Obi-Wan brought the ship down through the thick clouds above the city, watching the bright sunlight glisten on the surface of the large, blue lake that lay just to the east of the city center. As they dropped quickly toward the bustling city below them, he pressed the mic switch on his control yoke.
"Arfour," he said, looking out over the green, sprawling countryside as they dropped toward the planet's surface, "have we received clearance to land yet?"
Arfour signaled to him from his position in the rear of the sleek, red and gold fighter. Obi-Wan looked down at the display with a smile, as the onboard translator displayed the little droid's message.
"Excellent," he said. "Take the helm, and bring us into the city's main spaceport."
It only took a few moments for Arfour to cross the city to the small spaceport and, quickly and smoothly, the little droid fired the landing thrusters, and dropped the ship neatly into one of the docking stations and powered down the engines.
Obi-Wan pressed the button on his console, and, as the cockpit over the small, two man fighter slid back and locked, he hopped out onto the wing and down to the ground beside his ship.
"Arfour," Obi-Wan said, as he walked to the storage compartment near the wing and retrieved his travel case, "stay with the ship, and contact me immediately should you receive any transmissions from the Council, understood?"
Arfour swung his sensors toward his master, whistling and beeping in reply. "Very good," Obi-Wan said. "I'll be at the coordinates I gave you. Contact me if you need me."
Arfour beeped again, and then turned his attention back to their ship, as Obi-Wan turned and walked toward the small, but bustling, spaceport's main entrance.
The small city of Venecia, where Anakin and Padmé lived, was a beautiful place; everything about it was simple, and brought him a warm feeling of peace and serenity every time he visited. It had only taken him a few moments to find the nearest rental station, and, as quickly and easily as usual, he had rented a small speeder and was on his way in no time.
It was mid afternoon; the journey from Coruscant to Naboo had taken him just about six hours, in the small, long range fighter. It was reliable, and amazingly quick when it needed to be, but its hyperdrive unit wasn't operating as well as it should be, so the trip had taken several hours longer than it usually would have. He would have to see about having that unit replaced, as soon as the current situation settled down and allowed it.
He took a deep breath, as he made his way along the busy streets of the city, toward the small workshop. He smiled to himself; it had been a long time since he had made a surprise visit, and Anakin was long overdue for one.
"You know, Ruwee," the short, elderly man with fiery red hair said, reaching into his pocket and producing a large number if credits in his wrinkled, well weathered hand, "if it were anybody but you and Anakin, I'd be convinced that you'd pulled a switch on me somehow."
He looked back up at Ruwee with a grin, regarding him slyly with one eye, the other squeezed tightly shut, as he took a handful of credits and handed them to Ruwee, who stood smiling broadly at him.
"Now, now, Barrymore," Ruwee said, his eyes twinkling as he took the considerable sum from the old man's hand, "you know Anakin and I would never do anything like that."
"I know," the old man nodded, laughing under his breath. "If I did, you wouldn't have that handful of credits."
Ruwee smiled at the old man as he turned and patted the speeder bike with a broad smile. "It was worth it, though," Barrymore said, regarding his newly repaired speeder fondly. "I've had this old thing for years. Would have been a shame to have to toss it on the scrap pile."
"Tell Anakin I said thanks much," the old man said, turning to Ruwee again. "And I hope his young wife's doing well. How long till those two kits arrive?"
"Three months," old man Barrymore heard Anakin shout from the back of the workshop. He looked at Ruwee with a wide grin, revealing the several teeth that were missing from his smile. "And you're welcome, Mister Barrymore," Anakin shouted, again. "I'm glad I could fix it for you."
"Good luck to you, Anakin," the old man called with a laugh. "You're gonna need it when them young ones arrive."
Ruwee shook his head and laughed as Anakin shouted from the back again. "Thanks, Mister Barrymore. I sure will."
"I'll see you soon, Naberrie," the old man said, tossing his hat back onto his head. "And thanks again. Put those credits to some good use."
"Thank you, Barrymore," Ruwee said, placing the credits into the small case under the desk. "We will, indeed. It's all going toward Padmé's nursery."
"Money well spent, indeed," the old man nodded, and he turned around and took hold of the speeder's handlebars and began to push it toward the front door of their shop.
"Thank you, kind sir," the old man said, as the hooded gentleman opened the front door and held it for him, allowing him to push the bike out and into the street.
"You're welcome," the brown-cloaked gentleman said, and, tossing his hood back onto his shoulders, Obi-Wan closed the door behind him and walked slowly toward the counter where Ruwee stood, counting the credits he had just placed in the case.
"Can I help you, sir?" Ruwee called, his eyes still focused on the credits he was counting.
"Yes, I hope so," Obi-Wan said, and as he approached the counter, he reached down and took his lightsaber from his belt and placed it on the counter so that Ruwee could see it. "I'm really hoping to find someone that can fix this thing for me," he said, as he watched Ruwee, with an expression of surprise and shock, turn his wide eyes toward the weapon the Jedi Master had just laid on the table.
Ruwee looked up and smiled widely as he recognized the golden haired, bearded Jedi who stood before him. "Well, bless my soul," he said with a laugh, reaching over the table and taking Obi-Wan's hand, shaking it tightly. "Anakin!" Ruwee called loudly, over his shoulder. There's somebody out here to see you."
"Hello, Mister Naberrie," Obi-Wan chuckled, smiling broadly. He looked up, just in time to see Anakin walk into the doorway and look up from the part he held in his hands.
"Obi-Wan!" Anakin exclaimed, and Ruwee watched as Anakin walked quickly out from behind the counter and past Obi-Wan's outstretched hand.
"Haha," Obi-Wan laughed, patting Anakin's back soundly as Anakin threw his arms around him and hugged him tightly. "It's good to see you too, Anakin."
"It's wonderful to see you, Master," Anakin beamed at him, leaning back and taking Obi-Wan's shoulders in his hands. "When did you get here? I didn't know you were coming."
"I'm sorry for the unexpected visit, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, a bit sheepishly. "It was somewhat unplanned," he said, apologetically. "I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all, Master," Anakin replied, shaking his head. "You know you're always welcome, anytime. Padmé will be thrilled to see you."
Obi-Wan looked up at Anakin's long hair, and tussled it roughly. "Your hair's getting almost as long as mine, my old padawan," he chuckled, as Anakin stepped back and laughed.
"Yes, well," Anakin laughed, running his fingers through his hair, brushing it out of his eyes. "That's her idea. She likes it that way."
"Well, that's all that matters, now isn't it?" Obi-Wan said with a laugh, his face brightening. "How's our expectant mother doing, anyway?"
"She's doing just fine, Master," Anakin nodded. He took his hands and held them out in front of his stomach. "She's a little, uhh, rounder than the last time you saw her," he chuckled.
"I would imagine so," Obi-Wan laughed in reply. "I know she's as beautiful as always. I can't wait to see her."
"Well, there's no need to wait then," Ruwee said. "Anakin, you two head on back to the house. We're caught up here this afternoon. I'll close up the shop and catch up with you shortly."
"Are you sure, Dad?" Anakin asked, looking back at his father-in-law.
"I don't want to be an inconvenience," Obi-Wan said, raising his hands.
"No inconvenience at all," Ruwee said, motioning toward the door. "Anakin's more than earned his keep today, anyway," he said, tossing a wink to his son-in-law. "You two go on ahead and I'll see you soon."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Anakin shrugged, as he patted Obi-Wan on the shoulder, and Ruwee watched as the two of them walked, talking happily with each other, toward the front of the shop and out the front door.
Threepio walked stiffly out of the greenhouse near the garden, carrying a large flat of new plants in his metal hands. He had fetched them, as Jobal had requested, as she was spending the day working in her garden, and this was the third flat he had retrieved for her.
He was halfway across the garden walk toward the gate, when he heard the speeder approaching, and he watched as it turned the corner toward the house, and then slowed to a stop just a short distance from him.
"You're home early, Master Ani," Threepio called cheerfully, as he watched Anakin hop out of the speeder and walk toward him.
"I am, Threepio," Anakin said, and he nodded toward his companion. "And I've brought a friend."
Threepio turned as he watched the cloaked figure step from the speeder, and then toss his heavy brown hood back onto his shoulders. "Hello, Threepio," Obi-Wan nodded, as he and Anakin walked around the speeder toward him.
"Bless my circuits," Threepio exclaimed, excitedly, "Master Kenobi! What a pleasant surprise indeed!"
Obi-Wan grimaced a bit, lifting his finger to his lips as he walked up to Threepio and patted his metal shoulder. "Not too loud, Threepio," Obi-Wan said, quietly. "We thought we might surprise your mistress."
"I understand perfectly, Master Kenobi," Threepio said with a nod, lowering his voice considerably. "Miss Padmé will be so pleased to see you."
"Where is she, Threepio?" Anakin asked.
"She and Miss Sola are in the living room," Threepio said, cheerfully. "At least they were, a few moments ago."
"Thanks, Threepio," Anakin said, and, placing his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, the two of them made their way quietly around the side of the house toward the kitchen door.
Threepio watched them for a moment as Anakin opened the door and, stepping inside, closed the door behind them, and the tall, silver droid turned and went back to his business, taking the tray of flowers to the garden as Jobal had requested.
Padmé looked up from her book, immediately sensing Anakin's presence as he walked into the kitchen. "Anakin's home," she said, looking across the room to where Sola sat across from her. "I wonder what he's doing home so early?"
"Well," she heard him say, as she turned and looked over her shoulder at him as he leaned against the kitchen doorway with a grin, "I thought I'd bring you a little surprise this afternoon."
"What kind of surprise?" Padmé asked, looking at him with a puzzled, but happy, expression.
"This one," Anakin said and, stepping into the living room, he reached into the kitchen and pulled Obi-Wan through the doorway so that she could see him.
Padmé and Sola both smiled brightly as Obi-Wan started across the room towards them. "Hello, Padmé," he said with a laugh, his face beaming as brightly as theirs.
"Master Kenobi!" Padmé exclaimed, as she and Sola both stood up as he and Anakin walked toward them. Anakin watched as she hugged his former master tightly. "What a wonderful surprise," she said, as she leaned back and looked at his smiling face. "Anakin didn't tell me you were coming."
"Well," Obi-Wan said, "that's because he didn't know I was. It was something of a surprise for him as well."
Obi-Wan turned to Sola, as he placed his hand on Padmé's shoulders. "Hello, Sola," he grinned, and she took his hand as he offered it to her. "I see you've been taking good care of our expectant mother, here."
"Oh, no," Sola said, nodding at Anakin. "That's all Anakin's doing," she said. "He won't let any of the rest of us have a chance."
Obi-Wan laughed and looked back at Padmé, taking a step back so that he could see her better. He looked down and smiled widely, as he saw her round stomach underneath the pale blue dress that she wore. "You look absolutely radiant, Padmé," Obi-Wan said. "How are you feeling?"
"Just fine, Master Kenobi," Padmé said, as she placed her hands on her stomach and looked back at her husband fondly. "Anakin's been taking good care of me."
"As well he should," Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Let me take your cloak, Master," Anakin said, and he took it and placed it on the chair next to the door as Obi-Wan tossed it off of his shoulders and handed it to him.
"So," Obi-Wan sighed, taking a seat in the chair next to Sola as Anakin came and sat down on the couch next to Padmé, "tell me everything that's been going on with you two since the last time I saw you. I want to know everything."
Count Dooku turned his attention from the control panel in front of him toward the flashing red light near the communications console. He reached over and pressed the button next to it, and turned his eyes back toward the data on the screen in front of him.
"Yes," he said, his voice betraying his irritation at the intrusion, somewhat, as the channel opened. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Count," the Kaminoan on the other end of the channel said, apologetically, "but we have just received an urgent transmission."
"From whom?" Count Dooku asked, looking up from the display in front of him with a rapt, attentive expression.
"Master Sidious," the Kaminoan said, quietly. "He commands that you make contact with him immediately."
Dooku sat quietly for a moment, and then reached over and placed his hand next to the button on the communications console. "Very well," he said, and, as he pressed the button under his fingers, the channel beeped and fell silent.
This was highly unusual, Count Dooku thought to himself, as he stood up from the console in his quarters and walked across his room to the holographic communications projector. Master Sidious had already contacted him, indeed, only the day before; it was a rare occasion, indeed, when his dark, mysterious master contacted him twice in such a short time.
He secured the channel with his signal encrypter, as always, and then activated the beacon. He took a seat in front of the projector and sat quietly, deep in thought, as he waited for his master's reply.
He heard the telltale beep a few moments later as the channel opened, and, as the lights in the room automatically began to dim slowly, he stood up and watched as the image of his hooded master appeared on the project before him.
"Master Sidious," Dooku replied, bowing reverently. "How may I serve you?"
"Our plans have changed, Lord Tyranus," Darth Sidious said, regarding his apprentice carefully as he stood before him.
Count Dooku looked at his master, somewhat confused, as Sidious continued. "The Jedi are weak, and the war is taking its toll on them. The time for our attack has come."
"The Jedi shall soon receive news that General Grievous has taken Supreme Chancellor Palpatine prisoner," Darth Sidious said, as Dooku listened intently. "You are to rendezvous with Grievous aboard the Imperial Hand at Coruscant. They shall learn that you will take possession of the Chancellor and deliver him to the Separatist leaders on Mustafar."
"General Grievous has left a calling card for the Jedi that they will not be able to resist," Darth Sidious continued. "The beginning of their end has come."
Count Dooku took a long, deep breath; even for Darth Sidious, this was a significant change of plans. The news of the kidnapping the Chancellor would surely incite the Jedi to action; this was a bold move, indeed.
He nodded, as he turned his attention back to his master's image. "Understood, my Lord," Dooku said, bowing slightly. "And what of our apprentice?"
"The time has come for him to prove himself," Sidious said, regarding Count Dooku with keen interest. "Bring him with you, immediately, and rendezvous with General Grievous. I will contact you when you arrive."
"Yes, my Master," Count Dooku said, bowing as the transmission faded slowly from view.
He stood quietly for a long moment, and then walked to the communications console, pressing the button next to the display again. He looked down, his face deeply troubled, as he waited for a response from the other end.
"Yes, Count?" a voice answered from the other end.
"Get him ready, and meet me at my ship in fifteen minutes," Count Dooku said. "We are leaving for Coruscant immediately."
"Understood, Count," the voice on the other end replied obediently, and then the channel beeped and went silent again.
Count Dooku stood up, taking a long, pensive deep breath, and stood quietly in the center of his chambers for a long time, and then turned and walked through the door and down the hall to the hangar where his ship awaited him.
Obi-Wan sat down on the bench across from Anakin and Padmé in the garden, just as the evening sun began to slip slowly toward the horizon. It had been a long time, indeed, since he had enjoyed such a feast as the one that Anakin's family had prepared for him.
"How do you stay so thin, Anakin?" Obi-Wan said with a groan and a laugh, as he patted his stomach and leaned back against the bench; he was stuffed; pleasantly so, but stuffed, nonetheless. "If I ate like that every day, I'd be the size of a gondark by now."
"The way he eats, I'll never know," Padmé sighed, as she cuddled close beside Anakin on the bench. "Mom says he's got the metabolism of a termite."
"He must have," Obi-Wan laughed, and he took a long, deep breath, taking in the sweet aroma of the flowers in Jobal's garden. "You're mother should be very proud of her handiwork, Padmé," Obi-Wan said, glancing around at the brilliant colors that adorned the patio where they sat. "I believe that this is the most beautiful garden in the galaxy."
"I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear you say that, Master Kenobi," Padmé smiled in reply. "She spends a lot of time on it."
"So," Obi-Wan said, as they all sat enjoying the cool evening air, "how's the business going?"
"Really good," Anakin nodded. "We've been staying busy, and business is really picking up."
"That's wonderful," Obi-Wan replied. "I'm glad things are going so well for both of you."
"How have things been with you, Master?" Anakin asked, his expression becoming more serious. "And how are things in the Republic?"
Obi-Wan took a deep, thoughtful breath. "Well," he said, "it's been difficult to tell. The skirmishes with the Separatist's droid armies have been increasing, lately."
"Has the war not slacked off any, Master Kenobi?" Padmé asked, her face becoming concerned. She couldn't help but be; she had served to protect the Republic for so long, it pained her heart to see it threatened, especially for so long. The Clone Wars had lasted far longer than even she had ever expected.
"Sadly, no," Obi-Wan said, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees. "Quite the opposite; they've been growing bolder lately, launching more attacks, in more places," Obi-Wan said, looking at them thoughtfully.
"It's getting hard to keep up," Obi-Wan said, leaning back against the bench again. "We've got Jedi spread all over the quadrant, in command of battalions of clone troopers, but we're spread very thin at the moment."
Obi-Wan took another deep breath. "And, to make matters worse," Obi-Wan said, his face deeply thoughtful, "we've got another problem, a very serious one."
Anakin leaned forward, his expression becoming more serious. "Actually," Obi-Wan continued, "that's one of the reasons I'm here. The Council asked me to come and talk to you."
"What's going on, Master?" Anakin asked, as Padmé looked at Obi-Wan, just as concerned.
"In the past three weeks," Obi-Wan said, looking at them thoughtfully, "six Jedi have been killed."
"In battle?" Padmé asked, quietly.
"No," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head slowly. "Silently, in their own quarters. Three Jedi Knights and their apprentices," he said, looking up at Anakin as he listened intently. "They were all killed with a single saber strike through the heart."
"Saber strike?" Anakin asked, looking at his master with a serious expression. "The Sith?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said. "That's what we suspect."
Anakin sat quietly, as Obi-Wan continued. "That's what the Council wanted me to talk to you about, Anakin," he said. "We've been unable to find any serious leads as to the identity of the Sith Lord since we started looking for him four years ago."
"You told me long ago, that as you were leaving the Senate Building that day," Obi-Wan said, as he looked at his young friend, "that you sensed something that troubled you. Do you have any better idea of what it was?"
"Not really, Master," Anakin said, looking up at Obi-Wan and shaking his head. "But I do know that it was deeply rooted in the Dark Side of the Force."
Obi-Wan nodded his head, slowly, and sat quietly for a moment. "Have you sensed anything else at all, since then or recently?"
Anakin sat back against the bench, as Padmé placed her arm around his and watched her husband with keen interest as he sat, thoughtfully, for a long moment. "Sometimes," Anakin said, looking back at Obi-Wan, "when I go down for my morning exercises, I've felt something that's troubled me. It's usually after I've finished practicing, and I'm resting."
"The best way I know to describe it," Anakin continued, thoughtfully, "is a feeling of dark betrayal. It's the same thing I felt that day in the Senate Building, but stronger. It never lasts long, but when I've felt it, it's been very overpowering."
"Anakin always tell me when he's sensed it, Master Kenobi," Padmé said, turning her eyes toward Obi-Wan. "The troubling part about it is," she continued, "is that almost every time, within a day or two, we get word that something terrible has happened in the Republic."
"The last time it happened," Padmé continued, "was the time that the Separatists destroyed those colonies on Yavin IV."
"Thousands of civilians and troopers lost their lives in that attack," Obi-Wan said, looking at Anakin thoughtfully. He sat quietly for a moment, and then looked back up at his young friend as he sat across from him, deep in thought.
"When was the last time you sensed this, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, looking at Anakin, a look of deep concern on his face.
Anakin sat quietly for a moment, and then turned and looked at Padmé for a long time. She nodded quietly to him, and he turned and looked back at Obi-Wan.
"This morning," Anakin said, quietly. "Just after I finished my exercises."
Obi-Wan took a long, deep breath, and leaned back against the back of the bench, looking out into the sky, as the evening stars began to sparkle above them.
The morning's sunlight was barely beginning to filter through the windows of their bedroom, as Anakin stood, quietly buttoning his tunic, next to their bed and gazing at her fondly.
She was sleeping, very peacefully, her arm tucked under her pillow, and he leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. She sighed softly as he gently brushed her hair with his hand, and then he turned with a smile and walked softly across their room to the dresser.
Being careful to be quiet, as he usually did as he prepared to get up for his morning exercises, he slowly opened the top drawer of their dresser. He pulled the clothes in the drawer toward him and there, near the back, he pressed a small switch, and a false back in the drawer dropped down, revealing a small compartment in the back. There, inside the compartment, side by side, lay two identical lightsabers, and he took them and placed them, one at a time, on either side of his weapon belt.
He closed the drawer quietly, being careful not to wake Padmé, and then, looking back at her fondly one more time, he carefully opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, closing the door quietly behind him.
Anakin placed a breakfast muffin in his teeth, as he opened to door to the garden patio with one hand, his cup in the other, and stepped out onto the patio, closing the door behind him. He reached up, taking the muffin from his mouth, less a large bite, and took a long, deep breath of the cool morning air. He munched contentedly, taking a sip from his cup, as he walked slowly through the garden and down the garden path toward the meadow.
This was his morning routine, as it had been for many years; indeed, Padmé had gently prodded and encouraged him to keep up with his exercises, and he had faithfully done so. It's just as much a part of your life as I am, she would tell him, although he knew she knew otherwise. Yet, he knew in his heart that it was just one more way that she told him, in not so many words, that she loved him, and everything about him, just as he loved her.
He smiled as he saw the black, rectangular case sitting on the ground as he neared his exercise area at the far end of the meadow. Threepio had faithfully placed it there for him, as he did every day that it wasn't raining, and it was always there waiting for him.
Anakin sat down on the ground next to the box for a moment and, finishing the last few bites of his muffin, he looked out at the river, as it flowed slowly through the meadow. He watched the river quietly for a few moments and then, taking a long sip from his cup, he placed it on the ground near the box and stood up, dusting off his pants, and then reached down and opened the case.
Two small, shiny practice remotes rested in the case, and Anakin pressed the switch on one of them and, humming softly, it began to rise slowly into the air in front of him. He pushed it, gently, toward the river, and it floated a few feet from him, hovering quietly. He turned and activated the second remote and, in like fashion, pushed it toward the other, and then walked and took his place quietly in the middle of his exercise area.
He reached out, touching a remote gently with each hand, and pushed them out to his sides, equidistant from him, and then closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath.
Over the years, Anakin had found it less and less challenging, practicing with a single remote. He had added a second, increasing the difficulty significantly, and he had modified their abilities; they could fire faster, and move quicker, than standard practice remotes; and, as an added incentive, he had increased the power of the small laser emitters, thereby making a mistake that much more painful.
He had built new sabers, as part of his training, just a few months ago. He had obtained the necessary parts and Obi-Wan had provided him with the crystals that he needed, and he had worked tirelessly on them for several weeks, between his responsibilities at home and at the workshop. What pleased him most, though, was that he had worked on the alignment of the crystals relentlessly, and his skill, patience, and craftsmanship had resulted in a blade color that was truly rare indeed.
He had spent the last several years working on his saber technique; he had become exceptional skilled in fighting with two sabers, and he had modified his equipment to suite his evolving fighting style. His weapon belt was now integrated into the dark brown vest that he wore, and he carried his sabers a bit higher up, one on each side, the hilts tilted slightly forward, so that he could retrieve them easily in a cross-draw fashion. It had been Padmé's suggestion, as she so often liked to come and watch him practice, and she had made the vest and modifications for him and, like so many of her suggestions, it suited him well and pleased him.
He stood quietly for another moment, allowing the Force to flow through him, and then, with lightning speed, he reached with his right hand, drawing the saber at his left side, and ignited his weapon.
The brilliant, pure white blade blazed forth, as he swung his saber up quickly, and began to deflect the bright orange blasts as the remotes began to whirl around him, in wide, slow arcs, alternating their fire from side to side, as he practiced, swinging his blade smoothly, in front and behind, deflecting them harmlessly into the ground.
Obi-Wan walked slowly and quietly down the garden path toward the meadow. Knowing that Anakin usually took his exercises early in the morning, he had taken a chance that he might find him at practice, so he had gotten up early as well.
He had found Threepio, already at work, and the tall, silver droid had told him where to find him; he hadn't seen Anakin at saber practice in a long time, and he hoped that he might be able to watch his young friend practice.
Just as he rounded the corner, he saw Anakin as he spun his blade quickly, raising it up and over his head, deflecting the blast from the remote behind him, and then, smoothly and instantly, extinguish his blade and return his weapon to its holster.
His mind no longer on the remotes, Anakin immediately sensed the familiar presence, almost at the same time he heard the voice behind him.
"You know," Obi-Wan said, as Anakin turned and looked at him with a smile, "I don't know how you manage to keep your skills up, just practicing against those things."
"Well," Anakin said slyly, "they're not your every day practice remotes, you know. I've made a few changes to them to make things more challenging." He turned and watched with a grin as his old mentor approached him. "Care to have a go with them?"
"Maybe," Obi-Wan laughed in reply, as he watched Anakin return the two remotes to their storage case.
Obi-Wan turned his attention to Anakin's sabers as he turned and walked back toward him, and reached over and patted the one on Anakin's left side, a look of keen interest on his face. "I see that you've completed those new sabers," he smiled. "Mind if I take a look at one?"
"Not at all," Anakin replied, and, taking the saber from its holster, he placed it in Obi-Wan's outstretched hand.
Obi-Wan turned the finely polished saber over slowly in his hands, admiringly; the craftsmanship was exquisite. He wrapped his hand around the black rubber grip, and then bounced it in his hand a time or two. "You've done a fabulous job, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. 'I don't think I've ever seen such fine craftsmanship."
"Thank you, Master," Anakin said, quite proudly, watching his former mentor admire his handiwork.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," Obi-Wan said, looking thoughtfully up at Anakin with a wry grin, "but I could have sworn I saw a white blade."
Anakin smiled brightly, and took a step back from Obi-Wan. "Be my guest, Master," he said, bowing slightly at him.
Obi-Wan turned the saber to his side and ignited the blade, watching with amazement as its brilliant white blade surged to life, humming smoothly. He took a step back from Anakin, and swung the weapon several times; it was perfectly balanced, so much so, that the weapon seemed to move on its own. He brought the blade up in front of him, a bright smile on his face, and then, pressing the igniter again, he watched as the blade disappeared instantly back into the handle.
"I've only seen one other white blade," Obi-Wan said, looking up at his former padawan proudly. "And that's in the Jedi archives."
"Well," Anakin said with a sheepish grin, patting its twin on his side, "now we know there are at least three."
"Two?" Obi-Wan asked, a look of disbelief on his face.
"Yep," Anakin nodded. "I believe Padmé's exact words were, 'They'll look funny if they don't match'."
"That's fantastic," Obi-Wan laughed heartily, as he looked at the weapon again, rolling it slowly in his hands.
"You should be very proud of yourself, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, placing the weapon back in Anakin's hand, and watching as he returned it to its holster. "That's an amazing accomplishment."
"Thank you, Master," Anakin nodded, gratefully. "That means a lot, coming from you."
"So," Obi-Wan said, the wry grin returning to his face, as he reached under his sandy brown tunic, "are you feeling up to practicing with something besides a remote this morning?"
Anakin watched as Obi-Wan produced a small box from under his cloak; he opened it, and Anakin smiled as he saw the two sparring sabers shining up at him.
"Absolutely," Anakin said, his eyes sparkling, as he reached into the box and took one of the sabers into his hand.
Obi-Wan smiled broadly as he took the other saber from the small box, and he quickly tossed the box on the ground next to the box that had held Anakin's remotes. He turned, as he and Anakin walked around each other warily, each eyeing the other with a grin.
Sparring sabers were nothing more than lower powered versions of their normal weapons; capable of blocking one's opponent's blade, while delivering nothing more than a nasty sting with a successful blow.
"Go easy on me," Anakin said, his eyes twinkling as he faced his former mentor. "It's been quite a while; I may be out of practice."
"Yes, well," Obi-Wan said, nodding his head slowly, "we'll just see how out of practice you are."
Obi-Wan ignited his blade, and, spinning quickly, he turned and swung his dull green blade hard at Anakin. With a laugh, Anakin ignited his own, dropping to his knee, and caught Obi-Wan's blade, pushing it back toward him, and then rose quickly and struck, first left, then right, at his former master.
Obi-Wan caught both of Anakin's thrusts, turning them harmlessly to the side, and then pressed him offensively, raining several quick, smoothly spinning blows down against Anakin's blade. Each time, Anakin caught and turned Obi-Wan's blade aside, their weapons sparking and hissing as they contacted each other.
Anakin caught Obi-Wan's blade and held it, for a second, and then pushed him back forcefully. He dropped back, spinning his blade at his side, three or four times, and then looked at Obi-Wan with a grin.
"You're holding back on me, Anakin," Obi-Wan grinned, spinning his own blade at his side, as the two of them walked slowly around each other, warily.
"Maybe just a little," Anakin shrugged, as he smiled at him.
"Well, come on then," Obi-Wan laughed, "show me what you've got."
Obi-Wan spun and lunged at Anakin, reaching into the Force and raining a lightning quick series of blows and saber thrusts at him. With smooth, measured movements, Anakin simply turned each thrust aside, harmlessly, as he stepped smoothly back as Obi-Wan pressed his attack toward him.
Anakin spun quickly, bringing his blade around and catching Obi-Wan's as he thrust hard at him. He held it there, for just a moment, as he looked at Obi-Wan with a mischievous grin. "All right," Anakin said, lowering his gaze toward him.
Suddenly, Anakin lunged forward, his blade whirling first left, then right, then left again. Obi-Wan stepped back, caught off guard by the lightning speed of Anakin's blows, and he swung his blade as quickly as he could as he attempted to defend himself against Anakin's attack.
Suddenly, Anakin did something that Obi-Wan didn't expect; he changed his fighting style in mid blow, switching to the older, parry and thrust style; Obi-Wan expected Anakin's next blow to come from the right, in the smooth circular pattern that he was used too. Instead, Anakin lunged straight forward, pushing his blade directly at Obi-Wan's body.
Obi-Wan leapt to the right, just managing to catch Anakin's blade and turn it aside and, as he did, Anakin spun quickly, bring his blade around and directly into Obi-Wan's right arm.
"Owww!" Obi-Wan cried, with a laugh, as the sharp, electric sting bit through his sleeve. Before he could recover, Anakin dropped to one knee, spinning quickly, and brought his blade around and into Obi-Wan's leg, just above his boot at the knee.
With a howl of pain, and laughter, Obi-Wan fell back onto his back in the tall grass, extinguishing the blade of his saber. "Okay, okay," Obi-Wan said, half laughing, half groaning, holding his hands up submissively to his former student. "You win, I surrender."
Anakin laughed, and, extinguishing the blade of his weapon, he walked over and extended his hand to Obi-Wan, and helped him up to his feet. "Best two out of three, Master?" Anakin grinned, widely.
"No, I think we'll call it a draw," Obi-Wan said, rubbing his shoulder with a pained smile. "I'd forgotten how badly those things sting," he chuckled, as he reached down and rubbed the side of his leg.
"Sorry, Master," Anakin laughed, as the two of them walked over and sat down next to the large black box that held Anakin's remotes. "That's not a very pleasant way to greet you in the morning, now is it?"
"Actually," Obi-Wan sighed, leaning back on his arms in the grass, "it was perfect. I've missed our sparring sessions."
"Me too, Master," Anakin said, placing the sparing saber back into the small box, and handing it to Obi-Wan. He watched quietly, as Obi-Wan placed his back in the box along with it, and closed the lid securely.
"It's still early," Anakin said, "I'm sure you're probably hungry. Would you like to head up to the house and have some breakfast? Threepio's gotten quite handy in the kitchen the past few years."
"Sounds great," Obi-Wan said, and the two of the stood up and, dusting off their pants, they picked up their belongings and headed back up to the house.
It had been a delightful day.
After having breakfast with Anakin on the patio, compliments of Threepio, Obi-Wan had spent the day with his young friend at his workshop in the city. It had been quite some time since he had spent a day at work with his hands, and he had found it amazingly refreshing. He had helped Anakin and Ruwee with what he could, even though his own repair skill had grown somewhat rusty over the years from lack of use. He understood, though, why Anakin was so content; he had watched his former padawan all day, as he had greeted customers, made repairs, and taken in new work, and check on his beloved Padmé off and on through the day.
Padmé had brought them a wonderful lunch, and had spent some time visiting with him, Anakin, and her father, until she had left with Sola to run some errands. They cleaned up the shop, as the day had worn on, and then made their way back to Anakin's home in time for dinner.
Just as the night before, dinner had been delightful, and now, as they sat quietly on the patio, watching Sola's children play in the field below them, Obi-Wan began to understand what it was about this simple, fulfilling life that brought such contentment and peace to his young friend's life.
He looked at Anakin, as he sat contentedly at Padmé's side, his arm around her shoulder, watching Ryoo and Pooja attempt to fly the kite that he had helped them build earlier that evening. He was truly happy for Anakin, and for Padmé. He looked at her, as she sat close beside him, her hand resting gently on top of her round stomach, and smiled; Anakin's life would soon be full indeed, when the twins arrived, and he was truly convinced that, by whatever miracle of the Force that had arranged the events that had transpired four years ago, that they were truly meant to be together.
His quiet thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Artoo Deetoo, as he rolled around the corner of the patio, a long string of excited beeps and whistles drawing their attention to him.
"What is it, Artoo?" Anakin asked, turning to look at the excited little droid, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small display device that he kept there for just such an occasion. Artoo repeated his excited exclamation, and Anakin turned and looked at Obi-Wan curiously.
"He says that he's just received a message from Arfour," Anakin said, looking back up at Obi-Wan. "He says that Arfour is on his way here, now, with your ship."
Obi-Wan leaned forward, a concerned expression on his face. "Does he say why he's bringing the ship?" he asked, turning his attention to the little droid.
Artoo let fly with another long series of beeps and whistles, as Padmé turned and watched Anakin look intently at the display in his hand. "He didn't say, Master," Anakin said, as he looked back up at Obi-Wan. "He only says that you're to contact Master Windu as soon as possible, and that it's urgent."
Obi-Wan stood up, slowly, as he looked around with a serious expression. "Can we use the transmitter in your ship?" he asked, as he turned his attention back to Anakin and Padmé, as they both looked at each other; they knew as well as Obi-Wan did that if Master Windu were contacting him here, now, it must be serious.
"Of course, Master," Anakin said, as he turned to their little droid. "Artoo," Anakin said, as he stood up and helped Padmé up off the bench, "go down to the ship and power up the communications systems. We'll be down to join you in a minute."
Artoo whistled obediently, as he turned and rolled quickly through the patio gate and down the hill toward the hangar.
"Whatever's happened, it can't be good," Obi-Wan said, as he looked intently at the both of them. "We'd better hurry."
Anakin nodded and, taking Padmé's hand, they followed Obi-Wan through the gate and down toward the hangar, just as Artoo began to lower the access ramp to their ship.
Obi-Wan placed the signal encrypter from his belt into the slot on the holographic projector aboard Anakin's cruiser, as Artoo rolled to the communications terminal and, inserting his data probe, signaled to Arfour that he was ready to transfer the signal to their ship.
Padmé sat down next to Anakin on the bench in the cockpit, taking his arm in hers, as Obi-Wan came and sat down beside him.
"Alright, Artoo," Obi-Wan said, turning and nodding to the little droid, "transfer the signal here as soon as you have the channel open."
Artoo whistled in reply, and spun the control wheels quickly as he sat at the communications station. They turned and looked at the holographic emitter on the small table in front of them, as the green hued image flashed for a moment, and then Mace Windu's image appeared clearly above the table in front of them.
"Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said, nodding his head, "thank you for contacting me so quickly."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said with a nod. "I've passed the signal through the encrypter, as you requested." He turned and looked at his two companions beside him. "I have Anakin and Padmé here with me as well."
Mace Windu nodded, thoughtfully. "I'm pleased to see you both," Mace Windu said, forcing a smile, "I only wish the circumstances were better."
"Obi-Wan," Mace said, folding his hands in front of his robe, "the situation has grown much more serious since our last communication."
"How so, Master?" Obi-Wan said, and they all looked at Mace Windu's image with rapt attention.
"The droid armies of the Separatists have launched a major offensive in the last few hours," Mace said, his voice deeply somber. "Our clone forces on almost every system have fallen under attack. We have had to send almost every Jedi we have available to assist them. They're en route now. Whatever is happening, it's extremely well coordinated."
"That's not good news, Master," Obi-Wan said, looking down at the floor for a long moment, and then back up at Mace's image, as it flickered in front of them.
"The situation is worse than you know," Mace continued; he paused for a moment, and then turned his eyes back up toward them. "Chancellor Palpatine has been captured."
Anakin and Padmé looked at each other, as Obi-Wan looked at Mace with an expression of disbelief. "What?" Obi-Wan said, leaning forward in his chair. "When?"
"Just a few hours ago," Mace said. "We were able to retrieve the surveillance tapes from the building and determine who it was who took him."
"Who was it?" Obi-Wan asked, watching Master Windu's image intently.
"We believe it was General Grievous, the newly appointed commander of the droid army," Mace said, solemnly, "along with a group of battle droids. They stormed the office and killed the Chancellor's guards, even the two Jedi who were assigned to protect him."
Mace Windu saw Obi-Wan looked toward the floor, his elbows resting on his knees, as he took in the information he was being given. "It gets worse," Mace said, as they all looked at him, intently. "The two Jedi were killed in the same manner as the ones who were killed in the three other incidents, a single saber thrust through the chest."
"We believe that Grievous may be the one who is behind these attacks," Mace said, thoughtfully, "and that Count Dooku may be with him."
"Dooku?" Anakin said, finally speaking, as Mace turned his attention toward the young Jedi Knight. "But I thought that no one had heard from him since the battle on Geonosis."
"That is correct, Anakin," Mace said with a nod, "until now. We intercepted a transmission from Dooku intended for the leaders of the Separatist movement a short time ago. In the transmission, Dooku informed them that the capture of the Chancellor was complete, and that he would see him delivered to them shortly."
"If Dooku is in league with Grievous," Mace Windu said, solemnly, "we cannot allow them to deliver Chancellor Palpatine to the Separatist commanders. If they succeed in doing so," Mace continued, "then support for the war in the Senate will crumble. They will be willing to make any concessions that the Separatists demand for his safe return."
"We need you to attempt to intercept Dooku and Grievous, and free Chancellor Palpatine, Obi-Wan," Mace said, looking at his Jedi friend intently. "If at all possible, we must try to capture Dooku as well. If we can take him into custody," Mace continued, "then we may be able to learn the identity of the Lord of the Sith."
"Anakin," Mace Windu said, suddenly directing his attention to the young Jedi Knight, as he sat next to Obi-Wan, listening intently. "We don't have anyone strong enough with the Force to help Obi-Wan right now," he said, looking at the young Jedi intently. "All of our strongest Jedi Knights have been sent to command the clone battalions." Mace paused, as Anakin looked at him, already knowing in his heart what the Jedi Master was preparing to ask of him. "Obi-Wan will need your help."
"I'm sorry to have to ask this of him, my lady," Mace said, turning a compassionate face toward Padmé, as she squeezed Anakin's arm tightly, "but we desperately need his help. This situation is far more dire than any we have faced. The future of the Republic itself may hang in the balance."
Padmé nodded her head, slowly, and then turned her eyes downward, as she clung to Anakin's arm tightly.
"Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said, turning his attention back toward him, "we believe that the Chancellor is being held on the Separatist flagship, the Imperial Hand. That is where the transmission from Dooku was intercepted. It is currently still in orbit over Coruscant. What fighters we have available are attempting to create a blockade to keep it in orbit until you can arrive."
"Understood, Master," Obi-Wan said, as he turned and looked thoughtfully at Anakin for a long moment. "I'll get underway as soon as possible," he said, turning his attention back to Mace Windu and nodding his head affirmatively.
"Contact me on Coruscant as soon as you are able too, Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said. "And may the Force be with you both." As Mace finished, he nodded his head toward them, and the transmission flickered, and then faded away.
Obi-Wan stood up slowly, and walked across the cockpit of the ship, looking at the console for a long moment, thoughtfully. Anakin and Padmé sat in silence on the bench, both of them still trying to take in everything that they had heard.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, turning and looking at his young friend as he folded his hands across his chest, "I know that Master Windu asked you to help me, but I think you should stay here with Padmé."
Padmé didn't understand the tremor that she felt inside her heart; it was somewhat strange, almost as if a small, faint voice were speaking to her, without words, giving her words of comfort, words of direction, as she looked quietly at Anakin as he sat next to her, holding her hand tightly in his. She looked at him intently, considering all that he was, everything that he had come to be, as she felt the tremor in her heart grow stronger.
Anakin started to answer him, and he stopped just as Padmé looked up at Obi-Wan and spoke. "No," she said quietly, as she looked at Obi-Wan, deeply thoughtful. "Anakin is a Jedi Knight. It's his place to help you."
"His place is here with you, Padmé," Obi-Wan said, looking at her with a deeply thankful expression. "I appreciate your willingness to have him help, but..."
Anakin squeezed her hand tightly, as he turned and looked at her as she spoke.
"Obi-Wan," she said, quietly, interrupting him. "Anakin is a powerful Jedi Knight. Without his help, you have no hope of rescuing the Chancellor and capturing Count Dooku."
"Anakin faced Dooku once before," Padmé said softly, looking at her husband proudly. "He's the only hope you have of taking him alive and putting an end to this terrible war."
Obi-Wan looked at the both of them quietly for a long moment, and then he looked at Anakin thoughtfully. "Very well," he said, quietly. "It's up to you, Anakin. I won't blame you if you decide to stay."
Anakin knew in his heart that Padmé was right. He turned and looked at her lovingly, for a long moment, and then turned and looked back at Obi-Wan.
"I'll need a few minutes to get ready," Anakin said softly, squeezing Padmé's hand tightly.
Obi-Wan turned his eyes downward, and then took a long, deep breath. "Very well," he said, smiling at Anakin and nodding his head. "We'll leave as soon as you're ready, Anakin."
They all stood up together, and Artoo followed them as they walked quickly down the ramp of the ship and back toward the house.
Padmé stood next to Anakin, looking at him in the long mirror over their dresser, as he fastened his weapon belt over the dark brown leather overjacket of his Jedi uniform. She put her hands on his shoulders as she stepped just behind him, and squeezed them gently as he looked up at her in the mirror and smiled, somewhat painfully.
"It's been a long time since you wore this," Padmé said, quietly, forcing a smile. "It still fits you good," she said, as she tried to brighten her own countenance. "You look as handsome as ever."
Anakin turned toward her, his own countenance betraying what he was feeling, as she turned her attention to his jacket and tunic. "Besides," she said, patting his newly modified weapon vest, as she looked at his two new sabers shining brightly at his sides in their holsters, "you were going to have to see how well these changes we made worked for you someday, anyway."
Anakin placed his hands on her shoulders, and she looked up at him. He looked deeply into her eyes, a loving, compassionate expression on his worried face. "Are you all right?" he asked, softly, as he saw her eyes glistening as she looked up bravely at him.
She stood quietly for a moment, and then pulled him close to her, burying her face in his chest. "No," she said brokenly, as she started to sob softly as he wrapped his strong arms around her.
Anakin kissed her and laid his head on hers, as he cradled her tightly in his arms. "I know," he said, his own voice cracking has he held her tightly. "I don't want to go, either."
He gently stroked her long brown hair with his hand, as he held her tightly for a long time. His heart ached as much as hers, as he listened to her soft, muffled sobs. "Padmé," he said softly, "if you don't want me to go, I won't. I'll stay here."
Padmé shook her head, and looked up at him, as she wiped the tears from her cheek. "No," she said, as she tried to compose herself. "No, you have to go," she said, placing her hands comfortingly on his shoulders. She looked into his eyes as he looked at her; she could see that he was suffering as much as she was.
"I made myself a promise," Padmé said, looking down and smoothing the sleeves of his tunic with her hands, "that when this day came, I'd be brave for you. And here I am," she said, looking up at him, "crying and wishing you weren't going."
"Now I know how your mother felt, that day when you offered to enter the pod race to help us," she said softly after a long pause, as he looked at her lovingly.
"You're a Jedi Knight, Ani," Padmé said, forcing a weak smile. "We both knew that this day could come, someday. That's why you've kept up with your training and worked so hard."
"You've trained long and hard for this moment," Padmé said, as she reached up and took his face gently in her hands. "Obi-Wan needs you now, they all do. You can help them, I know that."
She gazed deeply into his eyes for a long moment. "I'm so proud of you, Ani," she said, softly. "And I love you so very much."
"I love you so much, Padmé," Anakin said, as he gently caressed her cheek. "I'll be fine, and I'll be back soon, I promise."
"That makes me feel better," Padmé said with a smile, as she hugged him tightly. "You've never broken a promise to me, ever."
"And I won't break this one, either," Anakin said, softly, his eyes searching hers. "I swear."
Anakin pulled her to him, wrapping his arms tightly around her, as their lips met in a long, passionate embrace.
Padmé and Sola followed Anakin and Obi-Wan out of the front door of the house, with Artoo and Threepio following closely behind them. Down below them, near the hangar, they could see the jets of cold gas venting below the engines of Obi-Wan's ship, as Arfour prepared it for departure.
Anakin looked at the ship for a moment, and then turned around and took Padmé gently in his arms. Sola and Obi-Wan watched quietly, as Padmé reached up and caressed his cheek as he kissed her, softly, for a long moment.
"We'll be back soon," Anakin said, as their lips parted. "I promise."
"I love you," Anakin said with a smile, and he kissed her again, gently.
"I love you too, Ani," Padmé said, softly. "Please be careful."
Sola wiped a way a tear from her cheek, as Obi-Wan took a step toward Padmé, and hugged her, gently. "He'll be home in no time," Obi-Wan said, as he released her and looked at her with a smile. "I'll see to that."
Padmé wiped a tear from her own cheek. "You'd better, Master Kenobi," she nodded. "Or you'll have to answer to me."
"And me," Sola said, walking over and placing her arm tightly around Padmé's shoulders.
"Do be careful, Master Ani," Threepio said, as he stood quietly next to Artoo, trying hard to conceal the tone of concern in his electronic voice.
"I will, Threepio," Anakin said. "You look after Padmé while I'm gone, okay?"
Padmé smiled as Threepio took a step closer to her, and placed his metal arm gently on her shoulder. "Of course, Master Ani," Threepio said, standing up straight. "Don't worry about a thing."
"And you keep your eyes on that communications terminal in our ship, Artoo," Anakin said, turning his attention to the little astrodroid. "I want you to be ready when I call, okay?"
Artoo whistled and beeped in reply, as he nodded his sensor dome slowly.
Anakin looked at Padmé fondly, as Obi-Wan turned and started toward their ship. "Don't worry, Padmé," he said. "I made you a promise, remember?"
Padmé's face brightened as she saw the loving, caring look in his eyes. "Ok," she said softly, as she watched him turn and follow Obi-Wan toward the ship.
Sola squeezed Padmé's shoulders tightly, as they watched the two young Jedi warriors climb up into the cockpit of Obi-Wan's fighter. Artoo whistled, low and forlornly, as they watched the ship fire its engines, the tall grass waving wildly below it, as it lifted slowly into the air and, turning quickly, took off toward the dark, topaz Naboo sky.
Padmé turned and looked at Sola for a long moment, and Sola watched as a single tear trickled slowly down her cheek.
Sola hugged her sister tightly, as, no longer able to hold back her emotions, Padmé fell into her arms and sobbed quietly, as Anakin and Obi-Wan's ship disappeared into the clouds above them.
Our story continues...