Their ride to the Alderaan system would grant the five of them a few days of leisure. This time of rest would obviously be spent training Luke in the ways of the Force.
Anakin was surprised that Obi-Wan would so much as suggest it in the presence of seemingly random smugglers, but contrary to his expectations, Obi-Wan simply smiled, assuring him that their hosts were already well aware of their situation. Not because he had told them, but simply because they weren't idiots. The suggestion that Anakin looked down on the smugglers left him a little ashamed, but at the same time, he had good reason to do so.
Not on these two in particular - both Solo and Chewbacca had made themselves out to be of surprisingly good character - but more so all criminals. The law was made to be followed and those outside it could hardly be respected.
The irony of the fact that Anakin now stood outside the law himself was completely lost on him. Criminals were criminals. As simple as that.
Throughout the travels, Solo made no real attempt to disprove this. Although he held no overt disdain for the Force, he clearly found it to be spiritual hocus-pocus at best with no real basis in truth. Chewbacca said nothing about it, but the glint of respect in his eyes was clear enough.
No, the issue wasn't between the Jedi and the smugglers, but rather between the Jedi themselves.
"He needs to specialize as soon as possible. With his build, Soresu will allow him to use his stature to his advantage. Any aggressive means of combat will only be lost on him," Anakin argued hotly, mechanical arms crossed across his broad chest. During the past few days, a similar argument had played out many times before. In the end, he couldn't really say that either side won at all.
Obi-Wan shook his head resolutely. "He is far too young for that. How can he possibly learn any one of the seven forms before being able to so much as parry a bolt?"
Anakin tapped one of his fingers against his other arm. Thanks to the graciousness of Solo, he'd been allowed to use some of his more useless scraps and trinkets to better his arms, which had finally granted him a pair of prosthetics stronger than human arms. All and all, prosthetics - as compared to flesh-and-blood arms - were somewhat inferior, especially for a Jedi. Most Jedi, at least.
To a Jedi, channelling the Force through their body to strengthen their physical capabilities was as natural as breathing, but this was hampered with a prosthetic. Living flesh happily accepted the Force as a form of currency, but most prosthetics were unable to grant any special strengthening. However, this only applied to most Jedi, which were on the whole of it relatively inept when it came to mechanical enhancements. Anakin was different.
Since he knew exactly how the prosthetic worked, he could easily strengthen it as well as if it was his own arm. Combined with the natural increased strength of a mechanical arm compared to a flesh one, he was able to exert strength unparalleled even by other Jedi.
This remained a weakness, however. You could quite easily imbue flesh with protection against Force abilities. Not so prosthetics.
So, even with limbs capable of ripping spines out of people and bending metal, he was still far from omnipotent. He had to get stronger.
But, more importantly, he had to make Luke stronger.
This would have been a lot easier if Anakin's version of "beginner's training" wasn't derived from his own experiences. Anakin's first years hadn't been spent with a group of other younglings, wearing big helmets and deflecting bolts from little training droids, although he had done this a few times. Rather, Anakin - thanks to his immense strength in the Force - almost went straight to the intermediate training, which included lightsaber training and learning the seven - six at the time - styles. So, before Anakin had done anything else, he had spent all his time mastering each of the styles, if only because he already showed such talent for combat.
The idea that a youngling would spend years just getting in tune with the Force felt silly and childish. His own son should have no issue with that.
Still, that was exactly how it was. Teaching Luke specific styles didn't do much apart from making his ears billow smoke, and, much as how Obi-Wan was arguing, the boy learnt best when just trying to get in tune with the Force. But, when Obi-Wan wasn't looking, or when Luke grew bored of his own failures, Anakin quickly went at it, teaching him as much as he knew. Of course, he never used his own saber for this, instead borrowing Luke's saber to show him how it was done.
In a sense, through this arrangement, both of the Jedi got their wishes. But tensions were still bubbling, with Luke caught in the middle.
He just wanted to learn to be a Jedi. And to be closer to his dad. And to get to know old Ben better. And he was getting it! All-day he got to learn how to get in tune with the Force, and what the Force was, and how to meditate, and what the fundamentals of Jedi philosophy were… Trying his best to understand, Luke would listen intently, even when he began feeling silly and stupid, not understanding a single thing. What's fatalism? Aren't those visions super cruel, then?
Luke didn't really understand how that all worked, but he still tried to understand, even if it meant staying up for several hours past his bedtime, trying to recite the philosophy old Ben had taught him.
Of course, when it came to philosophy and ideals, Anakin wouldn't tell him anything. According to him, he was hardly the person to talk about good and evil, right and wrong. In fact, if Anakin ever tried to tell Luke what the moral course of action was, he should assume he's turned to the dark again and just tune it out. Luke wasn't sure what he meant by that, but if he said it, then it must be true.
To Luke, this whole situation was both very fun and a little scary. Fun since he got to train to be a Jedi, scary because of pretty much everything else. Old Ben and Anakin seemed a little mad at each other sometimes and that pilot guy (even if he was super cool) had a big scary hairy guy as buddy, so he was also scary in turn.
But, all and all, everything was good.
Alderaan was nearing.
There was a very strange atmosphere aboard the Millennium Falcon. It wasn't quite tense, but there was a clear strain among certain members. The most obvious one Obi-Wan could notice was between himself and Anakin, specifically regarding Luke's training. But the other one - surprisingly - was between Anakin and Chewbacca. Even more strange, it was entirely one-sided. Much like Chewbacca seemed to look at Obi-Wan, he viewed Anakin with immense respect, the kind borne from personal experience.
The creature had a most favourable disposition towards Jedi, though Obi-Wan was unsure why.
It might have to do with the Jedi's long-term positive relationship to Kashyyyk. Yoda in particular had been on especially good relations with the Wookies, one he had profited from even until the end, where a Wookie had rescued him from the turned clones under his command. But that shouldn't be enough for a solitary Wookie to see them so positively.
Without knowing how to speak Wookie, Obi-Wan had no choice but to bring his question straight to the only man aboard who could.
"Huh? Why Chewie likes Jedi?" Solo asked, perking an eyebrow. Then, before he said anything else, he glanced over to regard Chewie where he sat. The Wookie was currently hunched over a game of holochess, his opponent being the young Luke. Anakin sat at the boy's side, evaluating his every move without making any response. Once the game was over, he'd explain the faults and successes in Luke's strategy, occasionally criticizing him; usually praising him. Solo chuckled a little at the sight. "Funny thing, Chewie usually hates losing, to the point where he'd really try to do his opponent in, but I guess it isn't so funny ripping a child to bits, is it?"
Obi-Wan made a face, trying to quell the thought that between Anakin and a Wookie, the former was far more violent towards children. "I suppose so. Though, I'm really more interested in having my question answered, assuming you hold the answer."
Solo smiled without his eyes. "Well, I really wouldn't-," a soft breigh from Chewie made the two turn to look at him. "Really? Well, if you say so," Solo replied with a shrug. "Before we met, Chewie lived on Kashyyyk like all the other Wookies. But then the damn Empire went and attacked it for some stupid political reason. If it hadn't been for a bunch of Jedi mounting against them, Chewie would've died there as well."
Obi-Wan fell silent. A few pieces of a large puzzle fell into place. This must be the reason Chewbacca vouched for Obi-Wan despite him being quite a few credits short.
As he thought that, a gnawing, poisonous little thought snaked its way into his mind.
...But that couldn't be it, could it? He had to make sure of it. "Pray tell, who was the lead aggressor?"
Solo shook his head. "He won't tell me. I think it still weighs on him." Solo furrowed his brows in thought. "Though, he did tell me he carried a red lightsaber."
Obi-Wan's heart stopped. He glanced over to where Anakin sat, a mere meter from Chewbacca. The younger man's eyes viewed the Wookie warily, as though expecting him to attack at any moment. Ready to protect Luke. Obi-Wan felt a sigh drag its way through his body. Right. Great.
For a moment, Obi-Wan considered bringing this truth to light, but his sense of reason squashed any such desire. Withholding the truth was hardly virtuous, but in this sort of situation, where revealing it would only cause conflict and death, Obi-Wan let his lips remain shut. Maybe someday the truth would come to light, but at that point, Chewbacca may be more receptive. Able to handle it.
An angry roar made Obi-Wan's head snap to look at where Chewbacca sat at the holotable, all his creatures killed. Luke giggled happily in the face of the growling Wookie, cheering over his win. Anakin praised him and ruffled his hair, waiting at least three seconds before pointing out how Luke could have defeated a key creature earlier in the game. Chewbacca grumbled unhappily, unable to keep up his anger in the face of such a bond.
"Hey, you'll get him next time, Chewie!" Solo encouraged, giving Chewbacca a thumbs-up.
Chewbacca huffed for a second before pulling himself together and grunting to demand another duel. Luke happily obliged once he'd gotten permission from his father.
Obi-Wan had his answer.
During the remainder of the day, Chewbacca and Luke fought, with the game only ending once Chewbacca triumphantly won, eliciting a joyous breigh to shatter glass. Luke was happy for his win, and Anakin, reluctantly, praised his strategy. Obi-Wan smiled wryly at the sight.
Alderaan approached faster than expected, and within a day or so, they landed.
The Millennium Falcon set down on the outskirts of the capital city of Aldera, where the magnificent royal palace was visible even from afar. Anakin had absolutely no idea why they were on Alderaan. As far as worlds were concerned, Alderaan was a key component of the core worlds, the home system of countless myths and diplomats, as well as the travel destination for many tourists. It was, in every sense, a beautiful world.
Anakin didn't like it. He had one simple reason for that distaste, and it had nothing to do with the senator in charge of the sector or anything else that happened on the idyllic planet.
No, it just reminded him of Naboo. Simple as that.
And Naboo reminded him of Padmé.
Anakin's hand clenched, tightening around Luke's little hand. "Ow!" Luke said.
Anakin immediately released his grip, hunching down to stand at Luke's height. "I'm sorry, are you okay?" He gently took a hold of Luke's little hand. A small red mark could be visible on it where one of his fingers had pressed a little too hard. It felt like someone stabbed his chest with a pike. He'd thoughtlessly hurt his son. Just like he'd hurt his wife. Luke nodded gently, but Anakin could see the tears in his eyes. He struggled for some way to relieve his son's pain. "When I was a kid like you, and I got hurt, my mother would do this," he said quietly, hoping his mother's love might carry through. Then, while Luke looked at him with wide eyes, he brought the little hand to his lips and kissed the red mark. "There. Doesn't hurt, does it?"
Luke giggled. "That tickles, dad."
Anakin smiled in relief. He patted the hand. "I'll make it up for you. While we're in the city, I'll buy you something tasty, okay?"
Luke beamed. "Really? You're the best, dad!"
Although Anakin could feel his heart melting, in the pit of his stomach, a knot of self-loathing slowly formed. Was it his destiny to always hurt those he loved? Padmé, Obi-Wan, Luke… And innumerable others, slain by his blade. Even worse, at the time, he hadn't even cared. He felt like puking.
A fair way off, Anakin watched silently as Obi-Wan struck some sort of deal with the two smugglers, apparently confident in whatever he aimed to do here. When Anakin left with Obi-Wan on the ship, he had expected to be brought to some sort of rebel outpost or hideaway or whatever. Not a thriving city in the core. That was pretty much as far as you could get from any rebel activity. Anakin would know. He'd spent years chasing and killing rebels, which included knowing in general where they could be found.
Anakin might have thought this to be a temporary stop before continuing somewhere else if he didn't know they'd already spent all their credits just getting this far. That left him with the possibility that there actually was a rebel outpost on Alderaan, of all places.
Right in front of his nose.
Anakin scowled.
Obi-Wan approached, his hood drawn over his face. Anakin would have loved a cloak as well to hide his scarring, but they only had one, and Obi-Wan was a recognizable man for many. Silently, Anakin vowed to buy one as soon as possible, assuming they had the credits to spare.
"They will await our return," Obi-Wan said. "Until then, we have someone to pay a visit to."
The way he said it made it seem like both he and Anakin knew who they were visiting, but Anakin really couldn't think of anyone he knew all too well on Alderaan. Sure, he had an acquaintance or two, but he couldn't see any reason to visit them at a time like this. Not that he even wanted to visit them. The last time they met, things had gotten kind of hectic and Anakin had sort of killed one of his coworkers. It had been for the sake of the Empire, but in hindsight, he couldn't imagine that this would make him like him.
While Anakin thought such things, Obi-Wan began leading him towards wherever they were going, taking their merry little band into the city. Much like Theed on Naboo, the city was bustling with activity. Children ran about, happily chortling among each other, playing games neither Anakin nor Luke were any familiar with. Merchants announced their wares in the many marketplaces, drawing Luke's excited gaze to the many trinkets. Not that Anakin felt any different. He was just more so distracted by all the parts on display. A few of these would go a long way in making his prosthetics more useful. But these were all rather expensive, and Anakin knew they could hardly afford it. So, with a sigh, he led Luke away from them.
Obi-Wan didn't seem to have any trouble ignoring the wares and things. No, his attention was more so drawn by the gaudy holonet screens set up here and there, showing everything from advertisements to the news.
To Anakin, these were mostly uninteresting. He hadn't had much interest in the news while in Imperial employ, and he didn't have any interest in it now. All he had to know was what his masters told him. Keeping up with the galaxy was for senators and scholars. However, he could understand why his former master would be interested in it. After all, he'd been living as a hermit for around 7 years. It only made sense that he'd want to catch up a little. If Anakin hadn't been almost completely ignorant of what happened around the galaxy he'd gladly inform him himself.
A tug on the hem of Anakin's shirt brought his attention to Luke. A pair of puppy eyes met him. Another hand pointed at a food stand selling what seemed to be cubed fruits and berries in small bowls.
On Tatooine, fruits were a luxury reserved for the wealthy and corrupted. Most of the fruits sold were imported from off-world since the vast dunes of Tatooine were unable to support most fruit-bearing flora.
Anakin smiled sadly at Luke. The sign on the stand advertised two bowls for three credits, while one went for two. With their capital limited, they didn't exactly have the kind of money needed to splurge on everything they saw. Furthermore, assuming Obi-Wan wasn't pulling his leg, wherever they were going would surely have food. Anakin shook his head. "Sorry, but-,"
In the flash of an eye, Obi-Wan had moved to the fruit stand. "Three bowls, please." Anakin gaped at him. Then, Obi-Wan regrouped with the two, handing each a bowl of fruits. "Here you are. The vendor told me those little pink flowers are called Starblossoms." He smiled warmly, looking so much like a grandfather doting on his grandson.
Luke erupted into a massive grin as he accepted the cup. "Thank you, Uncle Ben!" Uncle was close enough, Anakin supposed.
Without waiting, Luke tore into the fruits, scooping them wholesale into his waiting gullet. Within only seconds, the cup was empty, leaving Luke to stare into it desolately. But, knowing that he'd already gotten what he wanted, he resolved himself to accept the consequences of his gluttony.
Anakin disagreed. With a wry smile, he gave his cup to Luke. Luke's big eyes hopped between the cup and his father's face. For a second, it seemed like he was about to reject the cup. But when he saw his father's insistent eyes, he couldn't possibly do that. So, reverently, he accepted the cup. Then, with the cup in hand, he hugged his father's robotic legs. "Thanks, dad," he said in a small voice.
When Luke now ate his fruits, he did so slowly, always glancing carefully at Anakin, a little ashamed for taking from his father, but also thankful.
Obi-Wan watched this while eating his assorted fruits and berries. Yup. Real tasty.
About two thirds into his cup, Luke turned back to regard his father. Then, slowly, he handed the cup back. Anakin, thinking his son had finished, accepted it only to find a small pile of fruits and berries at the bottom. There was at least one of each, but there was an overwhelmingly large amount of pink blossom-shaped fruits. "Those were the tastiest ones," Luke said deliberately. "So I left them for you." Then, he smiled brightly, clearly feeling that specific joy you feel when giving a thoughtful gift to someone you love.
Anakin shook where he stood. "Th-, thank you," he replied.
Slowly, slower than his son had, he ate every piece in the cup, one by one. Tasted each fruit and berry thoroughly. His son was right. The pink blossoms were the best.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Well, now that we've restocked on energy, how about we visit our old friend?"
Neither Anakin nor Luke had any objections, not that either of them knew where they were going.
They got their answer once they arrived at the royal palace. It was a massive thing in the middle of the city, overlooking a lake. Anakin could count the times he'd been there on one hand, though far from all of these times had been in any amicable situation. For a few seconds, Anakin entertained the thought that there might be a hidden rebel base beneath the palace or something. He knew it was absolutely preposterous, but it was more sensible than the realization slowly gnawing at the back of his head.
Obi-Wan approached one of the guards outside the palace doors. "Good afternoon, I'm here to meet with senator Bail Organa." Anakin's blood froze.
The guard looked Obi-Wan up and down, clearly noticing how incredibly sketchy he looked. "We have not been informed of such a visit."
"That's alright," Obi-Wan said, bringing up his hand; index and middle finger raised with the others folded. "You will bring us to senator Organa, just in case."
The guard knit his brows for a second. "I will bring you to senator Organa, just in case."
Anakin felt very, very tired. Why was it only okay when Obi-Wan did it? How unfair. Still, he couldn't deny the effectiveness.
True to his word, the guard led the trio inside the palace gates and into the interior. There, almost immediately, they were met with another guard, who stopped at noticing their strange entourage. "Who are these? Why have you brought them inside the palace yourself?"
The guard guiding them frowned, the Force persuasion keeping him in check straining under the questions directed his way. "I…"
Obi-Wan quickly stepped between them, smiling diplomatically. "We are being brought to senator Organa as his visitors. There was no one else to bring us, and so this helpful guard took some time out of his busy schedule to guide us." The guard guiding them nodded, his face lighting up in recognition and realization. Of course, that's how it was, Anakin was sure the guard thought.
The other guard seemed sceptical. "If you say so. Then, I must inform you that senator Organa's conference room is in the opposite direction."
The guiding guard's eyes widened. "Yes, of course. Thank you, we will be on our way now."
The other guard nodded and left.
Anakin breathed a sigh. Couldn't Obi-Wan have scheduled an actual meeting? Looney old croon. Ah, then again, the last time Anakin had visited senator Organa, he hadn't exactly scheduled a visit either. More like, Let me in or I'll choke your wife or something.
Senator Organa. Bail. Anakin wanted to crawl into a hole just to avoid meeting him. He'd barely known him before his turn and after Anakin became Darth Vader, they'd only met on select few occasions. During none of those times could Anakin remember Organa being entirely comfortable. Much like everyone else, when he was in the presence of Vader, he acted like he was walking on eggshells, trying not to awaken the Krayt dragon. Understandable behaviour, but the sentiment remained the same: Organa didn't like him. For good reason.
Ignoring the whole murdering-his-fellow-senator thing, Anakin could actually remember seeing Organa those weeks before everything went wrong. At that time, his role had mainly been to stand behind Palpatine and look intimidating.
...Now that Anakin thought about it, there was a fair possibility that Palpatine had done so as a political ploy to make it seem like he had the backing of the Jedi, when he instead had splintered Anakin off from everyone else to make him seem like his personal lap hound. Anakin grit his teeth. A political pawn played by Palpatine. Illiterate in the ways of politics, he'd been dragged around. Put on the council not because of his suitableness but only as a political move.
Anakin shook his head. He had to keep his thoughts on the straight and narrow. Bail.
During those weeks, Anakin had seen Organa surprisingly often, since the man came almost on the regular to argue about political things and whatnot with Palpatine. Anakin usually tuned out until Palpatine had told him what things meant, and how Organa was really a traitor, trying to dethrone Palpatine out of a ploy for personal power or something. That made Anakin very interested.
That was why, even now, after everything had changed, Anakin couldn't help but feel somewhat conflicted about Organa. He knew he was probably a good guy.
That was why he had to treat him as such. Yes, when he met Organa, he would make sure to act nicely. To prove he was good.
Anakin set his jaw firm.
The guard finally stopped in front of a door. Much like every other door in the palace, it was of a gorgeous, classic design, very alike the palace on Naboo. However, unlike other doors in the palace outfitted with grandeur in mind, this one seemed almost subdued, likely on personal request from Organa, who mostly used splendour in political games.
"Senator Organa should currently be in his studies which is directly connected to the conference room. He will entertain you momentarily." With that, the guard left, without even realizing that he'd been duped. Obi-Wan thanked his receding back, turned back to Anakin, and smiled.
"Shall we meet the senator, then?"
Anakin gulped. "Yeah."