Chapter Thirty-four:
When Obi Wan found Anakin, it was to a heartwarming sight of the man asleep in Luke's room, with two trays of food resting on the counter. Apparently the pair had spent the entire day together, which made Obi Wan happy for them both.
It gave Obi Wan pause to see the actual peaceful expression on Anakin's sleeping face— a rarity even in his younger days. Obi Wan didn't want to wait and yet... he didn't want to disturb his brother, so he decided to pass the time until Anakin woke.
Determined to get the ball rolling, Obi Wan began to lay out plans for Leia's rescue, trying to figure out the best way to locate the girl on Raxus Prime. It would certainly not be easy, but he was determined to do what he could for the young lady.
Turning, Obi Wan met with the medical personnel to see to Luke's release, and then returned to his room, where he began studying the information Artoo Detoo had on Raxus Prime.
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Anakin was first to wake, and after stretching he determined that Luke's breathing was far too deep to indicate he'd be waking anytime soon. Anakin wanted to freshen up, so he left after securing Luke's blanket about him better.
Then he was gone, returning to the hotel and noting that Han, Chewbacca and Dewlanna were already up and in the galley. None noticed Anakin as he passed, though he smiled softly at the banter passing between the teen and the Wookiees.
"You just haven't tasted my cooking yet, Chewie," Han was saying. "I may not be as good as Dewlanna, but I can whip something up."
[Would I want to eat it?] Chewie asked, eliciting chuckles from Dewlanna and grumbling from Han.
Anakin smirked, shaking his head and then hearing no more once he entered the turbolift. He stretched while the lift ascended, and promptly exited upon its arrival at his floor. Anakin's long stride made short work of the length of corridor to his room, and when he entered, he instinctively cast his eyes to the bed Obi Wan normally occupied. It was empty so Anakin began to think the elder man was already up for the day.
It wasn't until Anakin entered the room proper that he spotted an unusual sight: Obi Wan was hunched over the computer terminal, passed out cold and even snoring softly. Anakin was taken aback, since it was rare that Obi Wan fell asleep in such a manner. Anakin saw the mass of flimsiplast and reports strewn about the desk and stepped closer, curious as to what had the man so out of sorts.
At first nothing seemed amiss: reports on a planetary surface, the population centers, government...
Anakin paused when he read a little closer the terrain facts... and then he saw the name of the planet Obi Wan was studying: Raxus Prime.
His heart skipped a beat and with a pit growing in his stomach, Anakin picked through the reports, studying Obi Wan's notes with greater interest.
Small cities with protective domes... insulates from toxic atmosphere... no official slavery, but no laws against it either... planet-wide junkyard... Leia.
Anakin placed a hand to Obi Wan's shoulder and shook him carefully, working to stay calm. "Obi Wan." The Jedi stirred slightly, but didn't wake, so Anakin nudged harder. "Obi Wan."
This time the man started awake, looking about in confusion before his eyes landed upon Anakin. The other cleared his throat, straightening and responding at last. "Anakin."
Anakin indicated the mess. "What are you doing?"
Obi Wan sighed heavily, rubbing sleep from his eyes and straightening his robes. "I contacted Bail. You and Luke were correct: Leia is not safe with Bail. He lost her... two years ago."
Anakin didn't react immediately, the news not quite sinking in at first. Then instinctive anger rose, and he had to fight hard to tamp it down. He strove to think like a Jedi should. "Did he try to find Leia after he lost her?"
"He says he did, but I asked him why he did not contact me." Obi Wan thinned his lips. "His answer was less than acceptable. I came to tell you but you looked so relaxed," Obi Wan explained, "so I let you sleep and instead came to figure out what I could about Raxus Prime."
Anakin didn't snap at Obi Wan, who had only been thinking of Anakin's well-being. And his friend had been hard at work, so Anakin let it go. "What have you found out?"
"There are several small pockets of towns, but the main one is at the planet's equator." Obi Wan pulled up a map, indicating his finds. "There are no official laws against slavery, but I don't think it's exactly condoned either. I also looked up the local newspaper, trying to find anything useful. I did find something that could be useful: a man recently lost a girl he'd taken in as the man put it."
Anakin frowned. "That seems rather odd."
"I thought so too." Obi Wan nodded. "And while there is no name, there is a location." Obi Wan indicated a township more to the south, which was in a particularly nasty area of the planet. "I think we should begin there."
Anakin studied the place, and nodded. "Alright; I need to see if I can get Luke released, because I'm not leaving him."
"I've already taken care of that," Obi Wan replied. "He will be released tomorrow after he passes a final therapy exam today."
Anakin pursed his lips, pondering. It would have to do, and it would give them time to pack up and prep the ship. "Thank you, Obi Wan."
"I'm sorry I delayed the search for her." Obi Wan looked down. "I was responsible for Leia also, as I had taken it upon me to watch over both your children."
Anakin placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You did what you thought was right. I'm not angry with you." He took a closer look at Obi Wan. "But I think you should get some sleep."
Obi Wan hesitated, but then nodded. "You're right. Wake me if I sleep too long."
Anakin smirked. "Sure."
Obi Wan rolled his eyes and flopped into bed, closing his eyes and breathing out a sigh.
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Luke could hardly contain his excitement. He was finally getting out of here! He forced himself to pay attention as the medic gave Luke his discharge instructions.
"Make sure you take it easy still for a while." The being gave Luke a stern look. "You may be healed most of the way, but too much strenuous activity too soon will land you right back in the med ward."
Luke grimaced. "I'll be careful."
"Be sure to eat normally each day, to maintain your health as it is and will be again," the medic continued, "and exercise daily too so your muscles can fully rebuild themselves. Follow the routine you've been doing in therapy for that."
Luke nodded. "Alright."
The medic looked to him and then Anakin. "Do either of you have any further questions?"
Both shook their heads, though Anakin extended a hand. "Thank you for all you have done."
"He has been a good patient." The medic accepted the hand and then gave Anakin a set of flimsiplast sheets. "Here are his discharge directions in writing. Please be careful young man." The medic looked to Luke.
"I will do my best," Luke said honestly. "And thanks."
The medic smiled softly, dipped his head and bowed out to allow the patient to take his leave. Luke looked eagerly to Anakin. "Ready?"
Anakin chuckled. "Absolutely."
Luke stepped through the door first, trying not to run in his excitement to be free of the hospital. "Where are we going?" he asked in curiosity.
Anakin was quiet a moment, then gestured. "I'll tell you in a little while, but we need to get on the ship, because time is of the essence."
Luke frowned at the cryptic reply, but heeded the directive. "Okay, but is something wrong?"
Shrugging slightly, Anakin stalled for time. When they arrived at the hangar, Anakin looked up to see Han and the others already boarding the ship. Han saw Luke and jogged forward, his lopsided grin in place.
"Luke!" Han clapped Luke into a hearty embrace. "It's good to see ya out and about!"
Luke returned the hug with equal fervor. "It's great to be free!"
Dewlanna was there too then, hugging both of the boys she considered to be hers. [I'm so glad we're together again.]
The threesome laughed, broke apart and moved to the ship together. Obi Wan offered Luke a warm smile when he saw the youth enter the ship.
"Luke, it's good to see you." The Jedi greeted Luke.
"Hi Obi Wan." Luke waved, and then nodded to Chewbacca. "Chewie.
Once they were all settled into their seats for takeoff, Anakin and Obi Wan took the cockpit controls. Anakin started the engines, ran through his pre-flight checklist and then lifted his ship from the ground. In no time at all the ship was gliding gracefully into the vacuum of space.
He flew to the jump point, looked to Artoo, who indicated the coordinates were set, and then pushed he hyperspace lever. Once they were fully on their way, with all checklists done, Anakin stood and turned to leave the cockpit. Obi Wan followed, and Anakin paused when he saw Luke with his friends.
The boy looked so much happier now, and it warmed Anakin's heart. Thinking of the news he had yet to share with Luke, Anakin chewed on his lip briefly. Eventually Luke seemed to realize he was being watched, because he looked up, his eyes meeting Anakin's.
"Dad!" Luke beamed at the man, rising from his seat and coming forward. "Han said all the kids under Garris have been rescued. Is that true?"
Anakin nodded. "Yes. Adriav Pic saw to that once he was settled with Piett."
Luke looked thoughtful. "I'm glad. Can you tell me what's going on?" he added a little cautiously. "You seemed... not to want to talk about it."
Anakin patted Luke's shoulder. "Only because I wanted privacy. And I wasn't sure how you'd take the news."
Luke was puzzled. "What news?"
Anakin glanced to Obi Wan and then moved Luke to sit down, making sure the others could hear. "Luke, I should thank you."
Luke blinked, taken aback. "Me? What did I do?"
Anakin tilted his head in a peculiar manner. "Are you still having those visions?"
Luke instantly grew somber, his demeanor shifting noticeably. "Yes," he whispered.
Anakin grimaced inwardly at the reaction. "The girl you keep seeing...
"Girl?" Han queried from his seat, looking between the two Skywalkers. "What girl?"
Luke shifted. "I've been having nightmares involving a girl."
Han seemed about ready to make his normal smart remark when Anakin held up a warning hand.
"... we're going to rescue her." Anakin finished. He didn't know why but he wasn't ready yet to inform Luke of the boy's relationship to Leia. He wanted that to be done when he had both twins in person. "I never would have known she was in danger if you hadn't said something. SO thank you."
Luke looked down, contemplative, and Anakin allowed the youth to take his time. "I get to help, right?"
Anakin nodded. "Of course, but you will need to stay close to Obi Wan and I." Anakin looked to Han also. "That includes you."
Han gave an odd look. "Why are we rescuing this girl? What's going on with her?"
"She's in big trouble, Han," Luke answered, almost as though he were pleading. "I have to help her."
Han was quiet a moment, though when he shifted his gaze to Anakin, the older man nodded almost imperceptibly. Han realized then that there was more going on here than was being let on. And the look in Luke's eyes was too earnest to turn down.
Han punched Luke's shoulder amiably. "Of course I'll help. We're a team, remember?"
Luke grinned. "One of the best ever!"
Han nodded crisply. "Yes sir."
Anakin snorted softly, but let them be. "We should be there in a few hours, so in the meantime let's review what we know."
Obi Wan took his cue and stepped forward to deliver the information Anakin and he already knew.
Later, once everyone had settled down, Anakin sat alone in the cargo hold, meditating and trying to center himself. He would not allow his emotions to rule him as before. Anakin would never again give in to his Dark Side tendencies. No matter how it pained him, he had vowed to stay firmly ensconced in the Light.
Padmé would approve, and he knew that if he had her sanction, he would be fine. Anakin promised her spirit that he would not rest until their daughter was safe with him.
Anakin smiled when he felt an answering warmth, grateful for that gift from the Force.