Chapter 6: The Crimson Dawn & Rescuing Anakin
Flashback - 7 years ago
"Anakin?" Came Padme's soft gentle voice. They were in the medical centre on Courscant. It had been close to five hours since Leia had gone into labour and Han rushed her to the medical centre shortly ahead of Padme, Anakin, Keely, Luke, Henry and Chewbacca rushed to the medical centre.
Padme stay by their daughter's side along with Han throughout the labour while Anakin waited outside with their other children. Luke, Keely, Henry and Chewbacca had gotten hungry so headed for something to eat leaving Anakin alone in the hallway.
Half an hour later, that was when he heard his wife's voice before he looks up to find her cradling a baby wrapped in a thick white blanket in her arms. Anakin slowly gets to his feet, "Is that…..?" He asks before he pauses seeing her nod, unable to stop the tears flowing. "Yes Anakin, we have a grandson" she breathes with a smile. "And he wants to meet his grandpa" she says before she gently passes the baby into Anakin's arms
It was then like Padme, Anakin felt the tears immediately fall as he looks down at the little baby in his arms. His eyes were still closed but he was stretching his tiny fingers. It instantly reminded him of holding his own children after they were born, he smiled down at the baby - he was a grandpa. He couldn't believe it.
Suddenly, he then saw the baby slowly open his eyes, dark brown just like Leia's. Anakin felt the tears fall even more unable to stop, he saw the baby lock eyes with him as Padme is overcome with emotion. "Someone knows their grandpa" she comments as Anakin smiles "I'll always be there to protect you little one" he whispers
End of flashback
Anakin was suddenly jerked awake once more more by the sudden sharp increase of electricity surging through his cuffs before his eyes open and he saw Thrawn standing before him once more with his familiar smirk and gleam in his eye. His hands clasped behind his back.
"It's not long now Skywalker" Thrawn spoke in his cold voice. "The Crimson Dawn is most keen to meet you" he reminds him as Anakin grunts just as the guard increases the electrical charges once more. "Good" Anakin simply replies "Because I'm curious to see why they want to meet with me when I've done nothing to cross with them before" he spat.
Thrawn shakes his head "You will soon see and then I will have the pleasure of ensuring you never infer in my business again" he informs with a nod to the guard, Thrawn then left the room, the sound of Anakin's screams could be heard as he moved down the ship's hallway.
When Luke slowly opened his eyes, he found himself still in the med bay. He slowly looked down to see one of his hands wrapped in a bandage as he started to remember how he ended up here. He then heard an excited shriek "Luke!" Came Keely's voice getting out of her seat to move over towards him as he slowly sits up in the bed. Henry was already awake with Leia beside him. "How long was I asleep?" He asks.
Keely took a seat beside her big brother. "Almost 10 hours" she informs him before Luke then starts to remember what's happened. "Where's dad?" He asks "What happened to Thrawn?" He adds as Keely remains silent looking to her sister just as Leia feels all eyes on her. "Leia?" She hears Henry asks "What happened with Thrawn and dad?" He asks as Leia takes a deep breath before she swallows the lump in her throat before she speaks
"Thrawn…." She begins to say going on "He forced dad to surrender or otherwise he'd have his men kill all of us, even after Ben tried to stop him with rocks" she explains. Henry quietly sniggers as Luke's eyes widen "Ben?" He asks "I thought he was safe inside the Academy?" He asks as Leia shook her head "Apparently he told Han and I that he sensed we needed help so he convinced R2 to unlock the door so he find us which we're still not happy about" she admits as Luke tried not to smirk like he was impressed and instead then asked "So, how's mom?" He asks as Leia goes on
"Like all the times something's happened with dad, she's distraught, fearing the worst will happen. She's hoping that Han's knowledge of the Crimson Dawn will help find Thrawn" she points out. "The Crimson Dawn?" Luke asks as Keely adds "When Thrawn captured dad, he mentioned the Crimson Dawn was keen to meet him. Han said they were a smuggling ring he knew in his smuggler days" she replies.
Henry then looks over at his two sisters "So where's mom now?" He asks as Leia answers him "She's looking after Ben and Rey in the Academy gardens. We convinced her to get some fresh air and perhaps being with the kids will help take her mind off dad until we hear from Han" she admits. Luke nods "Well, it's worked with us before" he replies
Flashback - 7 years before the Battle of Yavin - Mission to Malachor
It was only an hour since Anakin had left with Ahsoka, Kanan and Ezra to journey to Malachor leaving Padme, Luke, Leia and their two month old daughter Keely back at the rebel base. Luke and Leia could sense that their mother felt uneasy and upset to see her husband going once more so they decided to keep their mother distracted by exploring the grounds of the base.
Padme, carrying little Keely in her arms, followed Luke and Leia through the trees. "Where are we going?" She asks them "We shouldn't go too far from the base just in case your father returns early?" She asks as Luke smiles back at his mother "If that happens I'm sure Captain Hera will come find us" he only replies as Padme shakes her head looking down at little Keely in her arms, asleep. She didn't want to admit it to herself but she definitely saw Anakin's streak for adventure in the twins however she also sensed that they had been asked by Anakin to keep her distracted while he went to Malachor with Ahsoka, Kanan and Ezra.
The sunlight was shining through the trees as Padme continued to follow Luke and Leia until they reached the clearing where Padme gasped seeing that her twins had helped set up a small picnic. Leia and Luke both looked up at their mother "We may have borrowed some rations from the gallery kitchen" he says before Leia then also adds "But, Bail did help us because we told him what we were doing and he liked the idea" she assures her as Padme shakes her head smiling taking a seat on the blanket they had placed down on the grass just as Keely started to fuss in her arms.
Luke and Leia sat down, one of each side of their mother just as she reached for the baby bag to retrieve Keely's bottle. "Well, this is a lovely place. Quiet, peaceful and no place I'd rather be then with my beautiful children" she admits as Luke and Leia shared smirks with each other. It was time away from the base since they had first been here, just the four of them and allowing their mother time with her children and less worry about Anakin.
End of flashback
Keely tilts her head looking at Luke and Leia "I don't remember that" she confesses as Luke laughs "Of course not, you were only two months old and dad didn't want to leave mom so soon but he couldn't let Ahsoka, Kanan and Ezra go to Malachor without him so mom convinced him that he needed to go" he informs him. Leia nods "Mom was still upset so that's why we decided to take her on the picnic which was a success" she adds. It was then Henry then reminds them "Except this time, we don't know where dad is" he mutters as Luke, Leia and Keely were silent before Luke looks over at his little brother "But it won't stop us from bringing him home" he ensures him.
Whilst, at the same time, outside in the Academy gardens, Padme was walking with Ben and Rey. Ben was showing his grandmother and his friend more force skills and techniques he had been learning. He had learnt so much in just a few years and she knew Anakin would be proud seeing him now especially trying to stop Thrawn. Padme then sighs taking a seat on the edge of one of the gardens just as Ben, who had just levitating rocks around before him, stops and looks back at his grandmother.
"What's wrong, grandma?" He asks softly "I can show you the butterflies I found with Rey" he says as Rey looks over at Padme noticing that she appears to be crying softly. "Ben" Rey said in a soft voice as Ben then noticed his grandma was crying. He moved over towards her. "Grandma?' He asks as Rey looks up at him "She's sad" she softly replies as Ben places a hand on his grandma "Don't worry grandma, we'll rescue grandpa. Uncle Lando's trying to find out right now where he could be" he insists
Padme, tearfully looks over at her grandson and Rey, softly smiling before she lifts him up to sit beside her before lifting Rey onto her lap. "Oh Ben" she replies placing one hand on his cheeks "You remind me of your grandpa. He would be so proud of you" she says as Ben smiles "Did grandpa really fly a pod racer when he was a kid?" He asks seeing her grin and nod "He sure did. He helped us leave Tatooine that day and started his Jedi journey" she explains as Ben rests his head against her arm.
"I hope we find him soon" he admits as Padme pulls her grandson in closer. "I hope so too Ben" she only replies. She didn't want to worry her grandson more with her fears however this has now been their third encounter with Thrawn and she feared this time Thrawn would not let her husband live. She only hoped this Crimson Dawn, who ever they were did not want to kill Anakin and they had a chance to rescue him before anything sinister happened. She decided to keep positive for the children.
"We will Ben" she simply replies as Rey looks up at her "You mean it?" She asks softly as Padme nods "I believe it" she replies as Ben grins "Aunt Kee says our family will find grandpa and she's right" he promises making her laugh before they continued on their walk through the gardens.
Once his old friend had called him for help, Lando had put the call out to his smuggler friends and allies for help in locating the Crimson Dawn. He didn't expect to hear anything from any of them so soon however when one of his contacts sent a message from the planet Nar Shaddaa located in Hutt region, the sister planet of Nar Hutta. Lando wasted no time in making his way to the planet.
Nar Shaddaa had come to be known as the Smuggler's Moon and dominated by bounty hunters and Hutt crime lords. It was the perfect setting for Crimson Dawn operations but Lando wondered if this information was new or would still keep them at square one and he'd have nothing to report to Han.
Lando landed his ship, the Lady Luck and headed straight for the cantina. He kept his hood over his face so that no one would recognise him. Since the fall of the Empire, General Lando Calrissian had become a hero who helped destroy the Empire and unfortunately he still found there were those who were not allies.
The cantina was bursting with life as he entered the cantina and headed straight for the bar where the music was filling the room. He soon spotted his contact sitting alone at the back of the cantina, hood over their face. Lando ordered himself a drink from the bar before he headed over towards the table.
"Still keeping a low profile are we?" Lando smirks taking a seat seeing the figure raise their head but still keeping their hood up. "Nar Shaddaa is a place I'd rather not be recognised by any of these people" he admits with another glance over his shoulder. Lando nods "Well, I won't keep you much longer but your message said that you had news for me about the Crimson Dawn" he says. The man straightens and looks around once more to ensure no one heard him. "Shh!" He whispers "You need to be quiet. It was hard enough getting this information without them knowing, but we need to be quiet. They have ears everywhere" he warns
Lando nods "The sooner you tell me what you have found out, the sooner you can leave" he promises him. The man nods before he beckons him to lean in closer before he speaks in a low voice. "The Crimson Dawn have been using Nar Shaddaa as a holding port for their dealings and illegal supplies over the last few years. It's now become a half way point between their deals however I overheard a conversation between two Crimson Dawn employees who were talking about an incoming delivery from one of the Crimson's Dawn newest partner" he reveals as Lando nods "Did you happen to hear a name?" He asks as the man slowly nods
"Some man who goes by the name Thrawn" he reveals "And these men were quite excited about this delivery" he adds. Lando stiffens. They had to be talking about Anakin. Lando then took some credits that were in a small bag out from his pocket. "Thank you. You've been very helpful" he replies watching the man take the bag off the table before he then remembers "Be careful here. According to these men, the leader of the Crimson Dawn is here and they haven't been spotted on Nar Shaddaa since they first established a base here. So whatever is happening, you should be careful" he warns. Lando gives him a small smirk "Thanks for the warning but I can assure you my friends can handle the Crimson Dawn" he assures him. They were the Skywalkers after all, heroes of the Rebellions. The Crimson Dawn would regret crossing them.
Lando then got to his feet. "Thank you once again, make yourself scarce" he warns before he silently slips from the cantina to head back to his ship. He needed to contact Han straight away so that they could stop the Crimson Dawn and rescue Anakin before it was too late.
Whilst back on Yavin 4, Han was working on the Millennium Falcon in the hanger with the Chewie. He was ensuring that the hyperdrive they brought from Jakku was stabilising and any damage sustained during the fighting was repaired. Han was working inside the ship whilst Chewie was on top working on the outer repairs. "Alright Chewie!" Han calls out through his comm "I'm almost done here. A few more minutes then we fire up the hyperdrive to ensure everything's working normally" he informs him.
However, it was at that moment Han heard the sound of his comm chiming. "Hang on a minute Chewie" he calls out moving away from the hyperdrive to head into the cockpit. He pressed the button to activate the comm before he sees a small hologram of Lando appear before him. Han takes a seat "Tell me you have good news buddy" he says as Lando chuckles "I said I'd only contact you if I'd had good news and I have news" he replies as Han places his arms at the back of his head "Well, I'm all ears" he says as Lando goes on
"One of my contacts on Nar Shaddaa overheard conversation about Crimson Dawn dealings and how they've been using the spaceport as a stop over in between their dealings and my contact over heard them saying that there's an important delivery coming and the leader of the Crimson Dawn is here" he replies
Han could feel a smile cross his face - he didn't expect any news so soon but the sooner they had something the sooner they could rescue Anakin. He then heard Lando go on "I don't know how long they'll be here so you best act now old buddy" he reminds him as Han nods "I'm going to go inform them right now. You still on Nar Shaddaa?" He asks as Lando nods "Ready and waiting for you all" he replies as Han laughs "See you soon then" he tells him before he shuts the comm off and gets to his feet.
"Chewie!" He calls out "Change of plans, we've gotta inform everyone about Lando's message" he informs him moving down the landing ramp as Chewie meets him at the entrance. He gives a small cry as Han nods "The sooner we form a rescue party, the sooner we can bring Anakin home" he informs him before Chewie follows him from the hanger to find everyone. Luckily, he remembered Padme saying she wanted to take Ben and Rey out to the gardens and he knew Padme should be the one who knew the information first.
Han passed several groups of students training or tending to minor repairs down to the Academy sustained during the battle. Han exited the Academy into the gardens where he spotted Padme kneeling beside Rey watching as Ben showed them a small group of butterflies. It was Ben who saw turned and saw his dad moving towards them
"Dad!" He cried rushing over towards him as Padme turns to look over at him. She gets to her feet, holding Rey's hand in hers. Han could see she had a little hope in her face as she hoped he had good news for her. "Han" she spoke softly. "Have you heard from Lando?" She asks as Rey looks up at Han at the same time Ben looks up at his dad silently. Han then gives her a small smile.
He nods "I wasn't expecting to hear from him so soon but Lando wanted to help in any way he could and he contacted some of his old smuggler contacts and he received a response from one on Nar Shaddaa" he reveals. Padme blinks "Nar Shaddaa?" She asks "In Hutt space? What would the Crimson Dawn be doing there?" She adds as Han shrugs "Lando said his contact told him that they've been using Nar Shaddaa as a holding place for their supplies and deliveries. He believes that they're only using the city as a holding place and that the leader is coming to Nar Shaddaa because of an important delivery" he explains.
Padme gasps "We can't waste this opportunity!" She cries "This could be our chance to rescue Anakin before it's too late" she insists "Let's go tell the children so we can plan the rescue!" She insists leading them back towards the Academy as Ben looks over at Rey smiling proudly "Rey!" He cried "We're close to finding my grandpa" he excitedly says seeing her give a small smile back at him but kept quiet as Padme led them back into the Academy and straight to the med bay to inform Luke, Leia, Keely and Henry.
When Thrawn's ship landed at one of Nar Shaddaa's spaceports, Anakin's wrists had been cuffed and he had been fitted with a neck cuff which omitted an electric shock if he tried to use the force much. The spaceport was dark and dim along with a musky smell in the air and despite trying to not use the force, Anakin sensed nothing but darkness around the spaceport and despite the Empire being gone for eight years, the planet was still thriving with illegal businesses and criminal Empire activity.
Thrawn stopped meters before a figure dressed in dark, navy jumpsuit with matching cloak, their hair was pinned up into a high bun except for a gray pieces of hair framed around their face. "Thrawn" they spoke in a firm, calm voice which belonged to a female voice. It was hard to see in the dim light but Anakin studied the figure and knew they definitely weren't male.
Thrawn spoke "It is an honour to finally meet you in person" he replies seeing her smile "I see you have fulfilled your promise and delivered your prisoner to the Crimson Dawn" she states turning to move over towards Anakin. As she stepped closer towards him, Anakin was correct - the figure was a female. She was slightly older than Leia maybe six years older. She smirks "So, this is the Jedi General and Rebellion hero Anakin Skywalker?" She asks. Thrawn stepped up beside her "It's only because of the restraints but he has been a formidable opponent and with him out of the way his family will be easier to remove and the Crimson Dawn won't have to worry about crossing paths with them" he assures her as Anakin shook his head
"You're wrong about that Thrawn" Anakin spoke as the female figure studied him once more. Anakin couldn't help but notice she had taken a keen interest in him, like she had already knew about him and knew something he didn't. She turned towards Thrawn "You better not bring about our downfall because of this" she warns before she clicks her fingers before two of her guards appeared behind her.
Take our new prisoner down to the holding cells while Thrawn and I discuss our now business dealings and then we will deal with Skywalker" she informs them. The two guards each took hold of Anakin's arms before they escort him away from Thrawn and the female figure.
Qi'ra watched her two guards take their new prisoner away. After all these years, she had met Anakin Skywalker, Clone Wars Jedi General and Rebellion hero, the one Maul was so afraid would turn on everyone. He was not like any prisoner the Crimson Dawn had taken before. He was calm and composed and despite Thrawn insisting they can take down his family, Qi;ra feared that based on his calm compose stance, the Crimson Dawn would lose.
Qi'ra turned towards Thrawn "I've got a bad feeling about this" she admits as Thrawn only smirks "I assure you with my by your side, the Crimson Dawn will be as strong as ever and won't have to ever worry about the Skywalkers" he insists. Qi'ra stares back at him "You better be right about this" she only replies before she begins to lead him towards her office to discuss their new business dealings.
"Nar Shaddaa?" Keely asks once again after Padme and Han had finished informing them about Lando's message "You don't think that there are any Hutts there given that Nar Shaddaa is in hutt space" she points out reminding them of their last encounter with one of the hunts - Jabba the Hutt when they rescued Han on Tatooine eight years ago. Henry looks around at his siblings, mother and Han before Han then speaks up
"Lando's contact was very insistent that this is our chance to rescue Anakin before they leave the planet and if the leader of Crimson Dawn is already there it has to be because Thrawn took your dad there" he states as Padme nods "Han's right" she replies placing a hand on Han's arm. "We can't ignore this information and because of Thrawn's long hatred with your father, we may not have another chance" she states as Luke then gets to his feet
"I'm with you mom" he replies "We need to stage a rescue now. When Keely and dad were first taken by Thrawn years ago, we didn't hesitate and Kanan, Ezra and I went and rescued them, why are we standing around arguing about this any longer?" He asks as Keely nods standing beside her brother
"I'm going with you. Dad's going to be injured so I can perhaps heal him and help take some of his pain away" she points out as Henry then joins in "I want to be there too. I've missed out on too many battles and rescues. You're not leaving me out on this one" he admits. Leia then moves over towards Han, placing a hand on his arm, before she took one of Ben's in hers.
"I'll remain here with Chewie to look after Ben, Rey and the Academy" she informs him before they shared a soft tender kiss before Leia gave her mother a hug "I know you'll bring dad home" she smiles as Padme nods. Leia didn't even need to ask if her mother was going - she knew nothing would hold her back from being apart of the rescue of Anakin. "I know I said that Thrawn will kill Anakin but I refuse to let that happen and have him take my husband away" she tells them looking around at her children. "We'll meet at the falcon in under half an hour, the sooner we leave, the sooner we'll be back" she tells them as Leia and Luke heard the leader tone in their mother's voice. The one they had heard years ago when they were a part of the Rebellion, a voice of determination and hope. Luke, Keely and Henry all nodded in agreement before the three of them headed out of the med ward to gather their supplies as Han left to head back to the falcon leaving Padme, Leia, Ben, Rey and Chewie together.
Leia followed her mother back to her quarters with Ben and Rey minutes later as Chewie headed back to the falcon. "Are you sure you're going to be alright here by yourself, Leia?" She hears her mother say as she disappears into the fresher to change as Leia sits on the bed with Ben in her lap as Rey climbs up beside her.
"I can have Henry stay behind with you if you like" she adds as Leia chuckles "I don't think you'd be able to do that. Henry's always looking for a chance to show how far he's coming along. I'll be fine mom" she promises "I'll have Chewie, 3PO and the students with me and I'm sure Ben will want to do some training" she points out. Ben excitedly nods just as Padme re emerges from the fresher in her familiar white jumpsuit made with modifications to fit her now and her long brown hair pulled back into a high tied bun at the back of her head.
Leia smiles at her mother "Last time you went on a mission, we were going to Endor to take down the shield generator" she reminds her as Padme slips her cloak over her outfit. She sighs "I thought the day we defeated the Empire, it would be the last big mission for us all and yet here we go again, an old enemy and rescuing a member of this family" she points out. Leia smirks, looking down at her son. "Well, you have to admit it's what this family does best. We never give up on each other" she reminds her seeing her mother slip her blasters into her side holsters as she remembers the time Anakin came for them:
Flashback - 12 years ago - First Death Star
The sound of rapid blaster fire alerted Padme and Leia to the commotion outside before the door to their cell slid open and in stepped two storm troopers, one tall and one short. Leia pulls herself into a sitting position, tilting her head to the shorter stormtrooper "Your partner's a little short?" She asks just as they heard the taller stormtrooper give a small chuckle before they both take their helmets off.
"Is that any way to treat your brother?' Luke smirks as Padme then feels a smile cross her face running over towards Anakin "Anakin!" She exclaims. "You didn't think we weren't going to come to your rescue?" He asks as Padme wraps her arms around his neck. "Is Keely?' She asks as Anakin looks down at her "She's fine, she's with R2 and 3PO" he assures her as Luke then looks over at his sister
"And Obi Wan's with us" he reveals as Leia's eyes widen looking over at her mother "Mom, did you hear that?" She asks "Uncle Obi Wan's with them!" She exclaims as Anakin takes Padme's hand whilst Luke takes his sister's. "Come on!" Anakin tells them before they rush from the cell to meet up with Han and Chewie.
End of flashback
Padme smiles to herself as she then hears Ben asks "Grandpa and uncle Luke dressed up as stormtroopers?" He asks his mother as Leia laughs "Well, it was the only way they could get through the death star undetected. "Your dad was there too, it was the first time I met your dad" she insists as Padme turns around towards her daughter and grandson. "Your mother's right Ben and now it's my turn to rescue grandpa" she promises him before she gave Ben and Rey each one last hug before hugging her daughter before they followed her back out of her quarters to head down to the hanger.
A few minutes later, Padme, Luke, Keely and Henry were in the hanger saying goodbye to Leia, Chewie, Ben and Rey. Han stood by the landing ramp. "I know the Academy's in good hands while we're gone" Luke tells his sister who nods "You have nothing to worry about, just bring our dad home" she tells him as Henry smirks "We're going to show Thrawn just who he's messed with" he grins.
Leia shakes her head before she watches her mother and siblings move up the landing ramp right as Han came over towards her. They shared a tender romantic kiss before he kneels down to his son "I'll be back before you know it kid" he replies "Stay out of trouble" he smirks as Ben grins playfully "Okay" he only replies before they watch Han move up the landing ramp before they watch the falcon fire up taking off out of the hanger leaving them behind.
Leia then heard Ben tugging on her arm "Come on mom, can I show you my force tricks?' He asks as Rey looks up at Leia "He's good" she softly replies as Leia smiles down at her son seeing him staring up at her with his bright brown eyes. They reminded her of Han's however the eagerness to want to show her what he's learned came from both Keely and Henry. Leia took her hand in his before she took Rey's hand. "I'd love to see what you've learnt so far Ben" she says leading them from the hanger with Chewie following them. She would enjoy this time with her son and knew her husband and family would succeed in their mission to bring Anakin home.
As the falcon flew through hyperspace, Padme sat with Luke, Keely and Henry right as Han ensured the flight path was all set before he joined them. "Well, we should be at Nar Shaddaa within the next few hours. I've messaged Lando to inform him we're on our way and he's sent me the location of his ship docked on Nar Shaddaa, although if I know my old friend he's at the sabbacc tables" he informs them.
Henry then looks over at Han "Sabbacc tables?" He asks "Isn't that how he lost the falcon?" He adds as Han smirks "Yes, but my friend still enjoys a good game of sabacc in his time" he smirks "Although he'll never be playing against me. I got what I wanted" he says referring to the falcon. Henry laughs. Padme remained quiet listening to their conversation just as Luke looked over at his mother. He could sense her upset and worry for their father. Luke then placed an arm around his mother
"We're going to save him mom" Luke promised her "We've never failed before and we've a lot of troubles but we always win in the end" he reminds her. Padme looks over at her son giving him a small smile, placing a hand on his arm. "You're right Luke" she begins to say "I just worry for Anakin always. In the Clone Wars, we didn't have many missions together but when we did and we were separated I worried but I should trust that I'll see Anakin again" she admits. Keely nods before she adds "It's Thrawn isn't it?" She asks seeing her mother nod as Han laughs
"That blue guy won't know what will hit him when we find them on Nar Shaddaa" he says going on "If there is one I've seen with you Skywalkers, you never give up. I know I'm grateful for you all coming to my rescue from Jabba the Hutt" he says as Luke smirks "Well, Leia was very insistent for the rescue. I remember one conversation with dad. Leia stubbornly insisted that the search would not give up" he admits as Keely giggles "Leia and Anakin are quite the match together aren't they?" She asks as Padme nods as Henry then confessed
"I'm just looking forward to having a chance to be on a mission and prove myself" he explains as Luke looks over at his little brother "You've come so far in your training but you must not let your overconfidence take over you. This isn't going to be a training simulation and Thrawn won't make it easy besides only Han knows about this Crimson Dawn" he reminds him as Han laughs
"Not entirely" he confesses "I only met the leader and one associate" he admits thinking of Qi'ra adding "And to be honest this was when you were all either still hiding or with the Rebellion" he reminds them "But obviously they made a deal with Thrawn that we're going to destroy before it even started" he promises them. Luke, Keely and Henry all nodded as Padme then gets to her feet "I'm going to get some rest before we land on Nar Shaddaa" she tells them heading in the direction of the bunks as Han starts checking on the ship's progress.
Keely looked over at her two brothers "Mom's different since the battle isn't she?" She asks as Luke nods "She's concerned for dad. You're still young Henry and Keely, you weren't around those first few years of the Empire. Mom was so concerned if dad just went out for supplies, because the Jedi were being hunted and there were times where we had to move around the first few years and there were close encounters with bounty hunters which threatened our lives" he explains "Mom and dad have always been close and these last eight years I think they'd just thought they'd be happy with all of us and building the New Republic and the Academy, not having an old enemy destroy the family" he explains.
Keely and Henry remained silent as Keely then nods "I didn't want to say anything before but I could feel mom's emotions. She's in pain thinking about dad. You both didn't see the hologram message from Thrawn and then he tortured dad right in front of us and it was like it triggered something from the past" she explains. Henry remains silent as Luke nods
He reaches over to hug his sister "We'll rescue dad. I've done it before from Thrawn remember?" He reminds her as Keely gives her big brother a small smile remembering how the glass smashed and Ezra and Luke came crashing through. That then made her remember her previous conversation with Anakin. "Luke, do you think Ezra's back as well?" She asks as Luke shrugs "It's possible and perhaps after we rescue dad, we can look for him" he suggests before Keely rests her head on her brother's shoulder as he kept one arm around her as the falcon continued to fly through hyperspace.
Qi'ra, stood meters from the cell in which Anakin Skywalker was being held in. Her guards had shackled him to the wall and kept the neck cuff around his neck. Qi'ra folded her arms across her chest as she tilts her head. The man she saw in front of her was not the image she had imagined if she ever encountered the legendary Jedi, the one Maul was so fearful of and yet, despite the man before her, she was mindful that she needed to be on guard and alert.
Qi'ra nodded to her two guards to open the cell door before she moves into the cell seeing Anakin slowly raise his head to look at her. "Thrawn's using you" he spoke in a soft voice, his voice sounded weak and not as heroic as she expected although she assumed that was due to the torture he sustained on Thrawn's ship. Qi'ra smirks
"No" she spoke "He's only helping to ensure the Crimson Dawn remains out of the New Republic's line of sight and he tells me that you and your family will ensure the end of the Crimson Dawn which I have worked hard to ensured hasn't happened" she reminds him "The former leader of Crimson Dawn wanted you dead for years until he was killed by your Jedi friend Obi Wan Kenobi" she spoke
Anakin looks at her confused Obi Wan? He wondered Darth Maul? She was talking about him. He had heard from Ahsoka when they were reunited in the Rebellion about what Darth Maul had said but he also remembered Obi Wan informing him how he killed him. Qi'ra looks straight at him. "He was afraid of you" she warns as Anakin scoffs "I barely knew him. He blinded my friend" he says referring to when he blinded Kanan during their fight on Malachor. "He hunted Obi Wan for years, he deserved his death" he coldly spat.
Qi'ra shook her head "The Crimson Dawn almost fell apart had I not stepped up. They've been the only stable family I've had since I left Corellia" she informs him "You may have destroyed the Empire but the Crimson Dawn will not fall because of you" she warns, she steps closer towards him. She smirks "However, if you were to join the Crimson Dawn….." She says as Anakin shook his head. "Never" he spat as Qi'ra shrugs
"Shame, it would have been the only way you survived" she informs him before she left the cell, but not before she activated the cuffs around his wrists sending him more shock waves through his body.
"The Calrissian Chronicles Chapter 15" Lando spoke with a smirk as he sat in his ship's cockpit. He was killing time waiting for Han and the Skywalkers to arrive at Nar Shaddaa so he decided to continue recording his Chronicles. He had been distracted over the years to record them and since the fall of the Empire he had alot of Chronicles to cover. "The second death star had just exploded behind us right before I piloted the falcon right out of the trench and I'll admit it felt incredible to be back behind the controls of my beloved ship" he proudly admits before he adds "Although I did promise Han not a scratch so I dare not told him when I landed on Endor that I scraped part of the ship during the flight through the death star trench" he confesses
"When I landed on Endor, there were celebrations everywhere and seeing my old friend Han along with the Skywalkers made me welcomed even after our rocky start on Bespin, that night in the Ewok village was quite the celebration. I watched as Anakin and Luke were the last to join the celebration and finding out they were on the Death Star at the same time we were ready to blow it up, timing right?" He chuckles right at the moment his comm chimes,
He looks over at the console before he turns off his recording and presses the button before the hologram of Han appears before him. "Hey Han, how far are you now?" He asks as Han smirks "We're coming up to Nar Shaddaa now. We'll meet you at the cantina" he informs him as Lando nods "I'll be there. I've spotted Crimson Dawn guards down around the docks so it's safe to assume they're still here" he insists as Han nods "Hopefully we can take them all by surprise" he insists "See you soon buddy" he smiles before his hologram disappears and Lando gets to his feet, grabbing his cloak and hood preparing to leave his ship to head back to the cantina to await their arrival.
Nar Shaddaa came into view as Han flew the falcon through the dark tall buildings. Han spotted an empty landing platform and fly the falcon towards the platform. Henry who had been sitting in the co pilot's seat looks out at the city. "It's certainly a dark city isn't it?' He asks. Han looks over at his brother in law, realising that while Han had seen and been on many planets, Henry was still young and hadn't been out in the galaxy much certainly not to a city like Nar Shaddaa. "Smugglers use the city to conduct their illegal deals plus the Hutts often frequent the docks" he explains as he shuts down the ship before he gets up from his seat as he heard Henry speak up
"And my dad's down there in the middle of it" he says as Han nods "But not for long because we're going to rescue him" he reminds him before Henry followed him out of the cockpit to where Padme, Luke and Keely were getting ready to head out, all donning hoods and clocks over their outfits with Luke and Keely keeping their lightsabers hidden from view so they didn't attract unwanted attention straight away.
"So, we're heading straight for the cantina where Lando's going to meet us and he's going to lead us to where his contact told him where the Crimson Dawn could be" he states as Keely looks over at her mother who was remaining silent and composed but Keely could feel her mother's upset and worry. She places a hand on her mother's shoulder. "We won't fail here mom" she promises "I know you're worried that Thrawn will attempt to defeat us again but we're not letting him take dad again" she promises as Padme looks over at her daughter taking one of her hands in hers looking around at her children and Han.
"I know we will. Your father and I have faced many enemies and situations but you are right we do always end up defeating them" she insists. Han nods "Alright, let's move out" he told them heading towards the landing ramp before they proceeded down the landing ramp into the city. If Henry noticed the darkness of the city from inside the falcon, it was even darker as they made their way through the city towards the cantina.
Keely looked over at her younger brother even though they were wearing hoods, she could feel his excitement and eagerness to explore despite the mission they were here for and that was from his eagerness to explore the galaxy more having not been to many planets in 16 years. Keely leans over to her younger brother. "This is not a planet to explore lightly little brother" she warns as they followed Han, Padme and Luke through the city as Henry looks over at his sister
"I can't help it. I've not been to many planets and I want to see as much of the galaxy as I can even if it's filled with lowlifes and criminals" he confesses as Luke turns back to look at his siblings. "That sounds like a Skywalker but just don't let mom hear you say. She didn't even like when Leia and I went with dad on our first Rebellion mission" he tells them as they saw the cantina coming into view. The neon lights were the only bright lights in the city as they followed Han and Padme into the cantina heading towards the bar section where the music was flowing. Han then spotted his friend sitting towards the back of the cantina. "This way" he told Padme, Luke, Keely and Henry.
Henry then started to notice how a few of the females were eyeing him off even though he kept his hood up. He then leans over towards his brother "There's some beautiful girls here" he whispers as Luke sniggers "We must not lose our focus brother. There may be time after" he smirks as Henry grins whilst Keely rolled her eyes as they reached their mother and Han. Han smirks down at his friend. "You'd never looked more out of place buddy" he smirks seeing Lando slowly raised his head as he looks not at Han but straight towards Padme. Lando gets to his feet.
"Hello again Padme" he grins moving over to lift one of her hands to kiss. Luke shakes his head as Han rolls his eyes. Padme only smiles under her hood. "You're bold without Anakin around aren't you Lando?" She asks as Lando shrugs "I can never ignore a beautiful woman" he says before he then notices Keely standing in between her brothers. "Hello there little miss" he smiles as Henry becomes impatient. "We don't have time for this!" He snaps under his breath trying to not draw attention to them as Han speaks up
"The kid's right Lando. This isn't the time for flirting. We need to infiltrate the Crimson Dawn before they decide to move on from Nar Shaddaa" he informs him as Lando nods "Come with me" he simply replies moving past them back towards the exit. Keely leans over towards her brothers. "When we rescue dad, we should leave out the part where Lando flirted with mom again" she suggests as Luke lightly chuckles "Agreed" he replies as they exited the cantina into the dark city.
"The docks are to the left and according to some locals in the cantinas, had been unused until recently with a few whispering the Crimson Dawn's name" Lando explains. "I've tried to gain access to the docks saying I'm collecting my supplies but they turned me away" he explains just as Luke looks over at them "So, how do we get in there?" He asks adding "Dad's definitely in one of the warehouses, I can sense him" he reveals just as he feels his mother quickly take hold of his hand.
"Anakin and I have gotten into many situations before" she reminds them "We just need to see if there is a back way in" she adds. Han nods with a smirk "There usually always is and…." Han pauses just as he notice a small group of guards carrying crates through a dark entrance. He looked over at Luke. "And I think I know how we're getting in" he replies as Luke follows his gaze realising Han was about to implement a similar plan they had done on the first death star when they rescued Padme and Leia. Luke grins "I just hope this time we'll be able to see underneath their outfits" he confesses remembering how stormtrooper helmets did not make for easy viewing.
Several minutes later, Han, Luke and Henry were able to knock out several Crimson Dawn guards who had been unloading their supplies from their ships. Now, Lando, Han, Luke and Henry all stood covered head to toe in their outfits and only their eyes were visible. Padme and Keely had taken cloaks from another two guards and slipped them over their outfits, with their hoods over their faces.
Henry looked over at his brother. "This idea actually worked when you rescued mom and Leia?" He asks as Padme nods "It sure did. When Anakin and Luke came into our cell in their stormtrooper outfits, we were both afraid they were going to take for more interrogation till they remove their helmets' she points out. Luke adjusts the cloth around his face. "Least, this time I can see with my own eyes" he admits as Han looks around at them all
"Alright, so we shouldn't have a problem sneaking in and hopefully one of the guards will carelessly reveal where Anakin's being kept" he says. Lando then pushes open a door leading into the base. "Let's move out" he tells them before they all followed him through the door and into the base. The hallway was quiet and empty however they knew they had the right place because they had seen the guards carrying the supplies in plus Luke, Keely and Henry could all sense their father from inside.
It was then at that moment Padme felt her daughter grip her arm letting out a little gasp. Padme turns towards her daughter "Keely, sweetie, what's wrong?" She asks seeing her daughter's eyes close, her head tilted as Lando, Han, Luke and Henry look over at her "It's dad" Luke says realising his sister empathy senses were taking over. "Keely?" He asks before they all saw her open her eyes. "I felt dad's pain, not just physical this time but mentally he's afraid" she says as Henry then spoke "Let's keep moving because the sooner we find dad, the sooner we can get out of here" he admits before they continued down the hallway.
They were about to turn another corner before they heard footsteps coming towards them causing them to halt in their steps just as Luke had an idea and steps up in front of Han and Lando listening as the footsteps getting closer as Lando looked to Han confused as Han softly spoke "Uh, Luke…." He starts to speak before Luke raises a hand to keep silent before he steps out in front of the footsteps before Han, Lando, Padme, Keely and Henry all heard a response
"Shouldn't you be down at the docks unloading the supplies. The boss wants the supplies off the ship" the guard spoke obviously fooled by Luke's disguise thinking he was one of them. Luke straightens up, raises a hand before him before he spoke "I'm looking for the prison cells, you will tell me where they are" he speaks as the guard suddenly responds "The cells are one floor below us, you will find our prisoners there" Luke smirks "You didn't see me. You were on your way to the cantina" he says with a smirk.
Henry and Keely exchanged a smirk together as the guard responded "I didn't see you, I'm on my way to the cantina" he says before he moves past Luke and continues down the hallway away from the group. Lando breathes a sigh of relief "Well, I'm impressed those Jedi mind tricks are very handy" he grins. Padme steps up "Well done Luke, now let's continue to make our way down to the cells" she insists in a strong voice before she moves past Han and Lando taking charge alongside her eldest son Luke to lead everyone down to the cells.
They only had one more encounter with a guard in which this time Keely used a mind trick on the guard to send them on their way before they reached the cell block. Majority of the cells were empty as they cautiously moved past the empty cells before they came across Anakin's. Heavily breathing, chained to the wall, he was not the same man who was fighting back on Yavin. "Anakin!" Padme breathes feeling a smile cross her face as Henry took out his lightsaber and sliced through the door with his yellow blade before Keely lifted the cell door with the force to move it aside so that it didn't crash onto the floor. Lando and Han stood at the door's entrance keeping look out while Padme, Luke, Keely and Henry entered the cell.
Padme rushed up to her husband placing her hands on his face. "Anakin!" She breathes lifting his head so that he was looking at her, his blue eyes almost blood shot with dark circles before he looked over at her "Padme" he breathes as Luke and Henry unlocked his cuffs around his wrists and ankles before Keely removed his neck cuff noticing the blood bleeding from a fresh wound on his neck. Closing her eyes, she used her healing abilities once more to heal the wound. Anakin looks over at her "Thanks" he breathes as Padme and Luke each took one of his arms around their shoulders.
Anakin looked around at his wife and children "You….." He breathes "all came…for me" he smirks as Henry grins "Of course we did. We're not going to let Thrawn destroy our family" he informs him just as Han enters the cell. "And we can talk when we're back on the falcon, but now we need to get out of here" he insists. Henry and Keely, lightsabers in hand, went first with Han before Padme and Luke helped Anakin out through the cells. Lando was already at the entrance to the cells.
"Good to see you again Anakin" he smirks "Sorry it's under these circumstances" he adds as Anakin lightly laughs before they continued out of the cell block. Unfortunately, getting out of the base was going to prove more harder as they turned the corner down the first hallway and were blocked once more.
Lando and Han grabbed their blasters as Henry ignited his yellow lightsaber and Keely ignited her orange lightsaber at the same time Padme tightened her grip around Anakin as Luke remained by his father's side right at the moment they were suddenly surrounded by guards with blasters aimed at them before they all heard a cold, calm voice.
"Did you really think you'd succeed in your rescue?" Came Thrawn's voice as he stepped into the light as Henry and Keely both tightened their grips on their lightsabers, their yellow and orange blazes casting light over his face. Henry scoffs "Obviously you don't know our family well enough" he taunts "No one tears this family apart" Keely adds as Han cocks his blaster "Just say the word and I'll fire a blaster right between the eyes" he warns however Thrawn remained unfazed by Han's warning and instead smirked even more.
"I don't think my new ally and their soldiers will allow one blaster bolt to touch me" he warns as Henry shakes his head "Who says it will be a blaster?" He asks right as another voice joined them. "If you value Skywalker's life, you'd all lay down your weapons and surrender or I'll give the order for my guard who's blaster is trained at Skywalker's back to shoot" they warned before the figure stepped into the light.
Han's eyes widen in shock as the figure stepped into the light - the tall slender frame of the figure hadn't changed much, there were wrinkles around the face and streaks of gray hair through their once brown hair as they wore a dark navy jumpsuit. "No" Han breathes as Luke, Anakin, Padme, Henry and Keely all looked over at him confused "Han?" Keely asks him as Han shook his head "I don't believe it" he replies dropping his blaster as even Lando couldn't believe who he was looking at.
Flashback - Battle of Yavin
From inside the control room inside the Rebel base on Yavin four, Padme and Leia watched the battle unfold around the Death Star. They could hear Anakin and Luke communicating with each other and the other pilots. The Death Star was getting closer. Padme could feel Keely clinging to her, her arms around her waist as she peers slowly over to look down the battle.
"The Death Star is clear to the planet" they heard one of the soldiers warn everyone as Keely tightens her grip around her mother as Leia places a hand on her mother's hand exchanging a worried nervous look together, fearing that Anakin, Luke and the pilots would not make it this time.
Whilst up in space, Anakin, Luke and Rebel pilot Wedge Antilles had started their trench run however it wasn't long before they were pursed once more by three Imperial fighters. Wedge had his ship hit a few minutes into the trench run prompting Anakin and Luke to order him to get clear. Another blast to Anakin's ship, this time R2 was hit. "Luke, I've lost R2, we need to make this shot!" he orders unaware that right behind the fighters, one of which was Palpatine's apprentice, were preparing to fire.
Suddenly incoming blasters were coming from behind the Imperial fighters before Anakin, Luke, and everyone back at Rebel base heard a familiar cheery voice just as they took down one of the fighters. "Yahoo!" Came Han's excited voice taking out the other fighter which knocked it into Palpatine's apprentice ship sending him flying out of the trench.
"You're all clear you two" he cries as Leia and Padme feel the smile cross their faces as Padme bends down to lift Keely into her arms hearing Han go on "Now let's blow this thing and go home!" He exclaims right before both Anakin and Luke fired on their control sending missiles directly into the Death Star's exhaust port before they all flew back out of the trench as seconds later the Death Star exploded.
"Great shot, that was one in a million!" Anakin and Luke heard Han tell them. With Han's surprise arrival, they had managed to destroy the Death Star and save the Rebellion
End of flashback
Once again, Han found himself with the sudden pressure of ensuring his family and himself escaped the Crimson Dawn and now with the realisation that his old friend and the girl he had grown up and loved, Qi'ra was now head of the Crimson Dawn, had Han lost for words. Qi'ra had ordered their weapons to be taken from them and instructed her guards to lock Anakin, Padme, Luke, Keely, Henry and Lando back in a cell before ordering two guards to bring Han to the meeting room.
Han watched her turn towards him a smirk on her face "Smile" Han heard Qi'ra say "I told you, all those years ago, my word for thinking of you was smile" she admits as Han shook his head "I also remember you saying you were right behind me when I left to go rescue Chewie" he reminds her. Han moved closer towards her "I watched you leave in Dryden's ship just after Beckett was killed. Qi'ra moves over towards Han as he goes on "What happened to leaving together, buying our ship?" He asks adding "Guess your loyalty to the Crimson Dawn was stronger than you made out" he points out.
It was then he noticed Qi'ra's face, she looked a little hurt by that remark. "Han" she spoke in a soft voice lifting a hand to touch his face however he pulled back, stepping back. "No Qi'ra" he replied "You've got my family and friend" he starts to say referring to Lando. "Lock up in your cell because of your new crazy ally's vengeance. He's using you Qi'ra" he argues.
Qi'ra shakes her head "Thrawn tells me that if Anakin Skywalker and his family are alive, that they are a threat to Crimson Dawn" she states as Han scoffs "He's lying to you. They didn't even know about the Crimson Dawn till Thrawn attacked the Academy on Yavin 4. I didn't even think the Crimson Dawn existed till he said the name" he tells her. "I know that if you let us all leave, the Crimson Dawn can continue to carry whatever business you are doing and you'll never hear from us again" he promises as Qi'ra looks towards the window out into the dark city.
"Qi'ra" he spoke "You can't be seriously listening to that blue creep" he tells her "You knew me first and I'm telling the truth. The Skywalkers aren't your enemy" he insists as Qi'ra takes a deep breath. For the first time since taking leadership of the Crimson Dawn, she was at a lost of what she needed to do and who she should listen to.
Next time: Locked in their cell, Keely's empathy senses take over her once more as she fears for the worst for her family as they hope Han will come through for the family whilst Thrawn attempts to persuade Qi'ra into handing over Anakin and Luke to him so that he can meet with Empire sympathisers as Han tries desperately to sway his old friend and girl he loved to let them leave and Leia sees first hand for herself a bond beginning between her son and Rey.