V

djem so


500 Republica
Republic City, Coruscant
The residence of Senator Padmé Amidala


Anakin felt Jaina Solo the moment he reached Padmé's apartment. He frowned at her presence, and noticed that she withdrew when he reached out towards her with the Force. Threepio was there to greet him, all but confirming she was present. He tuned out the protocol droid as he headed for where his wife sat with the strange Jedi who was somehow kin to him. His emotions were a mess, especially after Obi-Wan had cornered him following the council meeting and gave him a secret, unwanted mission: to spy on Chancellor Palpatine, and report back about the man's actions and dealings.

He allowed Threepio to lead the way over to where Padmé and Jaina waited. Anakin smiled at the sight of his heavily pregnant wife, though his smile faltered when he spotted the Jedi across from her.

In that moment, Anakin noticed the similarities between them; the color of their eyes, the shape of their nose, even the way their deep brown hair curled around their ear. However there were other traits, some as if he were staring into a distorted mirror and others that reminded him of Corellians. If the records taken by the Order were right, then he could believe that she was related to him—perhaps even a descendant. Vague recollections from Mortis came to him, but they were gone faster than he could retain them.

She rose to her feet, the hint of a lightsaber appearing at her waist as her robes shifted. The presence of a weapon surprised him, but it appeared someone had been willing to return it to her. He could already hear Obi-Wan's admonishments from when he had been a Padawan, of how the weapon was his life. While he still called the older Jedi Master, the formal relationship between master and apprentice had been left behind shortly after the outbreak of the Clone Wars, and they were both better off for it.

"Master Skywalker," she said, giving him a short bow.

Anakin glanced at Padmé, who was a touch bemused. She caught his gaze, smiled fondly at him, and then mouthed, 'Play along.'

He huffed, feeling even more frustrated, and turned his attention to the strange Jedi who had helped him in the recent battle.

"You can call me Anakin," he said awkwardly. "I'm not a master."

"Not yet," she said quickly. Her eyes, almost identical to Padmé's, softened with painful emotions. For a moment, he thought she was only thinking of what had happened earlier that day. But then he felt a ripple in the Force coming from her.

He reached out and felt her recoil from him. He pursued, and felt terrible pain. He could feel that touch of the dark side, akin to when he had witnessed his mother's death. Images passed between them, though the only ones Anakin caught in full were that of a young man, blazing bright in the Force, and an older man with yellow eyes and a red lightsaber.

"Who…who are they?" Anakin asked, shaken.

"I…" she began, staring at him, astonished. Several seconds passed before she swallowed hard. "They were my brothers."

Anakin glanced at Padmé, who was frowning at them. He sometimes wished his wife could feel things in the Force as he did, yet now was a time where he wished it could be any other way.

"The second one. He was a Sith."

Anakin heard Padmé gasp, even as Jaina Solo said, "He came back, in the end. But it was too late."

He could feel her emotions, the bond that had existed between Jaina and her Sith brother. Anakin had a gut feeling that they had been close, perhaps even twins, and yet the need to defeat the threat of the Sith had fallen onto her shoulders. After a moment, he crossed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug. She squeaked, even as her own arms slipped around him.

"I won't allow what happened to you come to pass," he growled. "I don't know how—"

"Different timelines, different lives," she muttered into his chest. Jaina pushed back. "You and Ben didn't go on the mission to Zonama Sekot. Maybe…maybe the future is different because of that. That mission proved vital for us in the future."

"Perhaps," Anakin said. He stepped back and glanced between his wife and the Jedi who was apparently related to him. "What did you two speak about?"

"About a future I hope doesn't come to pass," Padmé said, laying a hand upon his right forearm. "She told me terrible things, but also something good." She smiled before adding, "We're having twins, Ani."

"Twins?" he whispered. Anakin glanced at Jaina. "Us? Twins?"

She nodded.

Anakin crossed to where Padmé was standing. He drew her into his arms, burying his lower face in her hair. Her arms wrapped around him, drawing close enough he could feel the weak kicks of their child. Children, he realized, paying attention to how they reacted. He closed his eyes and reached out carefully with the Force, almost afraid of what he could accidentally do. Despite it all, he felt the twin children within his wife, all so close to being born. One was a boy, the other a girl, and both were strong in the Force.

He peered over at Jaina Solo, who watched them with sad, yet guarded eyes. Their gazes met and she pulled back, hiding what she felt from him.

"Which?" he asked weakly. "Which are you?"

Jaina stared, boggled eyed, then began giggling. "I'm afraid I'm not your child, Nik."

She finally released her tight grasp upon her emotions and it all became clear in a flash of realization: Jaina was his granddaughter, born a twin just like her mother. She had lost her two brothers, first the one cursed with his name, then her twin. He felt the pain of both deaths, the brush with the dark side, and the lamentations of what had been. For a brief moment, Anakin was there with her, swept up in the unifying Force, as he witnessed the tragedies of her generation.

And then he heard a familiar sound, one stolen from him after Mortis. Weak, strained breathing, artificial and forced, filled his ears. He felt cold, and saw the flash of a man in a black suit, wearing a helmet, and possessing a skull for a face.

Anakin released his wife and took a step towards his granddaughter. She stood stock still, watching him closely and carefully. He understood now, her worries and fears. Yet for all of his understanding, he couldn't fathom how the events that had shaped her life came to be.

"What…what happened to me? To Padmé?"

She swallowed loudly, glancing between them. Her gaze fell a few times, lingering upon Padmé's swollen, pregnant belly. After several seconds, Jaina sighed and said, "It's a long story, and an unpleasant one."

Anakin glanced at Padmé. "Perhaps we can speak over dinner?"

His wife beamed. "Just as we would on Naboo."


Jaina had freshened up by the time the main table was finally set for dinner. There was enough for six or seven people, though she suspected this was only another case of the Old Republic's opulence. A quick glance at her grandfather was enough to confirm her suspicion that he wasn't terribly comfortable with how much food was laid out.

"You two," her grandmother huffed, smiling fondly. "Whatever we don't have is being donated to the war refugees. Typho is already en route to the nearest shelter."

"So the Clone Wars had them as well?" Jaina asked, taking the sole seat set upon the longer sides of the table.

"Yes," Anakin said uncomfortably. "The Separatists have destabilized dozens of worlds, hoping to make the Republic collapse from the excessive number of refugees sent our way. We've managed, but it'll be a long process of rebuilding their worlds once the war is over."

"Hopefully that's soon," Padmé said, taking the seat upon Jaina's right. "Once the fighting is over, diplomacy can resume. All of the systems that departed the Republic should be allowed back into the fold, paying reparations to the worlds they may have injured through their involvement in the Confederacy." She turned to her granddaughter. "Is that what happens once the fighting concludes?"

She frowned down at her plate, waiting for her to load it with food. "The Republic doesn't survive the Clone Wars. The Empire rises to replace it."

"The Jedi would never allow that," Anakin said forcefully.

"Not if they've been destroyed, the remaining few scattered across the Outer Rim." Jaina reached out to a plate of sliced nerf steaks. "The Sith Lord responsible for the war, the future Emperor, had his apprentice, Darth Vader, hunt down and destroy the Jedi." She glanced at her grandmother first, then met her grandfather's gaze. "You were the first one he destroyed."

"Tell him," Padmé demanded. "Tell Anakin who it is."

"I…" Jaina began, watching how Anakin's grip upon his fork began to bend the utensil. She could feel his anger, the frustration of years of search, and she nearly lost the will to tell him. She remembered how she had reacted to learning about Jacen becoming Darth Caedus, and her mouth went dry. She looked down at her mostly empty plate.

"Palpatine," she said hoarsely. "He's the Sith Lord."

"And this Darth Vader?" Anakin asked woodenly.

"He—"

She was interrupted by a beeping comlink. Her grandfather pulled his out. "This is Skywalker."

"Anakin," said the smooth, velvety voice of Chancellor Palpatine. "News about the war has just reached me. I'm currently at the opera. You know which one. I wish for you to speak with me in person, so I may relay this information without fear of it being intercepted."

Her grandfather glanced at her; his blue eyes a whirling torrent of doubt. "Of course, Chancellor. I'll be there soon."

Anakin rose to his feet. "I have to go," he said, as if they hadn't heard the summons. "I'll be back later." He glanced at Jaina, still torn. "I…I've trusted him for a long time. If what you've told me is true…"

"He's been grooming you," Jaina said, rising to her feet. "The Darth Vader I spoke of? The one who destroyed the Jedi? That is what he wants to turn you into."

He shook his head. She could feel his anger and uncertainty, rolling off him in waves. Anakin Skywalker didn't want to believe her. "I wouldn't do that. There's nothing that could convince me to turn against the Jedi Order. Nothing."

And with that, Anakin Skywalker stormed out of the apartment, cloak whirling behind him. Jaina watched him go, her gut made leaden by dread. She fought back tears, faced with the reality she might fail to prevent her grandfather's fall to the dark side.


shien


16:5:22
Jedi Temple
The City of Spires, Coruscant


"Follow me," commanded Mace Windu when Jaina returned to the Jedi Temple. It was midday, and her grandfather had long since departed the apartment. She fell asleep long before his return and had failed to catch him in the morning. In the end, she had no other option than to head for the Temple, else risk causing a crisis by going after Palpatine.

They were currently in the entry chamber, grand and spacious. Several columns, easily a hundred meters tall, lined the hall before her. "Your absence was noticed," Master Windu continued, "and your destination has raised questions about Skywalker's relationship with Senator Amidala."

"That wasn't my intention," Jaina said. "I only sought out her advice."

"Regardless, they will be investigated for misdeeds," Master Windu stated. "Given the timing of your appearance and Senator Amidala's pregnancy—"

"I'm not her child."

He stared at her for a long moment. "Indeed, you are not. There's too much variance in the genome screening to be Anakin Skywalker's child. A grandchild or great-grandchild, perhaps."

Jaina pressed her lips together, thinning them into a bent line. She worried over what the Order would do, should the truth about her grandfather come to light. Not only was having a child a violation of this Order's rules, being married was treated worse. Whereas her uncle's adult students meant he had to permit their past relations, the Jedi Order that existed before the Empire had not.

"But for now, your relation to Skywalker is not of interest," Master Windu continued. "You have been summoned to attend a war council. While you fought in conflicts with different tactics and enemies, the Council has decided what experience you possess is of interest to us, especially when it comes to the issue of transitioning out of wartime. Therefore, you will be joining."

"Where is the Republic fighting?"

Despite the importance of the Clone Wars in the rise of the Empire, Jaina was ill versed in the final theaters of the war. She had been unaware that Coruscant had seen conflict during the Clone Wars, thinking its first battle in the lifetime of those who fought in the Rebellion being when Rogue Squadron led the effort to seize the renamed Imperial Center.

"Master Yoda is reinforcing our Wookie allies on Kashyyyk," Windu began. "There are Jedi-led forces on several dozen worlds, including Mygeeto and Cato Nemoidia. The ongoing fighting on Mandalore has been brought to an end thanks to the capture of Maul, the former Sith apprentice.

"Most importantly, Master Kenobi has been deployed to Utapau, where the final leader of the Separatist Army, General Grievous, hides. Hopefully, the war will be over today."

Jaina hesitated before asking, "What is today's date?"

Master Windu frowned at her before repeating the three digits representing the amount of time since the reSynchronization. Jaina glanced up at the marbled ceiling above them, her mind flicking back through her studies of the Empire's rise. If memory served her right…

"The Clone Wars will certainly be over today," she said, her gaze returning to the Jedi Master. "And the Sith Lord will make his move. In my time, he destroyed the Jedi and named himself Emperor. If past events are different here…"

"Then we can stop the Sith Lord," Master Windu said, stopping them midway down a corridor. "Do you know where he is?"

"I do," Jaina admitted. "But we know so little about what came to pass…"

"You're worried that we might stumble into his trap and guarantee his victory."

She nodded. "Who will be present for the war council?"

"Most of the field commanders, along with myself and Skywalker."

Jaina didn't know how to feel about potentially revealing her secret to more Jedi, yet if there was a chance the Order might be saved from Palpatine, that the Empire could be prevented, then she had no excuse.

"Has Anakin spoken with you since yesterday?"

Mace Windu gave her a piercing look that made her heart leap. "Skywalker and I have a strained relationship. That he didn't tell me whatever you told him is because he doubts its veracity, and doesn't trust me with it."

"Fierfek," she swore. Jaina hadn't realized how deep Anakin's connection to Palpatine went when she had told him of who the Chancellor truly was, and what the man would do to him. Perhaps he would reveal himself, and create an opening for the Jedi to act.

She stormed off in the direction they had been heading in previously. Jaina reached out, feeling for her grandfather. When she found him, he drew back, just as she had the previous day. She grimaced, taking turns at random which drew her towards where the feeling of her grandfather had come from. She followed it, continually reaching out and using the pings of feedback to slowly draw herself towards wherever Anakin Skywalker was.

Master Windu caught up with her as Jaina got within seventy meters of her grandfather. He had a stern look, though his dark eyes betrayed that he had put together why she had acted as she did. There was disappointment and a faint edge of humor present.

"Skywalker will be at the meeting. You can speak with him there."

Jaina nodded, even as something told her it wouldn't be as simple as the Jedi Master made it sound.

Anakin Skywalker stood on the other side of Master Windu, giving her a wary look, as blue-shaded holograms activated. They were at a command post near the edge of the Temple. There was a long bar of natural light a few hundred meters away, giving a glimpse at the Coruscanti sky. She recognized Master Yoda and a Cerean Jedi from her meeting with the Council, though the blue-skinned Twi'lek was unfamiliar. The lack of Clone commanders didn't go unnoticed by her, though it wasn't her place to mention that fact.

"This is Knight Solo," Master Windu began in introduction. "While she is not a Jedi of our time, she is a Jedi—one experienced with both war and peace time. I have invited her here to oversee our operations, as the war finally draws to an end." He glanced at her. "Perhaps she will even have advice about our transition out of the war."

Jaina nodded, turning her attention to the Twi'lek Jedi. She was a reminder of Alema Rar, who had fallen down a dark path following the terrors and trails of the Vong War. Nobody had noticed until the Killik Crisis, something that even to this day she regretted.

"Knight Secura. How is the campaign on Felucia coming along?"

The Twi'lek Jedi nodded. "We've pushed the Separatist front back past the main ridge. The men have insisted upon day operations while we remain on the surface. Too many remember the Umbaran fiasco, and the similarities can be uncanny."

Jaina glanced at her grandfather, and watched as his jaw clenched.

"Understood. As long as you can maintain positions, we'll be fine." He turned his attention to the Cerean Jedi. "Master Mundi. Your report?"

Master Mundi didn't get the chance, for an armored man with a weathered face appeared between that Jedi and Knight Secura.

"Master Windu, may I interrupt?" He barely waited for an approving nod before continuing. "General Kenobi has made contact with General Grievous, and we have begun our attack."

Jaina noted Master Mundi seemed impressed, while Master Yoda and Knight Secura kept their feelings on the matter a secret.

"Thank you, Commander," Master Windu replied.

The Commander nodded, then vanished to return to his battle.

"Anakin," Mace continued, turning to the man in question. Jaina watched them with a sideways look. "Deliver this report to the Chancellor. His reaction will give us a clue to his intentions."

Her grandfather nodded, giving Jaina a quick, knowing glance. He still doubted her, but that doubt was weaker.

"Yes, Master."

With that, Anakin Skywalker departed. Jaina watched him go, heading off towards the nearest hangar. If he were anything like she had heard, he would fly there himself. Her hands clenched, itching to wrap around the flight stick within her StealthX. Perhaps before everything was over, she'd have another chance to fly with her grandfather once more.

"I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi," Master Windu suddenly pronounced. Jaina felt her heart stutter, even as she focused her attention on the expressions of the other Jedi. Master Yoda appeared deeply troubled, while the other two were merely uncomfortable. "The dark side of the Force surrounds the Chancellor."

"If he does not give up his emergency powers after the destruction of Grievous," continued Master Mundi, "then he should be removed from office."

"The Jedi Council would have to take control of the Senate in order to secure a peaceful transition."

Jaina stiffened, remembering certain conversations she heard of after the fact during the Vong War. There had been doubts about the role of the Jedi, post-war, and some within the Senate in those last days of the New Republic feared a Jedi take over. Her uncle never would've moved for such a power grab, but those fears had been reawakened thanks to her twin.

"To a dark place this line of thought will carry us," Master Yoda stated. "Hmmm. Grave care we must take."

A distant sound of a door hissing open elsewhere, caught their attention. Two new figures appeared among them. One was another clone commander, while the other was a young Togruta woman. Her skin was orange and her lekku were spiraled coming down from the crown atop her head. She gave Jaina a curious glance.

Jaina, for her part, remained quiet as the duo joined the circle. Master Windu turned his attention to the woman.

"I understand your mission was a success."

"Yes," the woman said, a clear energy present in her voice. "I have Maul in custody." She turned to the rest of those gathered. "I will escort Commander Rex when he delivers him to Coruscant."

"A great service to the Republic, you have done," said Master Yoda.

"I did my duty as a citizen."

Jaina glanced at the two lightsabers upon the Togruta's belt, wondering just what kind of citizen she was. Perhaps in her time it would be believable, but not in the time of the Old Republic.

"Not as a Jedi."

"No," the woman said, troubled. "Not yet."

Answers that question, Jaina thought.

A few seconds of silence passed before the woman continued. "Actually, I was hoping to speak with General Skywalker."

The clone commander—Rex, if the woman's words were to go by—stiffened as he glanced at the other Jedi. Jaina frowned, lips pursed and decided it would be wiser to speak up rather than allow the Jedi of this time to block the query of one who had likely been her grandfather's apprentice. She had a feeling that whatever had happened between those present left a bitter taste in their mouths.

"He will return soon," said Jaina, drawing attention to herself. "After he finishes informing the Chancellor that Master Kenobi has engaged General Grievous on Utapau."

"And you are?" the woman asked.

"Knight Solo," she replied, just as Master Windu stated, "An observer."

She turned to the bald, dark-skinned master, scowling. "I am more than a mere observer. You requested my presence because of my experiences as a Jedi who experienced a peaceful transition out of wartime."

Mace Windu glowered at her. He seemed ready to reply when Master Yoda said, "Words of wisdom, Knight Solo speaks. Her knowledge, desired by the Order it is."

"I have also dealt with a Sith Lord," Jaina continued. "And defeated him. If we're to overcome the Sith Lord who started this war, then you need me."

"You're related to Anakin, aren't you," the Togruta suddenly said, drawing Jaina's attention back to her. "Yet you do not appear to know who I am."

"I'm afraid not. Events after the end of the Clone Wars were… devastating for the Jedi Order. I don't know what became of you."

The clone and Togruta shared a pointed, worried look. Jaina's gut turned, realizing that they knew something about Palpatine's plot. She glanced at the other Jedi, wondering briefly if any of them had come to suspect what she knew and what she had told her grandfather.

"Know something of the Sith threat, do you, Ahsoka Tano."

Ahsoka flinched, though finally having a name to attach to her face was a relief for Jaina. She waited patiently until the Togruta woman answered Master Yoda's question. "Maul told me things about this Sith Lord…this Darth Sidious."

"Darth Sidious," Master Yoda repeated. "Known to me, this name is. Questing after his identity, I have tried. Failed, I did."

"I know who he is," Jaina said, even as she reached out for her grandfather through the Force. She could sense doubt, fear, and anger from him. Near Anakin was Palpatine. He was speaking, confessing—

"He revealed himself," she whispered, brandy brown eyes going wide. "Sidious revealed who he is to Anakin…"

Jaina felt the activation of her grandfather's lightsaber, the same one her aunt and master Mara Jade Skywalker had carried, a wedding gift from her Uncle Luke. She swallowed thickly, turning to the other Jedi present.

"How could Darth Sidious get so close to General Skywalker?" asked Commander Rex, disturbed by the news.

Master Windu turned to her, his face stiff and emotionless. "You cannot mean what I think you are suggesting."

Jaina sighed, nodding. "I'm afraid it's true. Darth Sidious is Chancellor Palpatine. He is the Sith Lord you have all searched for."