ooc: Hey all! Sorry its taken a little while to update, hope you all enjoy it. Dots will start to get connected here and there, so things will start to make more sense. You know the deal, I didn't create star wars, or else I'd be a billionaire. Like good ol' George. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Family Ties
Halfway across the galaxy, in the chancellor's office, Padme felt something through the force. She had been listening to Bail summarizing the previous days' events to Chancellor Mothma, but she felt a great change... It was surreal, Padme felt something change, something so powerful, she couldn't explain it. It was so powerful, she couldn't stop herself from clutching her head as she felt almost dizzy from it. She could only guess that it had to do with Anakin, as no one else would affect her so. But what could this be?
"Are you alright Senator Skywalker?" Chancellor Mothma asked.
"Oh yes. I'm fine. Just missing my husband."
Mothma gave a slightly sad smile to Padme, "I can imagine he wasn't exactly pleased with the news from yesterday. About Gunray or Clovis..."
"No. He wasn't. He wanted to rip Clovis apart... It's a good thing he wasn't there when it happened."
Mothma nodded, "I understand." She paused and looked at Bail who could only manage to scoff. "I will also understand if he wants to rip me apart after what I will suggest."
Padme looked at Mon Mothma, her long time friend and mentor in the senate who was staring at the ground, refusing to look up. She then turned to Bail, who stuck his hands up, "Don't look at me. This was her idea."
Padme then turned once more to Mothma, "What is it...?" She asked cautiously.
"Padme, I do not want to put you into this situation, believe me. As your friend, it is painful for me to suggest it, but as the leader of our fledging government it is my duty to ask..."
"Just come out and ask Mon, I won't judge you until you say it." Although Padme had a feeling she already knew.
Mothma sighed before asking: "Padme, I must ask if you would be willing to... If you would be willing to seduce Clovis and-"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Padme exclaimed. "How dare you! How dare you! To attempt to muscle an old relationship I had with a man to further your goals. How dare you to suggest I be unfaithful to my husband. You have some nerve!" She was livid. The anger on her face was simply radiant.
"Padme, please calm down-"
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare tell me to calm down. I will resign from my position and leave this government in the dust so fast you won't know what hit you. Before you say another word chancellor, you better understand. My personal life is just that. Personal. Don't ever try to make me choose between my career and my family. I will choose my family. Every time." That effectively ended the conversation, and Padme left without another word.
*Elsewhere*
Anakin and Yoda were preparing to leave the planet to head back to Taris when R2 came upon them with a message.
"What is it artoo?" Anakin asked.
The droid responded with a whirl of beeps and then he showed the message. It was Ki-Adi Mundi.
"Master Yoda, Master Skywalker. I am reporting to you from Tatooine, our forces have been able to help the new government take control in all major cities and ports. However, they are still susceptible to Tusken attacks, and Hutt supported criminals have taken refuge amongst the deserts of the world. But things are relatively stable. I have sent you this message to update you, and Master Skywalker, I think you will find it interesting... The newly elected leader of Tatooine is a man by the name of Owen Lars. I believe he is your step-brother. He has expressed an interest to speak with you if the opportunity arises. At any rate, I thought I'd keep you up-to-date with the situation here. May the force be with you."
That was weird. Anakin remembered his Step-brother, albeit not too well. While he wasn't exactly excited about returning to the world where his mother died and where he spent his first 9 years of his life as a slave, he did wish to speak with his step-brother if he had expressed an interest. "Wish to go to Tatooine, do you Master Skywalker?"
"If there's nothing else pressing, I would like to."
The little green creature smiled, "To visit your family, is not a bad thing. Even if forbidden by the Jedi Code it is." Anakin smiled. "Broke that already, you have." And for a rare moment, Anakin heard the ancient Jedi Master laugh.
Then, in the midst of their conversation, as Anakin was taking a step, a wave of force energy hit him. Everything went black for a moment, before a shinning man of light stood, wisps of fog like strands of the light blended into the black. He spoke with a familiar voice... "One of Peace, One of War, One of Suffering, One of Core." And just as suddenly as it happened, Anakin was back in the moment on Dagobah as he was stepping forward. The shock of what had just happened caused Anakin to misstep and trip. He hit the ground with a loud thump, and a giggle from the ancient Jedi Master.
"Forgot how to walk, have you Master Skywalker?" Yoda managed to say through his laughter.
Anakin responded with a laugh of his own, before he fell into thought about what he had just seen. Was it just his imagination? Or did that actually just happen? Regardless, Anakin hopped back into the two-seater Jedi starfighter, and watched as Master Yoda jumped into the air and landed in his seat. "The only showoff, you are not Master Skywalker." The two shared one more laugh before they bid the planet farewell. They exited the atmosphere, and Anakin put in the hyperspace coordinates for Tatooine. Soon, the ship lurched forward and they were surrounded in the blue of the hyperspace lane.
*On Taris*
Padme hurried out of the Chancellor's office, simply wanting to leave. Leave this planet, leave this war, just leave. She'd take Luke and Leia, go to Dagobah and find Anakin, and they could leave. But as she walked down the hall of the Senate building, she knew that this was impossible. She entered her office to find Ahsoka waiting for her.
"Senator, what's wrong? Clearly Ahsoka used her Jedi abilities to feel where Padme was...
"Oh... I'll explain later. Let's just get out of here. We'll meet up with my mom and Sola. Get lunch... Sound good?" Ahsoka nodded in approval. And the two left.
They got into the speeder, which Padme insisted on flying, as she hadn't for a long time. She weaved through the traffic, noticing the similarities between Taris and Coruscant. They were so similar, in almost every way. Soon they arrived at the apartment, where Sola and her family had just gotten back and were talking with Ruwee and Jobal.
"The city is magnificent! I've never seen anything like it." Sola said to her mother.
"You never visited Coruscant Sola?" Padme asked as she entered with Ahsoka.
"Oh Padme! Why are you home so early?" Her mother asked.
"Oh... Not much happening. Figured I'd come home to grab lunch and take the rest of the day off."
"Great! Darred and your father were about to go out. We can have a girls lunch!"
Padme smiled, "Exactly what we were thinking."
As Ruwee and Darred, Sola's husband, left, Jobal entered the spacious kitchen and began cooking. She whipped up Padme's favorite 5-blossom bread, medallion-hound filet, and grilled veggies. As she finished up, she entered the living room where Padme, Sola, and Ahsoka were already deep in conversation.
"Darred can be sweet, but since the start of the wars, he's become too focused on it. It's kind of absorbing him."
"But people need to be aware of what's happening. You can't just go through life with your head down." Ahsoka replied, before the group noticed Jobal had finished and was putting food on the table.
"Thank you for lunch mom. 5 Blossom Bread!" Padme added quickly. Obviously trying to change the subject before it got any more heated. Padme knew as well as anyone that her sister enjoyed the life of a stay at home wife/mother. But she had learned long ago not to bring up politics in this family. It was very equally divided.
"Oh no trouble at all. What are we talking about?"
Before either Sola or Ahsoka could continue the conversation, Padme said: "Oh we were talking about the war, and how much I worry about Anakin."
"Really? You two have been doing this secretly for three years, it has to get easier." Sola said, once more signifying, once more, her ridiculous tactlessness.
Padme gave her a glare. "It does. But it doesn't change the fact I worry about him. He's always off on some distant world fighting for ideals. I just sometimes wish it could just be us... On some distant world." Jobal smiled, and blushed slightly as she realized something about her daughter that she had not known before.
"That's a laugh. Ha!" Sola said as she burst into giggles.
As angry as Padme was, she had learned how to dismiss the more silly things her sister said. As did everyone in the family. However, Ahsoka was not as accustomed to such, and called her on it. "Sola what is your problem?"
Sola had been in the midst of her laughing fit, when Ahsoka called her out. She had to take a moment to recover, before speaking. "I'm sorry, what?"
"I asked you what's your problem?" This time with more ferocity than before. "You seem to have your head buried in the sand about the war, and most things. And now you're teasing your own sister about her dreams?"
"Yes. So what? She knows its in good fun!"
"Please, Sola, Ahsoka, let's not-" Jobal attempted to end the conversation.
"No wait!" Sola said, "Padme, out with it. Do you not like me teasing you?"
"I don't like it no. But I deal with it because you're my sister. But you want to know what actually bugs me?" The room stayed quiet, "I wish you weren't such a housewife. I don't know what happened to my incredibly intelligent sister who could run circles around me in politics debates? You've become so obsessed with Darred and your kids, you've left yourself in the dust."
Sola stood there in amazement that her baby sister had finally stood up to her, Ahsoka in awe of Padme, and Jobal in nervousness of what would happen next. Slowly, Sola's eyes swelled up with tears. "Padme... If only you knew. Its so easy for you to stand here and tell me how bland and boring I've become. You be self-righteous all you like, you've only been a mother for a week! You'll soon learn being a mother means sacrificing other things. Dear sister." Sola finished her statement, dried her eyes, and left and went into her bedroom.
Padme looked at her mother, who shrugged, and hugged her, before retiring herself. Ahsoka gave her a smile, before leaving to go to the Jedi temple for a while. Padme, relaxed, and sat down on her bed, playing her son. She knew, as did Anakin, that these children would change their lives. But perhaps, more so than they expected. She watched her daughter nap, while her son did something most unusual. As they continued to play on her bed, Luke moved one of his toys. Without touching it. Both, mother and son, were amazed at what they saw. Luke, only a week old, saw magic in front of his eyes, while his mother saw her son showing his immense force potential already.
*Tatooine*
Anakin and Yoda exited hyperspace above Tatooine, and began their planned descent to Mos Eisley. Anakin looked out over his homeworld, with both despair and affection. Good memories and bad. Anakin thought of his step-brother, Owen, his last real connection to the planet. The starfighter slowly made its way through the planet's atmosphere and landed at the Mos Eisley spaceport.
As they exited, a man all too familiar appeared before them. "General Skywalker, a pleasure to see you again sir."
Anakin turned to see young Commander Zhar Roslo before them. "I thought I told you to never address me that way Commander."
"Sorry sir-I mean Anakin."
Anakin smiled and shook his friends hand. "Master Yoda, this is commander Roslo. We fought in the battle above Naboo." The small green man walked up to the young Twi'lek and shook his hand, and exchanged pleasantries before they exited the docking bay. "So what's the status here on Tatooine Zhar?"
"Things are looking good. All major cities and ports have been captured by the local government, and a constitutional convention is under way right now. Regardless of who is elected, the planet is likely to join the union." Anakin nodded at this news. "The problem lays in the deserts of the planet, which you no doubt know are large." All three men laughed as they entered a building. Several more Union officers paid their respects before they entered a private room where Master Mundi and Admiral Dodonna were meeting them. "But in all seriousness, that is where our problem is. The Hutts still have large amounts of influence here, and while their private army has been driven to the cities, they're making military camps in the deserts. We're planning on doing bombings in the coming days." But as he finished speaking, Master Mundi and Dodonna entered. Everyone shook hands before the real meeting began.
"As I'm sure Commander Zhar has begun explaining, we're in good shape here on Tatooine. But we're not quite done." Admiral Dodonna started.
"We're making plans to rid the planet of the Hutt clan mercenaries, and then help the planet build an infrastructure to help the fledging government."
"Who's going to be in charge here once the constitution is finalized?" Anakin asked.
Ki-Adi looked slightly surprised at the question, but answered, "Democratic elections will be held in all the major cities after the convention. But there seem to be two major blocks developing."
"What are they?"
"The more centralized and pro-business group, led by former Pod Racing champ, Woomba Jus. And... The more populist and pro-moisture farmers group led by... Owen Lars."
The news, hit Anakin strangely, but undoubtedly strong. His step-brother was a politician? "Really?"
"Apparently so. The revolution against the Hutts had two major groups. The part of the corrupt politicians the Hutts appointed, who turned on him in the hopes of gaining power. They brought the part of the real military into the rebellion. But your step-brother among others, led the movement among the farmers to rise up against the Hutts. These two groups seem to have kept their shape in the new government."
Anakin's step-brother was a warrior too? He couldn't wait to speak with him.
"He has asked to see you Master Skywalker, should the chance arrive. He's in the convention center till the evening, shall I leave word that you're here?" Anakin nodded in approval. "Very well. I'll see you all later at debrief and then council session." The three Jedi bid farewell while Admiral Dodonna formally introduced himself.
"I'm sorry General Skywalker, General Yoda, I'm Admiral Dodonna. Commander of the Union 3rd Fleet, and candidate for Minister of Defense." He added a prideful smile at the end of the statement.
"Well met Admiral. So what are your plans for getting rid of the remaining mercenaries?"
The two, with Master Yoda and Zhar sitting intently by, engaged in a large debate about military tactics and other things.
As time progressed on, day turned to night, and they called it a day. Anakin and Yoda were shown to their quarters, and bid each other good night. As Anakin entered his room, he turned on the light to see one young man, a little scruffy, with short-brown hair and a beard. A man he knew as, Owen Lars.
"Hello Anakin. It's good to see you." Owen said.
Anakin smiled in response, "Good to see you... brother?"
"Ha! I guess so. Everything in the Jedi going Ok for you?" Anakin nodded. "And that girl, Padme was it? Have you two...?"
Anakin laughed at the question, the two men sat down at a table, and Anakin proceeded to explain the events of the past 3 years, there was laughter, and a few yells, but all was well. Eventually Anakin asked: "So, I was told that you wanted to speak with me if you had the chance. Here we have the chance. So what's up?"
Owen gave a deep sigh, cleared his throat, and began. "Shortly after you left when your mother died, we found something important among her things." He pulled out a moderately sized journal, with many papers and other things sticking out, and put it on the table. "We found her diary. On the first page it is dedicated to you, and it says..." But Anakin was already reading it for himself.
"To my love and joy of my life, Ani. Take Care."
Tears swelled up in Anakin's eyes. He quickly cleared them, and placed his hand on Owen's shoulder. "Thank you." Owen replied with a quaint smile and a nod.
"As fun as tonight was, catching up with you. I must be off. I've got to get some rest for tomorrow. Day 4 of the Constitutional Convention." The two men hugged and said final goodbyes, before Owen departed.
Anakin closed the door, and collapsed on his bed. He sat there, motionless for what felt like an eternity, before he sat up marched across the room and sat down and opened up his mother's diary. He began reading it furiously and before long, he read her last entry. About one week before Anakin began having his bad dreams.
He sat back, taking everything in. Her mother's diary started when she was a child, and stretched until her last days. As Anakin went over different parts of his mother's history in his mind, he noticed something. He had grandparents? He opened the book back up and began reading the early parts. Anakin had been so mystified by the fact he had this, that he forgot to stop and realize this huge discovery. He had grandparents!
He read further and discovered that they died, and that's when his mother was sold into slavery. There names were Riyoh Skywalker and Setyeri Shan. He read more about them, but soon enough it was day break and Master Yoda entered the room.
"Ready to return to Taris, are you, Master Skywalker?"
Anakin nodded, but Yoda sensed something was amiss and approached the young Jedi. He peered over the book that he had been given by his step-brother. The two began to speak about certain parts of it. When Anakin spoke of his grandparents, and mentioned his grandmothers maiden name.
Shan. At the sound of it, Yoda seemed startled. "Shan, did you say, Master Skywalker?"
Anakin looked somewhat confused. "Yeah... Why?"
"Return to Taris, and our Jedi records that are there, we must." Yoda jumped up and quickly grabbed his things and departed for the docking bay. Anakin took a little longer, as he packed his mothers diary away in his things, he grabbed them all and followed Yoda. When they met up at the docking bay, Yoda was already in his seat in the starfighter. Anakin packed his things in the trunk, before jumping into the fighter as well.
"Master? What is so wrong with the name Shan."
"Wrong? Nothing is wrong Anakin..." He paused and looked out on the planet as the ship lifted off the ground. "The last name of a Jedi Grand Master, Shan is. That Shan, was a descendant of the great Jedi of the time. The Revanchist."
"The Revanchist? Who's that?"
"Among the greatest Jedi of our Order, he is. Left out order, and returned as the first great sith lord of the modern time, he did. Darth Revan. His lust for glory and pride, turned on him they did. Turned his will to the darkside, it did. He left a hero, he returned a conquerer. To the brink of destruction the galaxy became during his reign over the darkside, things became. But, thank the force, he was redeemed. A young Jedi Knight, named Bastila Shan, rescued Revan and with the aid of the Jedi Council retrained him as a Jedi, she did. To save the galaxy they traveled, world to world, but also, fell in love they did. If my suspicions are true Anakin, then there is more to you than meets the eye, there is."
Anakin watched Yoda jump into his seat in the fighter, and close his eyes. Heading into a meditative trance. Just as Anakin was about to get in as well, Zhar approached him from behind.
"Anakin! Off so soon?"
"Yes. I'm afraid so. We just came to check in on progress, and for me... For me-to well visit my family."
"I heard. And so it seems he'll become the first democratically elected Governor of Tatooine!"
"Really?" Anakin would find this very amusing, but also incredibly interesting. He also seemed to remember the elections hadn't been held yet.
"Well, we don't know yet. The constitution is still being finalized. But he's got much broader support than the opposition." The two men laughed.
"I still expect you to join my fleet once everything is settled." Zhar smiled and nodded in confirmation. "I'll see you on Taris soon my friend." The two shook hands and Anakin hopped into the cockpit of his starfighter, and took off. As he soared above the Tatooine deserts, he took one last, long, fateful look upon his home planet, and he smiled. Then, the ship lurched forward and Anakin was surrounded by blue.