guard glanced at the photo on the ID and Anakin's face. Nodding and handing back the ID he said, "Very well, on you go."

Opening the door, Anakin couldn't help but gasp. Over the years, the size and grandeur of Coruscant grew less intimidating and more normal. But once in a while, something makes Anakin stop in his tracks and look in wonder.

The lobby to the Senate was one of these moments. The roof seemed to extend forever, the ceiling filled with detailed paintings that were faded over time. The middle of the lobby was a constant river of moving heads, all aiming for a different turbolift. Two entire walls were donated to the turbolift's, and Anakin counted over fifty. The sheer size of the entrance made Anakin feel very small.

Fixing his sights on a map of the building, he managed to make it there without any mishap. Reading through it quickly, he found were he needed to go. "Trade Federation Lobby, Building 3, Floor 72." He murmured to himself.

Navigating his way to the nearest turbolift, he managed to squeeze inside. Anakin was pressed against another man, who was doing his best to act inconspicuous. Anakin could sense something strange. A little voice seemed to be telling him to forget the Trade Federation. They weren't the main threat. Frowning, Anakin tried to convince himself that he was here for a reason.

But no, the voice didn't like that. This man was the mission. Anakin needed to follow this man.

The doors opened and half of the occupants left, leaving the remaining in a more comfortable state. The man, who Anakin had now taken the liberty to name Shorty, was smoothing his hair fastidiously. Wetting his index fingers, Shorty smoothed out his eyebrows. Anakin suppressed a shudder.

The doors opened again. A single person entered, but many more left. Anakin cleared his throat. This was the stop for the Trade Federation offices.

The doors closed and Anakin closed his eyes. The force will guide you. When you are in need of help, close your eyes and call on It.

But nothing seemed to be happening. He tried harder, scrunching his face with concentration, but to no avail. Shorty whistled a little tune.

The doors opened again, and Anakin almost stepped out. He was following, for all that he knew, an innocent man on his way to work. But then something happened.

Anakin felt a surge of emotion flow from his mind into his body, sending what seemed like sparks to dance inside his body. Then, Shorty received a transmission.

"Yes?"
"I'm on my way."
"Just tell him to wait, I-"
"I understand."

Ending the transmission, he smiled at Anakin. "Typical boss."

Anakin smiled back. This man is just going to work. What am I doing still following him?

The doors opened again, and everyone but Shorty and Anakin left. The man gave Anakin a quizzical look, but didn't press.

The turbolift doors closed. It continued to rise, and Shorty was getting restless. He didn't act restless, but Anakin could sense it. He could feel mixed emotions inside this man. Fear, anxiety, stress. Anakin didn't find any of these unusual. Most workers were unhappy with their job. But then he sensed something else. Anger.

The doors opened and Shorty stepped out. Without a backward glance, he walked briskly out of sight. Anakin waiting until the last moment before leaving the lift. For all intents and purposes, Anakin was still in the turbolift.

The trail of emotions that Shorty left was more than enough for Anakin to follow. He walked for some time, the trail getting fainter, and other times, strengthening. It helped that there was no-one about. Then abruptly, the trail almost disappeared. A steel door blocked Anakin's path. Pressing his ear against the cold biting steel, he heard Shorty talking.

"The shipment arrives in three weeks. Yes, three standard weeks."
A short pause, then-
"I told you we can't act until it arrives! Corelia is weak. They breed warriors and then send them into the far reaches of the galaxy. We are already pressing the advantage."
"You believe so?"
Another short pause.
"Well even If they Jedi do aid them, the shipment will crush them. From what I hear, the droids are all but ready."

Hearing enough, Anakin tore himself from the door. This man was planning on attacking Corelia! What should I do? I could open the door and confront him. But he is most likely armed. Attacking a planet, no matter how small, requires a large amount of credits. This is a man with power, surely.

Anakin heard footsteps coming from the room, and before he could move, the door handle began to turn.

A/B

Yes, a cruel cliffhanger!

I want more reviews. The number of hits I'm getting in proportion to reviews is just ridiculous. Anything from, "Thanks for updating," to, "That was terrible." I'll take absolutely anything. Motivation from encouragement goes a long way.

If you can't tell by now, this story isn't a short one. It will take quite some time to finish it. But for me to be able to dedicate how much time I do, I would love more feedback.

This week I've:
Watched the first season of The Big Bang Theory
Went to a local driving range
Bought an awesome pair of sunglasses and;
Hit a parked car.

Until next time!