I decided to go ahead and post the next chapter as well, tonight. Things are looking up, but there is still sorrow and pain in the Order.
Chapter 21
Master Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi could neither move nor breathe. His entire universe was now the size of his heart, the same heart that was clenched in despair, consumed by a searing pain that was destroying him. There was nothing else, only this white-hot agony...
"Master Kenobi?" Senator Organa ventured, touching Obi-Wan's sleeve. When there was no response, Bail turned to Yoda with an unspoken question.
Yoda shook his head sadly and focused his concentration to break through to the young Master. He had known Kenobi and Skywalker were close, too close really, but he had no idea Kenobi's response to this sad news would be so severe. Obi-Wan...Obi-Wan, listen to me. Let go of the pain. Slowly, Obi-Wan's eyes lost their glazed look, and began to focus on the diminutive Jedi Master before him. Hot tears welled in them; he shut them tightly and turned his head away.
"Grieve, you must, Obi-Wan," Yoda said, not without feeling, "as do I for the Chosen One. But, rejoice as well, for his destiny he has fulfilled."
Obi-Wan nodded, silently, and grieved. He barely heard Organa's comm link chime. Snippets of the conversation came to him.
"Yes, Padme, what can I do?"
"...gave an order to the clone commanders to kill..."
"Yes, I know... managed to get away and are with me on the Tantive IV."
"Anakin says..." What? Anakin says? Obi-Wan stopped breathing. "...need you to take over the leadership and rescind Palpatine's order."
"Order 66!" Obi-Wan stood slowly, turning to Senator Organa in disbelief as he heard his brother's shout. Then, again, bringing joy to his heart: "Contact us on my link, Senator. We're on our way to the Temple."
Yoda and Obi-Wan spun to face each other; Yoda's face crinkled with pleasure; Obi-Wan burst out laughing. Bail could only watch them in wonder, as he entered the clone commanders' frequency.
"Commander Cody here."
"Commander, this is Senator Bail Organa."
"Why are you contacting us on this frequency, Senator? This is for the Supreme Chancellor's use only."
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is dead, Commander," Organa said. "In accordance with the articles of the Constitution of the Republic, I have assumed interim leadership of the Republic until a new Supreme Chancellor can be elected. I am ordering you to rescind Order 66 immediately."
"I must have independent confirmation of the situation, Senator. I can't take that step without it."
"Commander Cody," Bail said in his most commanding voice, "you will rescind Order 66 now! If the Army of the Republic continues to attack and kill any more Jedi Knights, you will be held personally responsible and you will be tried for treason and for disobeying a direct order!"
Cody said nothing for a few moments. "Very well, Senator, I will comply. Order 66 will be rescinded."
"Very good, Commander. Get the word out immediately! Dismissed." He cut the connection and, with a deep breath, nodded at Yoda and Obi-Wan.
Anakin helped Dorme into the back seat of his speeder; before he helped Padme in, they embraced and shared a kiss. "I love you," Padme whispered. "And I love you," he replied. After she was seated, he stepped in himself, and started the speeder. Turning to the ladies, he said, "Now, I want you both to stay as low as you can, in case Senator Organa isn't able to stop the clones." And off they flew toward the Jedi Temple.
As they circled above the Temple, they could see there was still a battle going on near the main entrance. "We'll land on the upper landing deck," he said, angling toward it. "Remember, stay low." There were eight clone troopers on the landing deck and all were watching the speeder's descent, blasters at the ready.
Stopping the speeder as far away as possible, Anakin stepped out and faced the clones. Four of them knelt and all began firing. In an instant, Anakin's lightsaber was activated and in his hand, whirling as it deflected the blaster fire. Running toward the clones, he Force-pushed with his left hand and all eight of them flew backward, all but two flying completely off the landing deck. Redirecting the Force energy, Anakin called the blasters of those two toward himself, then back to lie near the speeder.
He motioned the two clones into a small office used by the landing deck padawans; once they were inside, he melted the lock with his lightsaber, making it impossible for them to escape. Padme and Dorme were already nearing him as he turned around, both armed with the troopers' blasters.
"Wait here," he said. "I'm going to check over the side." Just as he turned, his comm link chimed. "Go ahead," he spoke into it.
"Anakin," said a familiar voice, "do you copy?"
"Obi-Wan! You're all right," Anakin replied, emotionally.
"And you, my friend. Good news, Senator Organa has convinced the clone commanders to stand down. The new order is going out even now."
"That's great, Obi-Wan. Are you on your way here?"
"Yes, we'll be there very soon. Be careful, Anakin, not all of them may have gotten the word, yet."
"We will, Obi-Wan. May the Force be with you."
"And may the Force be with you, Anakin. Kenobi out."
He turned to Padme and they shared a meaningful look; they were happy their friend was alive and safe.
Anakin looked over the edge of the landing deck and saw no blaster fire; in fact, the clone troopers had formed up near the speeder lot. A commander appeared to be addressing them. "It looks like they've heard down there," he said to Padme and Dorme when he returned. "Still, we should be cautious. There could be some inside who haven't gotten the word." The three entered the Temple and took a lift to the main level.
Nearing the main entrance, Anakin paused to call on the Force. Padme watched as her husband closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His head fell back and he took a steadying step backward. She wondered what was happening to him. He opened his eyes as a pained expression came over his face.
Turning to them, he said, haltingly, "There are many dead...in the Temple, mostly the...padawans." He paused and took a breath. "I think they tried to hide the younglings in the storage rooms below the main floor." He looked off to the side. "Master Windu is badly injured. Come."
He hurried down the corridor to where the Jedi Master was leaning unconscious against the wall. Aside from Mace's severed right hand, Anakin could see that he'd taken a blaster hit low on the left side of his back. He knelt and touched his shoulder. "Master Windu, it's Anakin Skywalker. Can you hear me?" Windu stirred and said, hoarsely, "Anakin, I...didn't expect to see you alive... What happened?"
"Palpatine is dead. I'll fill you in later, Master. We need to get you to the healers, if any are still... How—how many Knights are alive, Master?" he asked.
Windu shook his head, saying, "Very few, if any, Anakin. I lost track as we were trying to fight them off. They entered the temple...many were killed before we could..." His dropped his gaze. "So many...so young..." He fell unconscious. Once again, Anakin placed his hand on Windu's forehead and called the healing power of the Force to him. The Jedi Master would still need care, but this would help strengthen him.
He stood and turned to speak to the ladies, but they were no longer with him. Scanning the area, he saw that they were attending to the injured nearby. "Padme, be careful of the clones," he said, as he walked to her side. "Any that are still in the temple may be hostile." She looked up and nodded. "I will, my love," she replied, as she squeezed his hand.
Anakin looked sadly around at the fallen Jedi and padawans. Some of the injured gazed up at him, their eyes telling a tale of pain and suffering and wounded souls. As he headed toward the corridor to reach the storage area, he felt a hand brush his glove; a young man looked up at him with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Master Skywalker," he said, painfully. "We couldn't stop them, there were so many." Anakin knelt by him and touched his shoulder. "It's all right, padawan. You did the best you could. It's over now. Stay here and rest; you'll be seen to soon."
He sighed as he stood and continued on. As he neared the entrance to the storage area, he realized there were several bodies blocking it. They were all young men and women, some still in their teens. Sorrow overcame him and he fell to his knees in pain. "Why did this have to happen?" he whispered to no one. "None of them deserved this...I should have seen it, I should have seen that Palpatine was evil."
"Master Skywalker?" He heard a quiet voice, and felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up he saw a young girl, the same padawan who had fetched him to the Council chamber so many months ago. "Seka? Are you all right?" he asked, brushing tears away from his face, and rising to his feet. "Yes, Master," she replied, her own eyes brimming. "I'm glad you're here. Is it over?" He nodded and said, "Yes, it's all over. Here, help me with this."
Together they carefully moved to the side the bodies of the padawans who had died defending the entrance to the storage area. Anakin opened the door and looked inside. Four young men and women were there, poised and ready to attack; when they saw him, then relaxed their stance and lowered their lightsabers. "Master Skywalker!" one young man cried. "What happened? Is it safe to bring the younglings out?"
"I believe it is, but let's keep them here awhile longer, until we're sure. You were all very brave to do what you've done. I am proud of you," he said, looking at each of them. He could see the younglings further down the hall. "Stay here with them until someone comes for you." "Yes, Master."
Then Anakin focused on the temple, itself; he could sense no clone troopers anywhere within, so he returned to the large hall just inside the main entrance and continued to look for and comfort the wounded.
Bail Organa, Yoda and Obi-Wan stepped from the Tantive IV shuttle outside the Jedi Temple's entrance. Organa moved toward the phalanx of clone troopers and approached the commander, who turned and saluted him.
"Commander Tiro, Senator. We are standing down as per your order," he reported, standing at attention.
"Very good, Commander," Organa answered. "Are there any more troopers inside the Jedi Temple?"
"Negative, Senator."
"Good. Your unit's medics will assist with the wounded here. Check everywhere in the Temple, as well."
"Yes, sir!" Tiro replied, saluting and turning toward his men. Organa returned to the two Masters. "They will help with the wounded."
Looking up at him, Yoda replied, "Thank you, Senator. A very sad day, it is."
"That it is, indeed, Master Yoda."
Obi-Wan headed toward the temple entrance, for he had seen Anakin moving about inside. He stopped as he passed inside, stunned by the sight before him. As he looked at the awful scene, he noticed Padme looking at him. She gave him a sad smile and raised her hand; he returned her small wave. He watched her walk toward Anakin, who was kneeling by someone; she touched him on the shoulder and he rose and took her into his arms.
"Padme," Anakin breathed, holding her tightly. "I know," she said, "it's terrible." They held each other for a long time; Anakin lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "How did this happen, Padme? Why didn't we see it? Why didn't I see it?" She touched his face and answered, "Anakin, evil hides itself from us, from the light. This isn't your fault, my love." She saw the torment in his eyes. "Anakin—"
"Hello," a familiar voice said. They turned and saw Obi-Wan standing a short distance away. "Obi-Wan," Padme said, "it's good to see you." Anakin went to him and the two Jedi embraced.
They gazed at each other and Obi-Wan said, "I thought you were dead, my brother." "I thought you were dead," Anakin replied, smiling a little as they separated. They watched as the clone medics entered and started treatment of the wounded. Anakin held his arm out for Padme, and he placed his arm over her shoulder as the three of them walked from the Temple toward Senator Organa and Yoda.
"Senator, Master Yoda," Anakin said to the diminutive Master, as he released Padme. "I am glad you are here and alive."
Leaning on his gimer stick, Yoda replied, "Glad I am to see you, as well, young Skywalker. But a terrible day it has been for all of us." He paused. "Much has changed for our Order. Speak of it, we will, in my quarters."
"Yes, Master," Anakin said. "But first I must take Senator Amidala and her handmaiden back to their apartment."
"Go, then," Yoda said. "Return when they are safe."
"I'll walk along with you," said Obi-Wan, as they headed for Anakin's speeder. Padme motioned for Dorme to join them. "So," Obi-Wan continued, "can you tell me what happened? The Chancellor...the Sith lord is dead?"
"Yes," Anakin answered, "but too late to stop all of this." Obi-Wan glanced at him, and saw that he seemed exhausted. They stepped into a lift and rode it to the top floor. "I'm so tired, Obi-Wan, I'll tell you and Master Yoda everything that happened here when I return."
"Of course." Obi-Wan helped Dorme into the back seat, and Anakin held the door for Padme to sit in the front passenger seat. "Perhaps you should get some sleep, Anakin, and see Master Yoda when you're rested."
"No, I'll come back tonight, as soon as they are safely home," he said, starting the speeder. Obi-Wan waved and watched them leave.
As they flew along, Padme laid her hand on her husband's arm and said, "I wish you would sleep for awhile, Anakin. You're look exhausted."
"I'll be fine, my love," he replied, smiling down at her worried face. "By the way, I have some good news, but now isn't the time. I'll tell you later, after I'm finished here."
She looked at him with a question on her lips, but he shook his head. "Later, I'll tell you later. It will make you happy, I think."
On Padme's private landing deck, Anakin helped the two ladies out of the speeder and walked them into the apartment. "Goodnight, Dorme," Padme said to her friend. "Sleep as long as you like." Dorme said goodnight and entered her room.
Padme put her arms around him and asked, "Why can't you tell me now?" "Tell you what?" he asked, innocently. "Anakin," she said, "you said you had some good news. Please tell me now."
He pretended to pull away from her, saying, "Oh, I've forgotten what it was. Guess you'll have to wait until I remember it."
"Oh, no you don't. I won't let go of you until you tell me," she said, stamping her foot, and clasping her hands behind him.
He laughed and said, "All right, if you insist." He waited a few seconds. "We're going to have twins."
Her eyes grew wide. "What? Twins? How do you know?"
He looked at her straight and asked, "Tonight, while you were sitting here on the sofa, did you sense anything?"
She thought for a few seconds, then replied, "Yes, it was a good feeling, a wonderful feeling, as if you were there with me, holding me." She tilted her head. "Was it you?"
"Yes, it was me. It's hard to explain, but...something happened to me tonight in the Council chamber. I... Master Windu told me to stay there while they went to arrest the Chancellor. I can't really explain what happened, but Qui-Gon Jinn came to me, you remember him?"
"Well, yes, but how—"
"He's alive in the Force, Padme, I'm not sure how," he said, his look saddening a bit, " and I don't know if he still is. But he helped me to see the true power of the Force, and to be able to use it fully. It's incredible, Padme. From the Council chamber I could see everything in the Temple and everything outside, and... Well, too much, really, but I was able to see you here and to...well, let you know that I was here, too."
She put her arms around him and whispered, "I knew it was you."
"I wanted you to know I love you," he said, nuzzling her hair. "I'm so sorry for what I said and did before I left, Padme. I was so determined to save you from my vision, I would have done anything. But...everything you said to me kept coming back to me while I was in the chamber, I was just going crazy. I couldn't keep you out of my head." He stepped back and looked into her eyes. "You saved me, Padme. You kept me from going after Master Windu to stop him from killing the Chancellor." He leaned down and kissed her, holding her tightly. "That's when Qui-Gon came to me. He said I was ready for all the Force could give me. When I was here with you, I could feel our babies. I knew there were two, a girl and a boy." He smiled at her.
Her eyes brimming with tears, she hugged him. "Oh, Anakin, I can't believe it. I never even thought..." She wept against him for a short time, and then asked, "When can we go home, my love? Let's go home and live our own lives. I'm so tired of this place, the politics, the war."
"We will, sweetheart," he said, "we'll go home soon, I promise. I need to talk to Master Yoda and Obi-Wan." She walked with him back to the speeder. "I'll be back as soon as I can. You go to bed and get some sleep. I'll join you soon."
She kissed him goodbye and watched him fly away.