The Chosen
A Collection of Star Wars Stories of Different Paths
"The Chosen" is the title I use to specify all of my Star Wars fan fictions. These stories are meant to take place in different Universes in which I try to rationalize how the story of Anakin Skywalker could have been if different choices had been made throughout the Prequel Trilogy.
Everything belongs to Lucasfilm - all disclaimers apply
After the grueling Clone Wars have come to a terrible crossroad, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala are now left alone, in a frightening absence of obstructions, to come face to face with the deep affections that were never faced before. The Jedi Council - after learning of Sidious' attempts to seduce Skywalker to the dark side - took the opportunity to keep the young Jedi Knight away from the dark Lord after an attempted kidnapping was made on the Senator of Naboo. Unknown to Anakin, the attempted kidnapping of the Senator had happened due to very specific reasons… reasons, which upon learning, tears down the young man's resolve completely.
The Unbroken Vow of a Jedi: Chapter 1
In the Wake
This story takes place canonically at the middle of Revenge of the Sith, however, in this Universe, Anakin and Padmé forced themselves to refrain from being together. Therefore, their marriage never happened here. Due to this fracture in their relationship, there is a friction between them. Despite this, Anakin never had a definite reason to turn to the dark side and follow Palpatine since Padmé did not become pregnant during the end of the Clone Wars in this Universe.
Anakin stared at the state of the Senator's apartments, all exhaustion forgotten. There were layers of soot on his face, traces of rubble on his shoulders, blots of singed blood on his hands. The young morning light that shined though the regal windows of the penthouse spoke volumes of the exhaustion he felt. He knew why he was here, why it was him specifically that was called away from the chaos that the Temple, his home, was now recovering from. He had thought surely that at least his informing Master Windu of Sidious' true identity… or perhaps rather of Palpatine's true identity… would have earned the young Jedi some long-awaited trust.
But it had only seemed to increase the distrust, despite Windu's promise. The grimace that was stapled into his face had been there ever since he had been forced to leave Obi-Wan.
During the Raid on the Temple: 2 Hours Ago
The dust was beginning to settle, leaving despair to fill up the vacuum as the surviving Jedi stood within the Temple in various positions of defense and shock, their lightsabers still ignited before them. The Temple floor was congested with the corpses of their violent ex-comrades. Not a single Jedi wasn't looking at a fallen trooper in deep, trance-like contemplation of what had just happened.
Anakin remembered one of the troopers he had slain - one with a neat, proud-looking "501" marked on the front of their chest plate.
Fives' voice impounded itself into the heartbeat he felt in his eardrums.
"Obi-Wan," Anakin croaked as he leaned against the Jedi master behind him, his lightsaber falling into a place at his side as his hands went limp.
During the battle, Obi-Wan had suddenly appeared at Anakin's side, finally returning from his mission on Utapau after Anakin's broadcast was sent out from the Jedi temple, commanding all Jedi by order of Master Windu to return to Coruscant to protect their home and the Youngling Jedi. He had found his place at Anakin's back instinctively, as Anakin had found his back, always regrouping together in battles.
He felt Obi-Wan's back remain stiff.
"Reignite your lightsaber, Anakin. We do not know if the battle has truly passed yet."
"They were my men - our men. Fives… Fives had tried to warn me. He tried to warn Rex, but we didn't listen. And now Rex is with Ahsoka…"
"Focus your mind to the here and now, Anakin," Obi-Wan warned.
"She will not kill him, even if it costs her her life, Master-"
"I trust in Ahsoka; you must as well."
Anakin sighed. "I do."
"Then come; we must secure the perimeter. We must be the first line of defense."
"I agree," And with straightened shoulders, Anakin followed his old Master into the darkness of Coruscant.
Standing at the entrance of the temple, Anakin and Obi-Wan were the first to see a ship glimmer in the dark sky above them; it was a Jedi shuttle.
Anakin could feel Yoda and Windu's presence. He gritted his teeth, unhappy especially to see Master Windu, but glad to see the little green Master safely return from Kashyyyk. The last he had seen of Master Windu, however, was when he ordered him to return to the Jedi Temple almost eight hours ago. But Anakin could hardly remember the details.
When they exited the droid-piloted ship, Windu's steely gaze was concentrated on Anakin.
"Skywalker; I am glad to see that you can follow some orders." He said, his stare unrelenting.
Anakin returned the hard stare, and Obi-Wan put his hand on his chest in response and asked, "What do you mean, Master?"
"I mean, that I gave him direct orders to remain within the Council Chambers, to wait for us to return after capturing Sidious." He said coolly. "And yet, he returned to the Chancellor's office, disobeying my orders."
Anger slapped Anakin's chest. His voice was deadly quiet. "You would have died if it weren't for me." Every single Jedi would have died if it weren't for me.
Windu turned his head in awe at Anakin, his jaw grinding.
"Matters, this does not." Yoda said after a moment of molten silence. "Not now. Over, it is. Dead, the dark lord of the Sith is. Lifting from the air around us, the shroud of the dark side is."
At this point, Obi-Wan dropped his arm from Anakin's chest to look at him. "Anakin, what did you-"
"I did what I had to!" Anakin seethed. "I killed him! You would have done the same."
Obi-Wan pondered for a moment before nodding and looking back at Windu. "I agree, I would have."
Blue eyes looked down in shock at blue eyes. Obi-Wan's was bright with trust for him as Anakin's lost their enraged simmer.
Yoda and Windu also looked at each other as the seconds passed.
Windu shook his head, a refined humility overtaking him for a moment. "You misunderstand me, Skywalker. But we can leave this for another time."
"A mission, we have for you now, young Skywalker."
Anakin composed himself. "Yes Master?"
Windu's previous expression was now wiped from his face, leaving a serene professionalism in its wake. "A kidnapping has been attempted against one of the Senators."
Obi-Wan brought his index finger to his chin in sudden contemplation. "The timing would suggest that it has something to do with Palpatine's death."
"Rule out that possibility, we cannot."
"Senator Amidala was a well known opposer of Palpatine's Chancellorship. However, we still do not know for sure, and we cannot try to investigate the matter without making sure that no harm comes to her."
Anakin heard the leather glove of his mechanical hand creak in protest as it clenched with an inhuman strength.
"You have been assigned to protect her. With the chaos that now reigns in the Senate, Senator Amidala is vital to the future of the Republic. Especially now that she is one of the Supreme Chancellor Elects."
"One of our closest and most sympathetic supporters, Senator Amidala is. Protect her, we must. Involved in the corruption of the Senate, I know her not to be."
Despite knowing just how noble, blameless, and… saintly Padmé really was, he couldn't help but reply, "Just how we assumed Palpatine could never really be?"
They did not reply. Obi-Wan put his hand on his shoulder, feeling the conflict within his dear friend. Anakin couldn't remember the last time Obi-Wan had been this much on his side before.
Knowing how truly bad he desired to see her, he knew he should stoutly refuse. "There should be someone better suited-"
"The decision has been made." Windu interrupted.
It was in that moment that Anakin realized why he was chosen for this mission.
They wanted him to stay away from the heat of it all. Possibly just wanted as much space between him and Sidious' mechanisms as possible.
Minutes passed before Anakin reluctantly boarded the shuttle, looking down at the three Masters only to watch how small they got as the ship sailed through the night… heading towards an apartment that had always managed to turn his head whenever he had passed it.
Back to the Present
It was ridiculous. Insulting. It was because of Sidious' seduction that led to Anakin being able to warn the Jedi of the treachery; and only then had Anakin been able to recollect the delirious musings of a most loyal trooper, allowing them to be wary of the attack that they knew would come.
If only we had known... Anakin thought as he fought the urge to weep.
Only hours ago, he had been engaged against the unrelenting rain of blaster bolts, his lightsaber whirling with a calculated wildness as he looked upon his 501st for the first time.
For the first time as adversaries.
They had shot at him with the intent to shoot to kill, as calm as collected as if they were following him into another battle. Anakin, on the other hand, felt nothing but misery as he reflected each bolt back to his soldiers, helpless to do anything else.
Staring at the floor with a pained expression as he relived the attack once more, he forced himself to ignore the worried gaze of his charge.
Though he initially panicked when first seeing the swarm of medical droids, handmaids, and doctors surrounding Padmé in the center of the entrance room of her apartment, he knew that it was not life-threatening and remained to sense her well-being as she was tended to, content with standing out of the way and in the corner. He could feel that her left arm was broken, as well as her left ankle. He tried to keep his eyes off of the state of the room - or even the Senator herself - in order to keep his fury under check. The time to inspect the room would come later.
This "mission" was all too familiar with his first mission with the Senator, when he was still just a Padawan learner. He closed his eyes, pained at the memory of them leaving each other for good, breaking each other's hearts, separating with the intent to never look back. They knew that they had made the right decision, and yet...
But they had always looked back. In the most awkward and literal way possible. Every time they were in each other's sight at any point during the war, they kept on catching each other's eyes involuntarily, as if they couldn't help it. And every time, like clockwork, the one who initiated the stare would instantly drop their look once the other's pair of eyes caught theirs. And it happened a lot in one sitting. It got so bad that, eventually, he would force himself to stare at the ground in her presence, leaving him to only feel her gaze, unwilling to meet it.
Just like now.
She was looking at him as she sat on the couch, worried, of all things, peering at him through the many bodies of people and droids that were tending to her wounds. That probing, almost distressed look had not left her after he had revealed too much to her when first walking into her apartment. She was the one who had been attacked and injured, and while he had been attacked, he was completely unharmed.
Perhaps she needed to know that.
"I told you I'm okay, my lady." He said without looking at her. "I think you need to worry more about yourself right now."
She shifted in her seat, stilling when her handmaidens protested. "What, am I not allowed to worry for an old friend? From what the Jedi have been able to tell us so far, the attack on the Temple was truly horrendous. You can see the smoke towering from the temple for miles around. And no one knows why it's happening. The only thing we know as members of the Senate that were present during the evacuation is that the Clone army has turned on the Jedi. We are all shaken by the news, and we don't want to be in the dark for much longer. We need answers. I'm not the only Senator that is concerned for the Jedi." She scolded him, her voice grating with the depth of their situation.
"We are just as lost as the Senate is, trust me." Anakin reminded her grimly.
She sighed. "You can always speak to me about it, Annie." She said, looking somewhat distressed. And, although he was quite pleased to see that she was for his sake, he groaned slightly to himself.
He had exposed too much…
When First Entering Padmé's Apartment
"Annie," Padmé had said in awe, a radiant, almost involuntary smile blossoming on her bruised face. He had barely set one foot beyond the threshold of her apartment before she became aware of him, the very first to notice him out of the entire ensemble. A team of prodding individuals crowded around her small form in the center of the misshapen room as she sat curled in on herself on the sofa. A doctor had her slim arm bent and bare between their grasp as she looked at him, her soft, low hanging bangs brushing lightly against her temple.
Many, many emotions were evoked by the sight, each one sending tension to set itself between his shoulders as the muscles in his chest rippled under her gaze. "My lady Amidala," He replied, his eyes turning soft in their sockets as he looked into those warm orbs…
She blushed then, her smile widening further if it were even possible, causing him to tuck his chin towards his chest, humbled suddenly despite the righteous anger that had been choking him for the past… ah, few weeks. He suddenly felt very small regardless of his view of everyone's scalps, unable to meet her gaze once again.
"I am at your service, Senator. Or should I just call you Chancellor elect, now?"
"Senator, will do, Master Jedi-"
His tongue clicked at the ill-received title. "Just General, my lady."
This puzzled her. "But weren't you granted the rank after you were put on the Council?"
Agitation caused his voice to come out harsher than he had ever intended for her, slightly annoyed that he had to explain this. "No, they did not. I don't mean to brag but I am quite the oddity when it comes to Jedi now. I am a part of the Council, but I am not a Master."
She briefly looked as if this information offended her. "You have always been an oddity, Annie." She laughed lightly, reminding him of a rendering by a street artist of a fairy he once saw while patrolling one of the moons of Capore for reconnaissance. "But I am disappointed in the Council for not honoring your hard work by granting you the rank."
Brushing off the meaning of the comment, he smiled wickedly. "You speak as if you know a little bit about my work in the war."
She didn't miss a beat. "How could I squash everyone in debates on the war if I had no idea what was going on in the front-lines?"
He smiled genuinely, admiring her subtle wit, before it faded once again. "No… I don't think… well I." He paused to think. She waited patiently. "I think they're afraid of me, is all."
This seemed to confound her. "How could they ever fear you?"
He shook his head. She, of all people, actually had evidence that attested to their fear. After the events of his mother's death... she had seen too much. Anakin knew that Padmé had once feared him, if even for a single moment. It had probably been the very reason that left her with the decision to keep away from him, he wondered. But that was all in the past now, and it no longer mattered to him.
That's what he told himself.
"It doesn't matter. All that matters now is our task to rebuild. A task we Jedi understand that you will be foundational for - which is why I'm here."
"Why, they must love to saddle you with babysitting Senators after assassination attempts," she quipped, oblivious to the tightening of his lower belly at the indirect mention of his first mission with her.
"I think they 'saddled' me with you for my sake as much as yours." He said quietly.
Her wonderful face tilted innocently at this.
He shook his head again, blushing. "I believe they wanted to separate me from the situation. Maybe they were hoping a good talk with an old friend might do me some good."
"I'm always here for you if you need someone to talk to." She reminded him.
His blush deepened as his lower belly tightened further. "Besides," he laughed, "I've never minded being saddled with you." He said, but stopped instantly when her own blush made him realize that it could have various meanings. "-Throughout our missions in the war." was added hastily.
She snorted before cracking up completely, and his face felt increasingly hot, mortified that their conversation actually went to a sexual route, especially in front of her handmaidens and a group of stranger doctors. He had sometimes wished that their conversations could've gone like that, maybe someday - after retirement, maybe? Or maybe only in his fantasies. But… he couldn't believe that she was laughing as hard as she was.
Anakin frowned then, suddenly realizing that she wasn't asking the questions he could sense were on her mind. He was astonished that she wasn't bombarding him with questions. There Padmé sat, freshly injured after an abduction, basking in the wake of the assassination of the most powerful and wicked man in the galaxy, and all she could do was tease an exhausted Jedi Knight. He could feel her fear surrounding the events of Palpatine's arrest and - unknown to her - execution. There were conflicting thoughts swirling around her regards for the war effort against the Separatists, oblivious to the raw fact that the Clone wars have now come to its untimely end... and with it a new direction. A new foe. But she didn't ask him. Rather, she seemed to be eager to get on his last nerve with frivolous exchanges and endearing smiles...-
Disgruntled with her at this point, he sighed before regaining his composure. "Nevertheless, I will be investigating this case in the hopes that this particular matter will never aggrieve you ever again, my lady."
She stopped laughing at the news, her eyes suddenly finding something very interesting at the broken table far before her. "I'm sure they just wanted you to protect me, surely?"
This talk again? But there was an indication in her eyes. She was hiding something. He doubted that it was anything of true importance such as any hidden clue that might possibly tie the attempt against her to Palpatine's fall. Despite his suspicions, his neutral smile remained. "I guess that's the good part of at least being a Knight; I can make those decisions for myself."
"Oh, yeah? I heard that you're famous for not following the Council's orders." She teased.
"I cannot deny that. And I intend to follow their orders. I will not leave your side, I promise. Their exact words were that I was assigned simply to protect you, I will admit. But any investigating that can be done while still in your orbit will be done. Basically, I'll just take a look around your apartment and give any information to the Council so that they can give the mission to another Jedi as soon as they can. Don't worry, I have your back." He laughed. In all honesty, Anakin was actually torn between wanting to guard Padmé over hunting down her attacker, but the compulsion to protect her easily won.
"That is a comforting thought, especially after… well, what actually happened, Anakin?" She asked, and he could begin to feel the panic that she had kept under wraps start to boil over. He could understand why; the Republic was her life. And her life was spent selflessly investing her intelligence, heart, soul, and time just to help maintain it. He felt that, ultimately, she had even chosen the fate of the Republic over him. And no matter how many times he would tell himself that he could never resent her over that fact… he knew he did.
And tonight's events would rock the entire galaxy to its core.
"What do you know so far?"
"I know that there was an attack on the Temple, as well as an evacuation of all Clones from the Senate Building. I only knew this after the Senate was evacuated - something that was ordered for by Master Windu himself. We learned later that he had left the building to help alleviate the attack on the Jedi Temple. We had assumed that he had apprehended Palpatine and taken him away to be processed by the system." Anakin nodded, glad to be assured of the fact that she didn't know of Palpatine's fate yet. He regretted that he had to be the one to tell her.
She continued without noticing his frown. "Afterwards, we were held in a bunker, awaiting for the entire crisis to be resolved at least enough for us to be released from the emergency bunker. About an hour or so in was when the Clones were sent away. All we knew was that Palpatine was to be arrested under allegations of high treason by the Jedi. It was there, among an informal emergency gathering, that the remaining Senators voted for the new Chancellor elects. Although we weren't sure if the allegation of high treason had any basis or not, we understood that the Jedi would not use the term 'high treason' without any heavy cause. We assumed the worst. It was... the worst opening I have ever attended." She said in a recoiled awe, her grimace highlighting the scrapes on her face. "It was my affiliation to the Loyalist cause that brought my name to the floor. I, along with Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Fang Zar, and Des'sein were elected. We stayed within the bunker for about... maybe five hours before we were escorted home. A few Jedi were with us throughout this, but they told us nothing. I believe that they were just as lost as we were."
"I understand. I will explain everything to you at a later hour, my lady. I will trust your judgement on the matter. And as far as I know, only the Council knows of the situation. But please rest assured that we are loyal to the Republic to the very end." He said to assure both himself as well as Padmé.
"There are many of us that are very uneasy of the Jedi at the moment, I must confess. But I am not one of them. I've always trusted you, Annie. You and Obi-Wan, as well as Ahsoka." She affirmed.
It seemed that he couldn't stop blushing tonight. Quite a mind-boggling problem to have after what he'd been through earlier that night. But Padmé had always had this special way of reminding him of his place… and making him forget about what was important. He was at a complete loss for why she was being so affectionate towards him.
"As I have always trusted you," He replied slowly. "And please do not worry about anything until after you've healed more."
Back to the Present
"As I said, don't waste your concerns on us." He replied, not wanting to mention that he didn't really even know if Ahsoka was safe… and in fact needed to be worried about. Turning around and walking towards the entry way for privacy, he pulled up the comlink and beeped for Obi-Wan's signal.
Obi-Wan answered immediately. "Yes? Have you found anything yet?"
He shook his head. "Haven't even begun the investigation; the Senator is being looked over and I didn't want to get in the way. But listen - I need you to see how Ahsoka is doing, as soon as you can of course. Her link isn't taking. I can sense that she is alive, but I also sense that something is wrong."
Obi-Wan had been nodding in agreement as he spoke. "Yes, as do I. I will begin my search as soon as I am done here. We must first account for our fallen brothers and sisters. Afterwards, you can leave it to me."
"Thank you Master, and of course." He replied with an appreciative nod, feeling closer to his old friend than ever before as Obi-Wan's image faded.
And he had finished in the nick of time; the doctors and medical droids had started to file around him to the elevators, seemingly satisfied with their work with Padmé. Before the last doctor - a very rare Ansionian - could enter the lift, Anakin hastily stopped him with an outstretched hand.
"Is she alright?" He asked quietly, unable to keep the worry off his face.
The doctor didn't notice his distress. "She will walk away from this with two fractures and a mild concussion; I believe, from her statement, that her attacker got it worse than she."
Anakin couldn't help but smile at that. "Thank you, doctors."
They left with a bow.
Anakin returned to the main room to inspect it, but was quickly approached by one of Padmé's handmaidens.
"Master Jedi, this may be of consequence," she said as she handed him a small… tool? Of a messily wired knot of bolts with a cheap durasteel fulcrum.
He looked at it, disgusted with its craftsmanship. "Handmade… obviously." He said with a dispassionate shake as the bolts made a messy sound as a result. "It looks as if its function was to pry, or wrench against two surfaces," he noted as he studied the two sturdier connections of the contraption. "But there is a system attached to it - sloppily. Was it perhaps used to open a door? I couldn't imagine why he would want to do that though."
She shook her head. "We don't know exactly what it was supposed to do either. Padmé reported that after the perpetrator had cuffed her to their speeder, he continued to search the apartment frantically with this over their shoulder."
"They got as far as cuffing her to their speeder?" He asked, bemused.
"There's a reason I know how to fasten a lock-pick in my hair." Padmé sniffed from across the room.
"I remember." He replied back. "I'm guessing they didn't find what they were looking for?"
"He did, actually. But he never got the chance to bust into it. I shot his arm just below his shoulder, and he got away before I could get him again. He was a humanoid, and although he had my stature, his proportions were somewhat masculine. Flat chest, broad shoulders."
Anakin nodded, gave one last look at the wrench before pocketing it and looking back towards Padmé's direction. "So whatever he was looking to crack open was apparently his second priority over stealing you away. What is it that he was trying to access?"
There was a moment of silence as the handmaiden before him looked at Padmé, both wary. Anakin was finally able to recognize the handmaiden as Sabé - the brave young lady that had played as Padmé's double during the Trade Federation blockade on Naboo.
"If it's something inconsequential, like a personal item, then it doesn't really matter as long as you can tell me his possible motive. However, if it has to do with politics, then I must insist. I can assure you of my full discretion on the matter, Padmé." He said, and she looked at him in surprise. It took him a moment to realize that that was the first time he had said her first name to her in years.
Shame, really. Such a gentle name, Anakin thought. It was also the first time that he had looked at her injuries directly. Her delicate lower lip had been split, there was a trace of a cut on her scalp, her arm was casted and bound tightly to her side, her foot was also casted and curled at her side, and she looked as if she had been roughed up real badly. But Anakin tried not to think about those particulars, and instead lingered on just how lovely she looked still with her thick, warm brown hair, sheeny pale skin and big, glossy brown eyes-
"It was… something that has absolutely nothing to do with the war…" She started to say.
He blinked. "What was?"
"Drafts of a certain policy that I have been working on for years." She said, unable to look at him.
"Where were they?"
"Where I keep all of my drafts - in a safe; out of sight." She nodded towards the wrench tool in his robes pocket. "He used that thing to seek it out."
"With a system of magnets and sensors, quite rudimentary, but functional, I saw. Tell me of these drafts, as well as how you know which drafts he wanted specifically." He urged, waving for her to continue.
"Why?" She asked nervously.
"They will point me in the right direction, Padmé. An issue of interest will point me to a person of interest."
She sighed. "I knew which drafts he wanted because he held up a hologram of a scanned copy of the cover page. I have no idea how he managed to get a scan of the cover page, which bothers me more than the attack itself to be honest. The drafts themselves were on policies. One policy specifically, concerning Republic intervention on certain moral violations that occurred on systems with no representation in the Republic. The policy states how, despite the predetermined state of the system's neutrality, distinguished sovereignty, obscure allegiance to the Republic or otherwise, that the Republic still had to uphold the basic, and wholly undeniable rights of every sentient being. Whether they are a citizen of the Republic or not."
He suppressed his annoyance at her refusing to tell him outright. "So, they are targeted at systems outside the scope of the Republic, then?"
Padmé nodded.
"Not good enough. It still doesn't answer the motive behind the perpetrator's actions. I need you to be more specific. In fact, let me see the documents themselves, please." He said as he started to search around the apartment, already knowing her answer.
"No - they aren't supposed to be known by the public until they're finalized and put on the floor-!"
"I have already assured you of my silence, Padmé." He shot back. It took him no time at all to sense the object's general direction - anything that was sufficiently dense, hollow, and touched by the foreign signature of the perpetrator's presence. Besides, the faux wall had already been messily disturbed and was hard to miss when you got close. It was in the wall that made up the tiny hallway between the veranda and the entrance room, right around where her eye level would be, and taking up almost the entire width of the wall. Skimming his hands along the top of the fake wall to push it away from its connection to the real marbled wall, it easily gave into his touch, not putting up a fight at all. She probably used it every day.
Then there was the safe; gray, solid, and made of pure durasteel. With a flick of his hand, it beeped invitingly and opened itself for him to see its contents.
"Stop it, Anakin! You have no right to look through my work!"
"I'm sorry, Padmé, but you had almost been kidnapped; not killed, and not robbed. That means he and/or his employer wanted something out of you." Bending down to peer into the safe, his eyes scanned through the countless metal binders within the safe, his sight landing on the thickest one, his instincts telling him that was it. He reached for it as she struggled to get up in protest before being sat down by a handmaiden. "And looking at your current state, I'd say they were planning to kill you after they got what they wanted. Also, if the center of the problem is a mere policy, then your life takes precedence. Assassination attempts against Senators for policies are common, especially for you. The employers for such assassinations always have obvious motives just by understanding what the policy is, as well and knowing the profession of the employer. So, if I know the policy, I'll know the type of person the employer is."
He flipped each of the tabs that held the metal binder closed as she asked, "So you think the perpetrator was paid to kidnap me?"
"Someone who makes a piece of junk to open a safe apparently doesn't really care all that much about anything other than the reward. Besides, what state was his speeder in, anyways? I would bet that it was a piece of junk as well, indicating he was poor and needed money instead of a ruffled Senator and a bunch of ambiguous documents. Either that or borrowed from an employer and thus generic-looking, right?"
"The second one," She mumbled.
"The wrench was made from cheap materials, so he was most likely short on money. Taking a Senator as ransom, then sure, incredibly stupid but understandable, but trying to take a bunch of political documents? That makes no sense." He tried to reason when he finally flipped the last clasp, allowing him to open the binder and tilt it so that the substantial document could slowly squeeze its way out of the binder it was stuffed into. The stack of papers was about six inches thick, taking him by surprise. He had been expecting digital documentation. This was old-school.
Anakin laughed in good humor and in awe as he weighed the document in his hands; this had undeniably taken her years "I can tell you in full confidence that I will not indulge the whole thing. I don't really have a whole month to-" He had started to joke, but stopped immediately when he read a word on the policy's cover that yanked his attention: "slavery."
His humor running away from the room with its tail between its legs, he read the overview of the policy in silence... his face dead of any expression. Padmé as well remained silent, signaling for her handmaidens to leave the room.
He finished reading all ten pages of the overview without meaning to before closing the booklet when it began its first in-depth proceedings. Carefully sliding back the document into its binder and re-clasping it, he closed the safe and locked in silence. All of the confidence given to him by easily understanding the situation was gone from him now.
"I didn't know you had such an interest in the issue," He said almost apologetically.
"It has been in the making ever since I became Senator." She replied quietly.
"I see. And do you know why anyone might want them badly enough?"
She had started to answer, "I don't think-" before being cut off by her handmaiden who entered the room in a hurry.
"Mistress - Jamboe has been compromised. His comlink sent us a distress signal only seconds ago."
"What? I told him to end his investigations, he should've-"
"You had someone else investigating?" Anakin interrupted accusingly.
Padmé shook her head fiercely. "He wasn't investigating this at all - he was gathering intel for me, intel I needed to finish the policy. Jamboe was my main investigator, and it was because of the information he gave me that I was able to even begin the first draft." She turned back to her handmaiden, distressed. "Is his comlink still giving any indication that he is alive?"
"Yes, and we even know of his location: Hutt Space, around the Ootomian Pabol trade route. The comlink is apparently still intact besides the distress lines."
"Then they must need him alive... and us aware of his location. It could be a trap, but the consequences could be unsettling, at this time especially, if my intel was to be exposed through Jamboe. We must retrieve him, Anakin."
He shook his head before stalking closer towards her protectively. "I know what you're implying, but you will need to send your own people, Padmé. I cannot leave you. That would leave you exposed to another attack."
She looked as if she were going to say more, hesitating as she continued. "He- he has evidence."
"Evidence… against what, Padmé?"
She bit her lip, a sentiment he found very attractive. "Well, the ways in which Jamboe received the information was technically dodgy-"
"Senator Amidala," He mocked with a few clicks of his tongue. "You broke the law? And here I thought that you were a g-" good girl- "A spiffy, law-abiding citizen." He laughed in good humor, watching in delight as the crease between her eyebrows relaxed.
"Coming from the man that committed war crimes by falsely surrendering on Yerbana?" She shot back, her eyebrow arching at him.
"Ah-ah-ah that's one war crime, singular. And we won because of it. But back to the point - I am not going off on a rescue mission to leave you high and dry when you need to be protected. I'm sorry; you will just need to trust that your informant will not spill."
"No, I know he won't; he is very loyal to me, but that doesn't mean he deserves to be tortured for information."
"I'm sure you have your own people for the job. I will not budge on this." He didn't wait for the permission he didn't need. "Now, I will report this to the Council, but I highly doubt that they will have anyone, really to spare, but-"
"No, no, don't bother. I have connections." She said as she heaved her tender body up to a stand, rubbing the back of her neck with her good hand and making her way towards the veranda. "Despite no longer being Queen, we are still given the privilege of limited access to the Nubian Royal Guard. I will ask for them at once, and from there you can brief them on what you know thus far."
"Agreed, m'lady."
"I will be just a moment," She said, turning into her master bedroom with the datapad she picked up from an unbroken nightstand, leaving Anakin alone in the silence of the apartment.
A fact that he was very much aware of as he looked around for her missing handmaids and usual entourage. Alone in a Senator's apartment. Or, rather, alone in a gorgeous, enchanting, gracious, cherished and virtuous young woman's apartment. While she was alone with an angsty, temperamental, depressed, traumatized, hot-blo-lovesick Jedi, as Anakin saw it. He stood there awkwardly, withdrawing his upper body and arms behind his cloak, wishing for a certain voice…
"3PO?" Anakin called out on inspiration, wondering why the droid's presence was missing. Whenever 3PO was around, he knew Padmé was never far. The dutiful and smart-mouthed droid had been her relentless companion throughout the Clone Wars, despite Anakin's irrational jealousy at the prospect. His mechanical childhood friend had it way better than he, a thought that brought a petulant frown to his lips before shaking his head with disappointment at himself for allowing such feelings to be given any power. In fact, he had been quite revolted at his unspoken behavior throughout his reunion with the Senator. Vengeful thoughts, fierce protectiveness, near lustful gazes… he felt complete mortification as a Jedi when pondering too deeply on his transgressions.
Although, remembering 3PO surely didn't help the issue.
Two years and nine months ago
"Oh, Master Annie!" 3PO said excitedly as Anakin walked through the doors of his apartment, double-taking at the sight of the droid that he had completely forgotten was there.
Sighing over a reluctant groan, he acknowledged his old friend with a, "Oh, yes, hello 3PO." To be honest with himself, he really didn't want the company. He was wiped out, sore in places he didn't even think was possible, and yet mildly proud of himself. His first mission as a fully-fledged Jedi Knight had been a success. The large brigade and fleet (which consisted of the newly-appointed 501st and the 212th) that he and Obi-Wan led had been invited to an early success because of his own efforts. While on an aggressive and never ending campaign to destroy a CIS factory on the soggy Separatists outpost of Ularin, the shield generators that took their every attack had finally been destroyed after Anakin had successfully infiltrated the city through the ancient sewers. He had almost been bashful as he was praised for the efforts by Obi-Wan in front of the Council. Almost.
And… during that time, while he had thought of 3PO often for a very particular reason, it had still managed to escape his mind that 3PO would be there to greet him happily with a lengthy conversation close at hand when all Anakin wanted to do was use the fresher and take the weight off his back for a rotation or two.
"Is something the matter Master Annie?"
"Master Anakin, if you will 3PO. I don't need that nickname to spread." He said with an embarrassed sideways glance.
"My apollo-"
"And no, not really. I was just thinking over an issue that I had been pondering for a while. Tell me," He said as he moved towards the droid as he disengaged himself from his charging port, "Do you like living here, 3PO? Simple yes or no will suffice."
"No, I cannot say I do with your terribly infrequent visits. You know I am rather lonely, especially at night. Although I have been given a job by Master Nu to teach the youngling infants Galactic Basic by way of exposure; she said I was 'unimaginably suited' for the job, can you imagine that?" He said in wonder, puffing up his plating in pride.
"Ohh yes I can." Anakin said, allowing a small smile. "Listen… I've been thinking about sending you off to an old friend to live with; there you would be better stimulated and cared for since your qualifications are perfect for the job they may have for you."
"An old friend you say?" He asked, intrigued.
"Yes, the Senator from Naboo."
"Miss Padmé?"
"Yes yes the very one. I believe that your specific skills - which I am well aware of - would serve her perfectly. I would like to... perhaps visit her before my next assignment to see if she has a need for you. Does that sound alright with you?"
"Serving a lady, and a distinguished Senator at that! Why the very thought-"
"Good so you agree? Perfect. Until then, would you mind making me something to eat old pal? Something that I can eat while laying down?"
"A sandwich just might do the job. What certain ingredients are you in the moo-"
"Anything will do, thanks," he said as he waved the droid towards the door, his eyes already closed and back already stretched out on his bed, glad that he had finally allowed himself to commit to the plan. He had been debating with himself, chewing over the idea ever since he was knighted. He really didn't have a use for 3PO anymore, as the droid was hardly the type of help one would want in the middle of a battle. Anakin laughed to himself at the image in his mind's eye of 3PO jerking himself back and forth in the middle of open fire, shouting out open exclamations as bolts fired all around him. It might be good entertainment, he thought wryly.
But he knew that the droid had the ability to serve Padmé well, and had even programmed him with an overwhelming amount of coding from things such as varying systems of etiquette and human psychology codes to even a considerable number of recipes as well as protocols for cooking along with it.
And, perhaps even more than that… Anakin knew that giving a trustworthy aid to the woman he loved would be a comforting thought. Now, all that left was giving him to her… Anakin sighed and rolled onto his belly, leaving that thought for another time.
This wasn't the first time since he had been within her reach, her presence, since Geonosis... since his mother... since Naboo...
He gulped harshly at the torment of the memories.
The next evening
Increasingly agitated at his own demeanor as the lift raced up to the penthouse of the Senatorial complex, Anakin adjusted the front of his robes to seek composure. Not much has changed since becoming a Knight, he thought to himself, the only thing missing from the feeling of dejavu was Obi-Wan standing to his right. Instead of Obi-Wan, it was 3PO that now stood at his side, oblivious to his maker's agitation as he gushed on and on about… something. Anakin didn't really care.
"-and then she won't be able to refuse me!" He said, almost burning a wire with excitement.
"I doubt she'll-" Anakin had started to say before he bitterly stopped himself. After all, he had been refused by her-
He had the sudden, irrational urge to punch anything, and closed his eyes at the ferocity of his anger… and most of all, his hurt. He had seen her since he escorted her back home to Naboo after the battle on Geonosis, but that memory still held a powerful hold on him even still. It was what made up the bulk of the sore spot in his throat as he tried to swallow it down.
"-everliving…" he whispered to no one at all, appalled at the perspiration that clung to his skin. When fussing with his robes some more, he noticed that he was starting to smell a bit despite coming clean from the fresher. Another desperate complaint escaped him as he wondered idly if his new robes would be too dark for her liking.
"That doesn't matter-" he whispered again. Not anymore, he thought as he reminded himself of his resolution to ignore his feelings for her. He was a Knight now, he reasoned, he shouldn't be having these thoughts. He wasn't here for her liking. He wasn't here to please her. He wasn't here to hint at pursuing her again. And he most assuredly wasn't here to see her. He was here to give her 3PO and then leave.
The doors suddenly opened, and Anakin did another double-take as they did. He had believed he would've had a few more seconds of privacy to reach out and perceive her feelings on the matter. She knew he was coming, as he had informed Captain Typho just this morning. It was then that he was informed that she could see him the very next evening much to Anakin's initial terror at the thought of just how soon that really was. Throughout the day after the communication, he had been wondering how Padmé would react to the news. Or rather, he had been trying not to wonder at how she would react. Scenarios of delirious delight, uneasy apprehension, and downright antipathy had crossed his mind. All of which he knew would never come from Padmé, but still, he had wanted to prepare for it by at least getting a general idea for how the night would turn out by knowing how she felt to get himself together.
Things wouldn't turn out Anakin Skywalker's way when the doors opened up prematurely to expose him to the lovely creature before him called Padmé. Standing there before the doors of the lift, waiting for him, daresay, almost eagerly. He had imagined that she would be waiting on her veranda as he was called to her by one of her servants - a very proper and practical expectation. And yet she broke that expectation by waiting in front of him with the nobility and grace of a Queen; almost nonchalant about it. A faint smile graced her lips with an expectant but patient grin, apparently pleased to see him. While he was pleased to see her - incredibly so at that - his face remained stoic as he bowed his head in respectful acknowledgement.
"Senator Amidala," He said in a voice that sounded much too confident.
"General Skywalker," she breathed before her eyes met with the droid at his side. "...and C-3PO?"
"She remembers me," 3PO said in delight.
"How could I forget someone as important as you, C-3PO?" She asked pleasantly as Anakin forced himself to not look too much into it while 3PO bristled with pride. For once, 3PO's rambling was a blessing to the young Jedi as he stood there before Padmé, desperately trying to look as if he wasn't trying to gauge her mood. The emotions he felt, it turns out, were far from surprising. Nervousness, excitement, and much to his sorrow, a deep sadness lingered in the Force about her. He completely refrained from mentally acknowledging the gated longing he also felt from her, desperately wanting to leave this place with his dignity and heart still intact.
Centering himself and raising his jaw slightly, he said smoothly, "I am rather glad you feel that way about him, my lady, for I was hoping I could turn over his services to you."
Padmé's eyes widened in disbelief and it looked as if she didn't know what to say. Although this tampered Anakin's confidence, he continued. "I assure you that he is highly-functional and fully upgraded with all of the bells and whistles. He can serve you very well, my lady."
"Oh Annie, I…" She had started to say, her rounded brown eyes still on 3PO. While the use of the moniker had annoyed him when 3PO used it, it sounded as if Padmé's using it was nothing other than a complete endearment. His self-possession faltered greatly. "No, no I could never - he's much too precious to you-"
The cold that had gripped his shoulders had melted. The resentment he kept in his heart forgave her instantly. His eyes went soft as he gazed at her, and his voice became infinitely warm as he spoke, "B-ut he is being wasted with me. Please, my lady, it would be a great honor to both of us if you would let him serve you."
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes breaking from the droid to stare at Anakin's chest. "I don't really deserve him, though."
Anakin stepped towards her on impulse. "You deserve much more, my lady." He said with conviction before remembering himself and taking a half-step back. "But 3PO is all I have to give," He finished, and he felt his honesty evoke a surge of pain from her as she stood, hiding it very well. Her eyes met his once again, and they stayed there. He felt a compulsion to keep his eyes planted where they were in hers. She apparently did as well.
"I will appreciate him for the rest of my days." She replied simply. Whatever it was that 3PO had started to drone on about was completely ignored by them as she eagerly changed the subject. "Congratulations on your recent ascension to Knighthood, Anakin."
He could only smile in reply.
"I've always felt that you were bound to do something spectacular in your life, you know. Ever since you crossed that dusty finish line," she said with the most pleasant laugh imaginable.
He could've told her then and there what he's always felt concerning her, but a stern and deeply miserable compulsion would have never allowed him. "And I've always felt that you were the best out of all of us."
Little did he know of the raging emotions that coursed through the Senator now. And it was a mighty good thing that he didn't. He had completely missed the fact that she had started to say something before - and it would've been a comment about how his lengthy hair suits him very well, only exposing the backdrop of the extreme attraction she found in the striking young man before her. She felt as if it was her birthday, and he was the most beautiful gift she had ever seen. He would also never know the full extent of the booming pride and self-confidence that his impromptu praise held for her, nor know that it was in fact his small, conservative smile that made her wobble nervously a bit. He would never really know the true depth of her longing, either. The companionship that was faintly promised between their proximity made her bite the inside of her cheek to stop the urge to tear up, but he would never really know of this.
But he had a very good clue.
"For a Senator," She finished for him.
"No, in general. You have a heart of gold," he breathed with masked devotion, meaning every single word.
Padmé couldn't really say what his heart was; it was too much to her, and undeniably precious as well. "And for a Jedi you've got a very spunky heart," she laughed affectionately.
"Must've rubbed off from you." He suggested smoothly.
Her laughter grew. "I'm a terrible influence,"
His voice was too soft. "You're the most wonderful influence."
Her joyous expression sank like a boulder through Kamino's ocean, suddenly overwhelmed by the intensity of his eyes. "Let me return your gift General Skywalker," She said blankly, suddenly inspired before wrenching her face from his sight, breaking the spell. "Artoo?" She called out over her shoulder, patiently awaiting a reply.
Surprise was the only thing that enabled him to turn his eyes off of her, allowing him to look over her head to wait for a reply. Not too long after, a delighted reply did come, in the form of uplifting beeps that Anakin knew very well.
"I think Artoo is experiencing the same situation as 3PO in that his skills are being wasted without the appropriate caretaker looking after him. He might waste away if he stays with me any longer. He wasn't made to stay on the ground. I think you can fulfill his purpose by letting him accompany you through the stars." She said with a very self-satisfied smile.
Anakin wanted to pretend to deny the undeniably priceless gift to be polite, but he didn't even try to bother. The astromech was a beloved artifact of his childhood, and had saved Padmé's life. If it weren't for Artoo, none of them would be standing here whatsoever, they wouldn't have even met, and the entire recent history of the galaxy would be drastically different. And, perhaps most importantly of all, it was a meaningful gift from the one he adored above all. "I will cherish him deeply."
Unable to meet his eyes again, she nodded happily. "I know it's sudden, but it would comfort me greatly to know that Artoo will have your back," she admitted candidly.
"I feel the same way my lady," he said with a glance to 3PO. With his soft smile fading from his lips, he swallowed uneasily as he remembered himself. "I must… regretfully take my leave, my lady."
Did he imagine the sadness in her brows? "Of course, General Skywalker. I truly, truly appreciate the visit." She said genuinely, albeit with the impersonal tone of a typical Senator. That is, until she added as he stepped into the lift with an excited Artoo at his heels, "Please take care of yourself Annie."
He could only nod, unable to trust his voice then.
"And goodbye, Artoo."
A happy beep was the reply.
"Goodbye Master Anakin," 3PO said with a somber tilt.
Anakin bowed his head to his old friend. "See you around, old buddy. Let's go Artoo," he said with a smile.
The last thing his eyes saw was her own as the doors closed before him. They both recognized the sadness within the other's, but it was left unspoken.
As it should be.
I cannot say for sure how long this story might be, but I'm pretty sure (as I'm weaving together pages of political chaos) that it's going to be a huge doozy. While the conflict is a backdrop to the romance (and I'll do my best to remember that), I can't help but give them a doomsday - after all, the devil wouldn't go down fighting. RIP Palpatine, my king of chaos. Muah.
But without giving too much away, I hope to entertain many specific aspects with the story such as Anakin's psychology, his prophecy as the chosen one, his relationship with Padme, the influence of the Sith's existence in the galaxy and all that it implies (such as the magnitude of power Palpatine exercised over people), as well as outcome of a non-fatal Order 66 for the Jedi, etc etc.
*Also, just a warning, I head-hop between Anakin and Padmé. I personally feel that head hopping between two individuals that share romantic feelings is appropriate as the main idea of the story is all about their relationship. Because I personally dislike head-hopping outside of romance, I'm at an uneasy crossroad between Third-Person Omniscient and Third Person Multiple (Only to explain certain events in their meaningful ways). By all means, point out my mistakes and drag me through the sh*t pile :)
And I also like to have a lot of time changes throughout the story for several reasons: 1. I want certain reveals to happen at strategic times and when they are appropriate to the meaning of the story. 2. Nope, that's the only reason. I want stuff to happen in its ~rightful~ order. Just like how you're supposed to watch episodes 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3. That way, things are discovered in the way that will be more entertaining.*