Chapter 14

Location: Sabe's and Obi-wan's Apartment

Imperial City

Day 1 Month 8 Year 24 BBY

Anakin hulls an oversized metal crate of possessions up the second flight of stairs in the apartment building. The lift had gone out that morning and Anakin saw it as a sign that Karma and the force are beginning to shine against him. He hulls the crate up the steps and reaches the corridor which his former roommate and his fiancée' are moving into. The apartment building was a moderate complex with several middle class officers who worked in the same R&D department as Ben. The price on the apartment was moderate and affordable since Sabe did not work any longer and Ben made a fair amount of credits.

Anakin's footsteps can be heard thumping away as he reaches the last apartment door on the left-hand side. His eyes stare at the metal gray doorway and he knocks or rather kicks the door with his foot. His hands are full and he cannot ring the doorbell at this time. The door slides open to reveal Sabe's smiling face and she gestures Anakin to their new home. Anakin attempts a warm smile back and his eyes wander around the spacious apartment.

The apartment's living quarters had a built in kitchen which is attached directly into the living room. The dining room is small, but large enough to accommodate at least four people if needed at a table. The floors are made out of a wood from Naboo which must have been quite expensive to have been imported in. The walls are painted in lavish blues, and greens- all the wondrous colors of a Nabian's home; all reminders of his own childhood home.

Sabe offers him a glass of water from the sink. Anakin eagerly takes it and downs the glass. Sabe smiles at him and suggests, " You have worked hard today. Thank you for helping us move."

Anakin grins at her and states out of affection, "No problem. It's not every day I get my space back to myself."

Ben's voice scoffs to him as he enters the kitchen with a screw driver in hand, "I know how much you want to be rid of me. It hurts my feelings."

Ben's mocking tone makes his friend turn to him. Anakin presses his hand over his heart and says out of sarcasm, "I am touched, but you're no longer a bachelor."

Ben smiles at him and jokes, "That is true, but I think you wanted your place to yourself so you can bring home a woman at any time."

Sabe' places her hands on her hips and mutters, " If you knew how to stay in a relationship long enough, you might be happy."

Anakin's eyes fall onto Sabe's golden ones. She was concerned about him and his recent dating life; the nonexistent dating life. Anakin on an occasion would bring home a woman for a one night stand, but never for anything other than a sexual encounter. Ben had told Sabe that his crazy work hours were to blame. But Sabe didn't buy it. Ben worked just as many hours a week and still managed to keep their relationship intact. She thought of Anakin like a little brother and worried for his sake. It was no secret that many women whispered amongst themselves about the fair Inquisitor of the Imperial Navy.

Padme' had told Sabe of several of her co-workers drooled over any idea of being close to the man. It wasn't like he didn't have a reputation as a fairly decent employee of the Emperor. In fact, the Emperor held him in high esteem for all of the rebels who had pleaded for their lives with Anakin at the helm of their questioning.

Anakin eyes the young couple and how normal their relationship was compared to his with his counterpart. Sabe' and Ben are affection with one another- they have built a friendship around their love as well. They work well together and trust one another. On the other hand, he and Padme' had a relationship that could be rocky at times. They may have a deep profound friendship but there are times… when Anakin would rather torture a prisoner than deal with his best friend. She had changed much in the last few months. Her weakened state with Rush was over. Her strong mentality had returned along with her confidence. She could handle many things, but her heart suffered. She no longer felt the need to allow anyone near her emotions. She trusted men as far as she can throw them- including Anakin. There were times they had fought over who would pay for their meals. There were times she pulled away from his embrace when he tried to hug her too. He knows he cannot become too attached to her as well. It is pointless to even try…. He had tried to not give up on the dream that one day she might wake up from this nightmare and perhaps allow him in. That wasn't anytime soon.

Sabe frowns as she observes the grimace forming on her friend's face. She eyes the blue eyed young man and questions, "Your worried about her, aren't you?"

Anakin's thoughts snap back to his reality. His eyes steady on his two friends and he says, "Yes, she has never lived alone before. Perhaps it would be better for her to have a roommate."

Sabe shrugs and states, "I told her the same. But she reassured me she needs to be alone right now. I don't see how it is good for her. I'm worried she's shutting all of us out."

Anakin nods in agreement. Padme' had distanced herself since her last encounter with her ex-husband. Anakin's frown deepens as he remembers the information he had received the day before. Rush Clovis had been sighted on his home planet a week prior. He had made some sort of deal with the Banking Clan and had left without a trace once more. Anakin had an idea where he had gone. There are rumors floating around that he is using his inheritance to construct some sort of weapon for the Empire. Anakin had asked Inquisitor Maul about this deal and he had murmured something along the lines of "It doesn't concern you." It didn't if Rush had been pardoned by the Emperor for his crimes, which he highly thought to be possible. If Padme' found out about this-kriff knows what she might do…. Though Anakin didn't think she would go to the extreme of killing him. She might try to kick his ass though….

Ben eyes his friend and states, "You haven't told her yet about Rush."

Anakin grips the glass in his hand tighter and mutters, "I don't know how to tell her."

Sabe's lips thin and she utters, "You shouldn't right now. Padme's in a dark place… I don't want her to do anything rash."

Anakin shakes his head and states, "I know … I keep debating with myself on how to approach her with this knowledge."

Ben shrugs and murmurs, "Perhaps for now it shall remain between us. Now, Anakin don't you have a flight to catch?"

Anakin smiles at the mention of his evening spectacle. He had an important mission to complete that evening. A mission not of Imperial knowledge as of yet; a job Vader had to complete. He had a rally point to meet a rebel band of the alliance to seek assistance. They had heard of his work and thought his radical ideals would be helpful to their movement. His was meeting with a particular leader on Tatootine in a day's time.

His smile fades at the mention of the planet he called home for four years of his life. It was also the planet he had last seen his mother on. He has no idea of her status of life or yet even the possibility if she is alive or not. He hadn't thought about her in years- the Naberrie's had become his family and had treated him well- more than he ever thought he deserved.

" Anakin? Are you in there?" Sabe's hand fans across his line of vision.

Anakin blinks back his thoughts and smiles at her. He apologizes, " Sorry Sab's. I got lost in thought. I probably should be on my way and get packed for my trip."

Ben pats his friend's shoulder and gestures to the doorway. " I'll walk you out."

Anakin leads the way to his friend's new place and slides the door open with a use of the force. He smiles and suggests, " Don't worry about me old friend. I'll be fine."

Ben's concerned gray eyes watch his old friend closely. He murmurs, " Your going to be the death of me, you know that?"

Anakin chuckles as he responds, " Surely I hope not. I'll let you know what I find out."

Ben pats his friend's shoulder and says, " May the force be with you."

Anakin bows his head slightly and says, " And with you."

The door slides shut as Anakin leaves his friend's apartment. He has work to do and not enough to do complete it in…..

Location: Outskirts of Mois Esiley

Tatooine

Day 8 Month 6 Year 24 BBY

The twin suns would rise in a little over an hour's time. The hissing sound of the suit's ventilator keeps Vader's steps in time with his breathing. The sounds coming out as breathe's would scare the living daylights out of any normal child or being for that matter. Vader's black holes of eyes stay perched on the man in front of him. The rebel was none other than a Jedi Knight Ferus Olin.

Ferus has a reputation on the Imperial fleet as a savior of sorts. At 28 years old, the Captain had his own starship to command and several Imperial officers under him. He is one of the best according to Imperial Naval Academy's records. His plans and tactics had changed and altered battle history.

As a trained Jedi and rebel, he has the abilities to change the course of battle. It is a rare gift to have as a force sensitive. Vader himself did not have this kind of gift. Battle meditiation to years to control and Ferus had been found as a small boy, so he had been trained to use his force gifts for more than Vader had.

Ferus eyes the black armored man with caution. His superiors had heard about Vader's work to save the Endor's fleet and they had been greatful for his actions. Lord Vader may dress the part of what the fairy tales would call a " Sith Lord" but he was a hero compared to those stories villians.

" You must be Lord Vader, it is a pleasure to meet the hero of Endor."

The hissing breathing sounds escapes the amored man's chest. Lord Vader's voice is low as he states, " It was nothing, now the rebels have requested this meeting to seek out my help. What do they need?"

Ferus pulls out a package from his sachtel and hands the datapad to the black suited being. He wanders what is under that suit of amor and cannot tell if it is a humanoid or another sort of being. Though he can feel the force flowing through this character.

Vader takes the datapad and his eyes scan the data pouring out of it. Ferus begins, " It seems the Emperor has ordered a serect portion of the Imperial Fleet to begin constructing some sort of Imperial Battle Station. The Emperor is asking for several members of presiatge families to support his Battle Station."

Lord Vader's chest tightens at the mention of this station. It had only been yesterday where he had heard Maul discussing these plans with another officer. If this was true…. Then the rebellion fleet would be annilated by this Imperial Battle Station. Lord Vader asks, " And what does the rebellion want me to do?"

Fersus says quietly, " Investiagte who might have the plans for this Battle station and retrieve them for us. I know this may take some time, but any leads that my arise follow them."

Lord Vader sighs and mutters, " This may take me months to uncover. And what does the rebellion want me to do with the people involved?"

Ferus' eyes darken at the mention of murdering another living being. He says darkly, " Your orders are to investigate this matter and do whatever must be done to those involved."

Lord Vader eyes the young man and suggests, " You disagree with your superior's orders."

Ferus bites his tougue and murmurs, " I am not allowed to share my opinion. I am only following orders. I will meet with you again in a month's time to see how your progress is going."

Lord Vader nods his head and says, " It will be done."

To Be Continued.