In the Hands of Time Chapter 8, a star wars fanfic

IN THE HANDS OF TIME
(Part 8)
by Darth Pipes and ami-padme
joesw77@aol.com, ami_padme@yahoo.com

Luke took the final step out of the strange tunnel, and hopped down to the floor. Immediately the doors slammed shut behind him, and the lights turned off. The sudden noise shook him for a moment, sending chills through his body.

Focus, he ordered himself.

It seemed that the tunnel was the only way out of the small control room he now found himself in. Luke walked around and took in his surroundings. The only thing he noticed was how silent it was. Perfectly, eerily silent. Then he heard it.

The breathing.

After that, everything was a blur. The sound of his saber igniting, the creak and groan of piping being pulled loose from the wall, the howling wind as he was blown out onto the balcony...

The breathing again. Closer, louder...right next to him...

Luke regained consciousness with a violent start. Vader was sitting beside him.

"No...no!" He meant to scream, but it came out as a hoarse whisper. He felt sluggish and weak. Still, he managed to jump away a little, moving to the far side of the bed, possessed with an almost manic desire to climb the wall.

"Luke, you are still weak. The healing process is almost complete. You must remain calm."

Luke stared at him blankly for a moment. He tried to focus on something besides the sound of Vader's mechanical lungs inhaling and exhaling...besides the mask and the suit...besides his own fear. Focus, he told himself. This time, it worked.

He realized that he was being surrounded by a calming, healing Force-presence. Luke recognized it right away. He had felt it before, buried under a torrent of anger, almost completely hidden by waves of hate. But, as he had to admit to himself later, it had been there all along.

It was the presence of his father, of Anakin Skywalker. At Bespin, it had merely been a flickering light overwhelmed by darkness. But now that darkness had been defeated.

Luke relaxed considerably, and moved back to the center of the bed. "Father?"

Anakin nodded. He felt the shame returning – shame at his current appearance, shame at his past actions, shame that his children's first reactions to him were fear and revulsion. It had been Amidala's first reaction as well. Anakin wished to be rid of the suit, but that was impossible, and really was only attacking a surface problem. It was him they were responding to, not the mask.

Luke glanced at the door to the room. "Where's Leia?"

"In the main room with your mother. She's fine."

"What about you?"

Anakin seemed surprised by the question. "Me?"

Luke nodded. "Father, how did you...come back? Why?"

Anakin thought about it heavily. It was a question he had asked himself, but hadn't had the time to legitimately answer. Why now? "I'm not sure how to answer that Luke. Obviously, seeing your mother again had a tremendous impact. Seeing you on Bespin had an effect as well...but it wasn't just that. I never had the...strength...to do it before, Luke. I don't know exactly how to explain it. I think I finally just allowed things to become clear again, and once that happened, I had no doubt about what I should do."

With a small smile, Luke said, "Well, I'm glad you're back, and that I helped." He glanced downward. "You know, I thought about you all the time growing up – what you had been like, what it would have been like to meet you…what you would have thought of me –"

"I'm sure I shattered whatever dreams you had, Luke. For that, I am truly sorry."

"At first, I was shattered – I was devastated." More memories of Bespin rushed at him, but this time, he was able to handle them. "Still, I soon realized that the father I dreamt of did exist. I just had to figure out what had happened to him. And figure out if it was possible to get him back."

Anakin, greatly moved, took Luke's hand in his – took Luke's real hand in his real hand. He had always felt a connection with Luke, even when he was nothing more than another Rebel pilot in the Death Star trench. But this was the first time he felt fully bonded to his son. It completed a part of him. Of course, it might be too late to experience this with Leia, and he might always feels as though something inside him was hollow…

"Give her time, Father," Luke said quietly.

Anakin nodded, knowing that giving her time was all he could do. "Son, in many ways you have become the Jedi that I should have been." He squeezed Luke's hand tightly. "I'm proud of you, Luke."

Luke smiled again. "In those dreams, that's exactly what I pictured you saying. Thank you."

Anakin stepped into the main room, and found Amidala and Leia sitting near the computer console. Amidala had her arms around their daughter, who was lying on her shoulder with her eyes closed.

Anakin smiled a little at the scene, and was glad to feel Leia at peace for a moment.

Amidala, on the other hand, seemed somewhat disturbed. Anakin wasn't quite sure why. He wondered what Leia had told her...or what Leia even knew about Amidala and what happened to her.

He didn't want to ruin their moment, and he thought of returning to the back room with Luke. But as he headed out, Amidala spoke.

"Were you able to help him? How is he?"

Leia opened her eyes. She didn't say anything.

"He is much better, and is quickly regaining his strength." Anakin motioned to the room. "You should come speak with him, Ami."

Amidala smiled. "I would love to." She felt Leia move from her shoulder to allow her to stand. She gave her daughter's hand a final squeeze and then headed out of the room.

Leia had meant to follow her mother to see Luke. But she remained seated. Her father remained standing on the other side of the room.

She wondered what he was thinking. Whether he was sorry for everything he had done. She couldn't sense him the way she could Luke and her mother.

But what she was really wondering about was her own reaction to him. The conversation with her mother had affected her deeply...she wondered if she could ever really look at him and not see a monster, if she could ever think about him without hating him. He deserves to be hated. He is a monster.

And there it was – the voice that instinctively grabbed hold of her every time he was mentioned. She didn't understand how her mother and Luke had gotten control over it.

What she did understand was that she didn't like the thought of that voice, that anger, having such total power over her, determining what she would and would not do. Leia prided herself on her resolve – she felt that she could do anything she could put her mind too. "I just can't" was a weak excuse for not being able to let things go. I'm stronger than that, aren't I?

Still, she looked at him...and didn't know what else she was supposed to see. Luke and her mother seemed to be privy to who this Anakin was...she had never known him. Except maybe for –

Leia stood from her seat, and walked over to him. "You saved my life out near the reactor core. And it seems as though you've saved Luke. Thank you." Her voice was cold. For the first time in a very long while, she nearly slipped into her royal accent. It was the only way to keep the emotion – which would undoubtedly lead to angry hysterics – out of her voice. But she had said it. That had to be a start.

Anakin nodded, and replied, "You're welcome, Leia."

Leia turned away from him, and went to see Luke.

After a few minutes, Anakin followed Leia into the room. He was stunned by what she said, and by the fact that she felt it necessary to say anything at all. But he had sensed a dangerous amount of vitriol just beneath the surface. He recognized it well...he had maintained his own for decades. It turned his stomach to think that it might be his actions that could lead Leia down that same path...

He shook off that thought. His children were stronger than he had been, that much was clear. He attributed it to Amidala. They had not, would not, make his mistakes.

Anakin found Luke sitting up in bed next to Leia. Both were speaking quietly with Amidala. All three stopped talking and turned to face him.

Amidala motioned for him to take a seat in the chair next to her. He did so, with some hesitation.

"Anakin, you said the base would not survive the attack..." Amidala began.

"That is correct. We will have to leave before they arrive. All of us. The three of us shouldn't be here in the first place, and we must return to our present soon. And you need to leave for your own safety."

She nodded, but an apprehensive look clouded her features. "What will happen to all of us?" she whispered.

"I don't know." The thought was sobering to Anakin as well. He looked around the room. For the first time ever, the Skywalker family was together – he was with his wife and children. He wished they could stay like this somehow. Despite the fact that he was in the suit...and Amidala was from the wrong time period...this felt perfect.

He didn't know what would happen in this time, as they tried to escape the Imperials. He didn't know what might be waiting for him and the twins when they returned to their present. But he had been given this moment. And he would hold onto it, no matter what came next.

The Skywalkers could hear the sound of the bunker door open up. Amidala turned to Anakin who nodded at her.

"It's Obi-Wan," he said. "He's here with Ki-Adi-Mundi."

Amidala turned to Luke and Leia and then back to Anakin. "Wait here," Amidala said, getting up and heading toward the door.

Amidala walked out of the main room and before her were Obi-Wan, Sylvn, and Ki-Adi-Mundi. Mundi wore a serious look over his face.

"Where are the rest?" Mundi asked, looking at Amidala.

Seconds after he said that, Luke and Leia walked out of the main door, followed by the commanding figure of Anakin Skywalker.

Ki-Adi-Mundi looked at Anakin, shock registering in his eyes. What happened to him?

He approached Anakin until the two were just inches apart. Anakin looked at Ki-Adi-Mundi, not knowing what to expect. Mundi had lost almost his entire family in the Imperial attack on his homeworld. Anakin hadn't been apart of that, but would Mundi want revenge on him anyway?

For a moment, it looked as if Mundi was about to take out his lightsaber and strike Anakin down. To his surprise, Mundi put a hand on Anakin's shoulder and gave him a sad smile.

"Welcome back to the light, Anakin," he said.

Anakin was shocked but bowed his head towards the Jedi Master.

"Thank you, Master Mundi," Anakin said. "I have to admit...that wasn't the greeting I expected."

"You thought I was going to strike you down?" Mundi asked. Anakin nodded. "I will admit that the thought crossed my mind. A few months ago, I would have. But one must never give into revenge, no matter what the reason. I don't blame you for what happened to my homeworld. You have committed terrible crimes and brought darkness into the galaxy. Those cannot be forgotten. But seeing you here, seeing that you have returned from the dark side...well, it's a very good sign indeed. Maybe things are not as lost as I once feared."

Mundi turned away from Anakin and his eyes fell to Luke and Leia. "These must be your children," Mundi said.

"Yes, Master Mundi," Amidala said, stepping forward. "Luke and Leia."

Luke bowed his head before the Jedi Master, followed by Leia. Ki-Adi-Mundi looked at the two for a long moment and then smiled. "The Force is strong in them," he said. "Like their father. It appears as if Obi-Wan and myself were right about these two. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

"You know, when Obi-Wan told me this entire story a short time ago," Mundi continued, "I wasn't sure what to think. I've never been a believer in time travel. But Obi-Wan is a man of his word. Standing before you know, it confirms all that he has said. I can sense it. It also tells me another thing. You cannot stay here."

Obi-Wan and the Skywalkers looked at each other before Obi-Wan stepped forward to face Mundi. "I agree we have to get them out of here but what about you Ki? This base isn't going to survive the Imperial attack."

"What can be done Obi-Wan?" Mundi asked.

"Anakin is here in this timeline. He can leave and continue to protect Amidala. I can stay and help you fight the Imperials now," Obi said. He didn't want to leave the base to the hands of the Empire. Most of all, he didn't want to leave Sylvn.

"Obi-Wan, I admit that I do not understand much about time travel, but tell me my friend. How long can Anakin and his children stay here?" Mundi asked.

Obi-Wan was silent.

"A week, maybe two," Mundi said. "They cannot stay in this time forever. That could cause problems for the timeline, especially if the Emperor discovered them. Obi-Wan, you are a great warrior but even your skills won't be enough to save us.

"You must fulfill your obligation to the Queen now. It is the only hope for the future. Don't worry about us my friend. The Empire will not get this base without a fight."

Obi-Wan looked at Sylvn and then back at Ki-Adi-Mundi.

"You are right my friend," Obi-Wan said. "Still, there must be something we can do to help."

Mundi nodded. "There are a number of refugees on this base that we need to evacuate. You can take them with you abroad the Queen's Royal Starship. I will give you the coordinates to a planet, far beyond the Outer Rim. We discovered this world a short time ago. If this Rebellion were to fail, we intended to set up a sanctuary there, away from the reach of the Empire."

Obi-Wan nodded and turned to Anakin. "Anakin, the starship is in the main hanger near the North Tower," he said. "You had best get there before we do. You will stick out to much."

"Agreed," Anakin said and after turning back towards his family, departed his bunker. Obi-Wan turned back to Mundi. "After Anakin is aboard, we should head to the ship and begin loading the refugees. You can give me the coordinates to that planet once were there."

Mundi nodded. With that, the six of them departed the bunker. It was time to leave Drayos.

In less than an hour, the refugees were aboard the Queen's Royal Starship. There were over one hundred of them. They were kept in the lower decks because Obi-Wan felt that it would be wise for them not to see another passenger on board. Anakin Skywalker, still in the dreadful armor of Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan had managed to round up Threepio and Artoo and get them on board. From there, Ki-Adi-Mundi gave him the coordinates for the sanctuary world. It was far away, beyond even the Outer Rim.

Obi-Wan, Amidala, Luke and Leia said their good-byes to Ki-Adi-Mundi. It was difficult for them because they knew Mundi and the resistance would not survive the Imperial attack. They had too few ships to make a getaway from the planet.

Amidala and the twins made their way onto the ship. Obi-Wan stayed behind for the moment. There was one more goodbye he had to take care off.

He looked ahead and saw Sylvn straight at him. She walked towards Obi-Wan and the two were face to face. Obi-Wan looked at her for a long moment. Sadness ached inside him at the thought of leaving her here to fight the Empire. He had lost many people he cared for over the years. He did not want to add her to that list.

"So..." Obi-Wan tried to begin.

"So..." Sylvn said with a small laugh.

"I guess this is goodbye," Obi-Wan said.

Sylvn nodded. "I'm glad you made peace with Anakin," Sylvn said.

"As am I," Obi-Wan said. "It has given me a renewed sense of hope."

"You know...my father warned me about becoming to involved with you. He felt your obligations would distract you and break my heart."

"I know," Obi-Wan said. He looked Sylvn straight in the eyes. "You know I don't want to leave you, Sylvn."

"I know," Sylvn said. "But you will do what you must. It is too important for you to protect the Queen and her children. It is the way of things."

"It is the way of the Force," Obi-Wan said, finishing one of Yoda's old sayings.

Obi-Wan moved closer to Sylvn and took both of her hands in his own. Sylvn looked up and met his eyes with her own.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said. "Thank you for being there for me. These last few months have been difficult and you have been here this last week to help me with your warmth and your kindness."

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," Sylvn said, her eyes beginning to water slightly. "You too, have given me much comfort. It's been difficult with the death of my family. You have made things so much better for me."

"I love you Sylvn," Obi-Wan said. "I thought I was past the point of having another romantic relationship. I thought that had passed for me...but it hasn't."

"I love you, Obi-Wan," Sylvn said as she and Obi-Wan moved in closer and kissed deeply. When the two finally broke away, Obi-Wan turned around and headed for the ship. As he reached the ramp, he stopped and turned back around to Sylvn.

"Sylvn," Obi-Wan said. "If...when you survive this battle...in three months time I shall be on Tatooine. Look for me there."

"I will, Obi-Wan," Sylvn said. "I promise."

Obi-Wan slowly nodded and turned around to head towards the ship, leaving Sylvn behind.

He walked up the ramp and into the ship. A moment later, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. It was Anakin's.

"I'm sorry Obi-Wan," he said.

Obi-Wan nodded.

"Anakin...is Sylvn killed in this battle?"

"I don't know," Anakin said. "I know Mundi and his high-ranking generals were, but records on this battle are sketchy. Many were killed...perhaps all of them."

Obi-Wan nodded sadly and closed the ramp door. He and Anakin headed towards the bridge.

The bridge door opened up and in there were Amidala, Luke, and Leia.

"Status report," Obi-Wan asked.

"All the remaining refugees are safely aboard on the lower deck of the ship," Amidala said.

"The ship is fully functional," Luke said. "All systems are on-line."

"Very well," Obi-Wan said. "It's time for us to leave."

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin.

"Anakin, why don't you take us out?"

Anakin nodded and moved towards the pilots' seat of the starship. He turned around to see Luke.

"Luke, I could use a co-pilot. Would you like to join me?"

A smile broke out on Luke's face. "I'd like that very much," he said, moving towards the pilot chair.

Moments later, Anakin and Luke worked the controls on the royal starship and the ship took off into space. The viewscreen filled with the mighty stars of the galaxy.

Anakin and Luke punched in the coordinates that Ki-Adi-Mundi had given him. With that set, Anakin made the jump into hyperspace. Starlines surrounded the ship as they left Drayos forever to find sanctuary.

With the royal starship in hyperspace, Anakin and Luke turned around in their chairs to face everyone else. They had a long overdue conversation to take care of.

"Where do we go from here?" Amidala asked, leaning forward.

"As I've said, we cannot stay here," Anakin said. "Once we drop off the refugees, we must return to our time."

"Is there any chance of you coming back?" Amidala asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"No," Anakin said sadly. "We can only travel to the past and back. A third trip in time would kill us before we reach our destination. When we go back in time, it will be final."

"How are you going to return to the future?" Amidala asked.

"With this," Anakin said, and he took something out of his utility belt. "These are specially designed comlinks. They were found with the time machine that brought us here. They're like a ships navicomputer. They punch in coordinates, only through time."

"Can you go back in time now?" Obi-Wan said.

"No," Leia said. "We can only return to the future from the same point we entered the past."

"Where is that?" Amidala asked.

Luke took a deep breath before answering. "Naboo."

A saddened look crossed Amidala's face. Anakin put his hand on hers.

"What's going to happen to you all once you return to the future?"

"I...do not know," Anakin said. "Palpatine has declared me an enemy of the Empire. Luke and Leia have been enemies for several years. Leaving Coruscant will not be easy."

"Coruscant resistance has provided us with a way to get off planet in the case that we returned," Luke said.

Anakin nodded. "I also know a few ways off planet if it were to come down to that." He turned towards Luke and Leia. "Does anyone else know of the mission you're on?"

"There are a few who know that the mission involves time travel," Leia said. "Only Mon Mothma knows the entire story about the Emperor's plan."

"Mon Mothma," Amidala said. "Isn't she the Imperial senator to Chandrilia?"

"In this era yes," Leia answered. "She ended up assuming leadership of the rebellion after your..." her voice trailed off.

Amidala slowly nodded, knowing how Leia was going to finish that sentence.

Luke stood up from where he was sitting.

"Our best option is to drop off the refugees and return to Naboo," Luke said. "Once we return to our time, we can use the way provided to us. We can get back to the rebellion in a few days from there."

"I don't think I would be welcome by the Rebellion," Anakin said.

Luke tried to say something but could not. He knew his father was right.

Amidala suddenly put her hand on her head and was beginning to look a little pale. Anakin turned to her.

"Amidala..." he stared to say.

"I'm all right Ani," she said. "Just a little tired."

"Let me help you to your quarters," Anakin said.

Amidala nodded and got off her chair with Anakin's help. They quickly left the bridge.

Luke's eyes suddenly fell on Obi-Wan. The Jedi met his gaze. This was a meeting he had been looking forward to for a long time.

"I think I'll leave the two of you alone," Leia said, getting up from her seat. "I'll go see how Threepio and Artoo are doing with the refugees. Hopefully, they haven't killed each other yet."

Luke gave her a small smile and nodded. Leia quickly left the bridge.

Luke turned back to Obi-Wan. This was the first time Luke had seen Obi-Wan as a young man. He had always wanted to get to know him better but time had prevented that. Now, time had given him a second chance.

Obi-Wan noticed Luke staring at him.

"What?" Obi-Wan asked.

"It's just that when I first met you," Luke said. "You were an old man."

"I take it then, that your training began later in your life?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes," Luke said. "My training began three years ago. Three years ago in my timeline"

"You've only been training for three years?" Obi-Wan asked in surprise.

Luke nodded.

"Three years, and your already a powerful Jedi," Obi-Wan said. "I must say I'm impressed. It took me twenty-five years to become a full Jedi."

"I had a good teacher," Luke said with a smile. "To be honest, I'm not even a full Jedi yet. I'm still really just an apprentice."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Obi-Wan said. "The way you carried yourself on Drayos was remarkable. What you told me...you spoke as a true Jedi would. I could not have spoken them any better."

"Trust me, Ben...Obi-Wan, you will many times in the future," Luke said, causing Obi-Wan to raise one of his eyebrows.

"You know Luke, seeing you and Leia here today, is truly remarkable. These last six months, I've seen the Jedi hunted down and destroyed by the Empire. I thought that our kind was destined to be wiped out of the galaxy forever. That the Jedi were not destined to see another generation. But you being here have given me a sense of hope. I'm glad to know there are still a few Jedi left to keep alive the traditions of our order."

"The Jedi would not have survived if it wasn't for you, Obi-Wan," Luke said. "You and Master Yoda."

"Master Yoda is still alive?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes, he is still alive and going strong. He was my second teacher."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm not surprised," he said. "Yoda always found a way to survive, no matter what the circumstance. That is one of the reasons he was…is the best."

"It's amazing he survived so long with his cooking," Luke said.

Obi-Wan turned to Luke, mock-horror in his eyes. "You've...tasted Yoda's cooking?"

"Yes," Luke said. "My training almost ended before it started because of it."

With that, the two Jedi broke out in laughter. When they composed themselves, Luke looked into Obi-Wan's eyes.

"Obi-Wan," he said. "There is...so much I want to tell you about the future. But I promised someone that I would not."

Obi-Wan looked at Luke and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know Luke," he said. "And I understand. It is best that one does not know too much about his own destiny, no matter where it leads him. It could end up doing more harm then good. Whatever fate awaits me, I will be ready for it. I will confront it as a Jedi should."

"Listen," Luke said. "I've...I've never really had a chance to say this to you before but thank you. Thank you for helping me become the person that I am today. You've done so much for me. You've been the closet thing to a father for me. I will be forever grateful to you Ben."

Obi-Wan smiled, touched by what Luke had just said.

"No, thank you, Luke," Obi-Wan said. "For a long time, I've felt that I helped nobody. That all those I've been close to...Qui-Gon, Yoda, Anakin, Amidala...that I've done nothing but caused them misery. Knowing that I've helped you and seeing how you've turned out – it makes me happy to see that I've managed to touch somebody's life."

Luke smiled and to Obi-Wan's surprise embraced him. Obi-Wan returned the gesture.

"You know Luke," Obi-Wan said. "There is something that I want to know. I don't think it would effect the timeline too much."

"Of course," Luke said, not quite knowing what Obi-Wan was going to say. "What is it?"

"Why do you keep calling me Ben?"

Anakin followed Amidala into her quarters. He shook his head at the impossibly small room, wondering how she had ever gotten used to life as a refugee. She should be in a palace, surrounded by her handmaidens and relaxing during the end of her pregnancy…he should have been by her side…

Regrets. That was all he had – every time he looked at her, every time he looked at the twins, every time he looked at Obi-Wan.

"Anakin, are you all right?" Amidala was sitting on her bed, looking at him curiously.

"I…haven't actually told you how sorry I am for what's happened to you," he said quietly. "I wish you didn't have to live like this."

She shrugged dismissively. "You can wish things for an eternity, and it won't change a thing."

Anakin turned to her sharply, remembering their unfinished conversation on the base. "What does that mean?"

"It means that I'm tired of thinking about things I could have done."

"You're not thinking of going after me, are you?"

"Why not?"

He hesitated. She noticed. Anakin fumbled a moment for a good reason…"We cannot risk altering the timeline, Amidala –"

She silenced him with a look . "This may come as a surprise to you, Anakin, but I don't care much for or about this timeline. And despite all your protestations about the sanctity of time, I know you're unhappy with it too." She grabbed hold of his hand, and in a low, urgent voice said, "We've been given a chance to fix things, Ani. You can't seriously expect me to just give that up."

Anakin sat next to her on the bed, wondering if there was any chance to talk her out of this. But he wasn't even sure himself why he was trying so hard to stop her…except that a knot twisted in his stomach every time he thought about what she was going to do.

Finally, he said, "I don't want you to jeopardize yourself. The fact that things worked out in this situation doesn't mean that they'll work out if you try it earlier."

"Maybe not." Amidala stood and walked over to her dresser. She returned to the bed, holding a small picture, which she handed to him. "But I have to try."

Anakin took the photo from her reluctantly. He knew what it was. Their wedding picture.

"Can't you even look at it?" she whispered.

He cringed slightly at the frustration in her voice. Anakin brought his eyes toward the picture slowly. It had been over twenty years since he had seen himself this way. A part of him had been grateful when Palpatine purged all records pertaining to him. It was too painful to remember.

The smile was what hurt him most. Then there was the rest of his face – completely unscarred, not the deathly pale color it had been for so long. He looked happy, and healthy, and strong…it had been so long since he had allowed himself to even remember what that was like.

She was radiant, of course. Amidala had caused a mini-scandal by choosing not to wear her ceremonial make-up, but he had been so grateful for that decision. He loved it when she wasn't covered up. After spending two decades under a mask, he appreciated it more now.

Anakin couldn't deny that a part of him absolutely yearned to return to a new present. One where she was alive and with him; one where the children had been raised together; one where the Emperor was already defeated. It was a heady thought. Still, that knot wouldn't go away.

But he looked up at her – and knew immediately that he wasn't going to change her mind. So he made up his.

"Ami, you must realize that in this time period, I've just joined Palpatine and…been put in this suit. I am very different; it is far less likely that I will listen to anything you have to say." He kept going before she could object.

"Here, we're out of the Emperor's reach – and I had recently found Luke…and I was forced into a situation where I had to act. If I didn't disobey Palpatine, you would have been killed. And even with all those forces at work, I still almost chose revenge on Obi-Wan."

"Anakin –"

"But, I know you're going to do this no matter what I say." She sat next to him again, without interrupting. "Amidala, you must listen to me. I want to give you the best chance to succeed. Please."

She nodded.

"You cannot go now, or even immediately after the twins' birth. There is no chance you can find me away from Palpatine until I have been fully recovered for several months. And that won't be for quite awhile yet.

"There was a point, about five years from now, where I had a…crisis. I lost much of my faith in what I was doing. Perhaps that would be the best point for you to try this."

Her face blanched. "I don't think I'm supposed to be alive in another five years."

"No," he replied. I may as well just tell her. "You are going to restart the Rebellion shortly after the twins are born…You will be killed in a small battle on Malestere." He waited for her to adjust to that information.

After a long moment, she asked, "And what is this crisis?"

"I assisted in an attack on Naboo that essentially wiped out any surviving humans and Gungans there. It was –" he swallowed hard "– a deeply personal mission, which is probably why Palpatine sent me. Afterwards, I refused to return to Coruscant. It was one of very few times that I had serious thoughts of leaving the Sith."

Amidala sighed sadly. He had expected her to look horrified, but she simply appeared overwhelmed. "So why didn't you leave?"

"I was too afraid, too weak. I was filled with self-loathing. I couldn't imagine where I would go, or what I would do – I knew I didn't deserve anything but what I was getting with the Emperor. I had two choices: to return to Coruscant, put the incident out of my mind, and rededicate myself to the life I had chosen…or try to start over on my own after everything I had done. I never believed the second one was an option."

She brought his gloved hand to her mouth and kissed it gently. "I'll have to convince you otherwise then."

"I pray that you are successful." His voice then dropped to a pleading whisper. "Please, Amidala, just survive. If you are alive when I return, I will find you, no matter what has happened or where you are. I swear it."

Amidala took a deep, shaky breath, and let it out slowly. "I will." She leaned against him, undeterred by the armor.

He returned the embrace. The two simply remained there, holding each other in silence.

The Queen's royal starship continued its journey through hyperspace for the next two days. They had not heard anything from Drayos, but then again, they had not expected to.

Amidala spent that time with her children, getting to know them better. Anakin joined them, but Leia still kept her distance from him. Anakin and Luke exchanged stories about growing up on Tatooine and about one of their great loves, racing. Amidala and Leia exchanged stories about their experiences with royalty. Despite the tension between Anakin and Leia, the Skywalker family was finally together, and Anakin hadn't been this happy in a very long time.

Anakin had also been spending some time with Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan was helping Anakin adjust to the light side of the Force. It had been so long since Anakin had served the Light, and he hoped that now, given a second chance, he could finally learn how to control it. The way that a Jedi would.

The two of them were now meditating in one of the cargo holds of the starship. Anakin had hated meditating when he was Obi-Wan's Padawan but found now that it helped him relax and put aside the problems of the past.

There was still one problem that was bothering him. Amidala. He kept thinking about their conversation earlier. He knew that there would be no stopping her. Even if he told Obi-Wan what she had planned, in the hopes his master might try to stop her, his wife would find a way around it.

Anakin wanted so badly for her to succeed but he knew the chance for that was unlikely. The man he was in the past was more angry and unreasonable than how he was in later years. Amidala would have her work cut out for her. Still, no matter what the odds, no matter how unlikely the possibility of saving him was, she would not quit. That was one of the things about her that Anakin loved so much.

Anakin and Obi-Wan finished their meditating. They rose to their feet and Obi-Wan turned to face Anakin.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "Have you given thought to what you're going to do once you return to your time?"

"I...do not know Obi-Wan," Anakin said. "As I've said, I wouldn't be welcomed by the Rebellion. One thing though, I must see Master Yoda. He might have the answers that I'm looking for." Anakin had been shocked to discover from Luke that Yoda was still alive. He had thought the old master had died long ago.

"Still," he continued, turning away from Obi-Wan. "That is a meeting I'm not looking forward too."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, putting his hand on his former student's shoulder. "I think that you're overreacting. I'm sure Master Yoda..."

"Will understand?" Anakin interrupted. "I don't think so. You know he'll likely gloat about the fact that he was right about me all along. That I was dangerous and should not have been trained. And you want to know something...he will have been right. I'll know this when I stand before him."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "What I was going to say is that I think that Master Yoda will be happy to see you again. To know that you have returned from the dark side. Contrary to what you have always believed Padawan, he never hated you."

"He never liked me either, Obi-Wan," Anakin said.

Just before Obi-Wan could answer, a signal came from the comlink on the wall across from them. Obi-Wan walked over to it and activated it.

"Yes?"

"Obi-Wan," Luke's voice came through. "Subspace communications are picking up a distress signal roughly two light years away from us. I think it's one of the Rebellion's ships."

"All right," Obi-Wan said. "We're on our way."

Obi-Wan shut off the comlink and turned to Anakin.

"We will resume this conversation later," Obi-Wan said.

Anakin nodded and the two left the cargo room to head for the bridge.

Anakin and Obi-Wan entered the bridge a short time later. There they found Luke sitting at the operations console with Leia standing above him. Amidala was by their side and turned to the two Jedi.

"Practicing?" she asked.

"Meditating really, but yes," Anakin answered.

"I hope you too weren't dueling again," Amidala said.

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and gave him a sly grin. "We've agreed that it would be best not to attempt that again. We don't want to end up punching a hole through the ship." Obi-Wan said.

Amidala gave a small laugh as the two Jedi joined them.

"What have you found?" Anakin asked.

"A distress signal," Luke said, pointing to the monitor in front of him. "It's from an old freighter called the Dedication. Its secret registry is listed as being from a resistance group in the Arkadis sector."

"The signal has reported that they were under attack by Imperial forces," Leia said. "It transmitted for a while and then stopped."

"It might have been destroyed," Obi-Wan said.

"Do you think we should investigate?" Amidala asked.

"Is that wise?" Luke said. "We would have to break out of hyperspace. That would leave us vulnerable to Imperial sensors."

"It might also be a trap," Leia added.

"I sense nothing," Obi-Wan said.

"Nor do I, but that doesn't mean that it is not a trap," Anakin said.

"No, but perhaps we should investigate," Obi-Wan said. "Although it is important for us to reach our destination safely, it would be wrong to ignore this. We are Jedi. We have a duty to help."

"I agree but we should exercise caution," Anakin said. "We should go in with shields up and weapons ready."

"Agreed" Obi-Wan said. He turned to Leia. "Leia, would you join me and take the bottom weapon turret? I'll take the top."

"Of course, Obi-Wan," Leia said, and she and Obi-Wan left the bridge.

Anakin took his place at the pilot's seat with Luke as his co-pilot. Amidala took a seat at the operations console.

The starship rapidly approached the coordinates of the distress signal. Anakin made the preparations for the starship to come out of hyperspace.

Anakin brought the starship out of hyperspace. In a matter of seconds, he brought the shields up and armed the weapons. The Queen's starship had once been a ship of peace. It still was, but following the Battle of Naboo, numerous modifications were made to the ship. Turret guns were added to the top and bottom of the ship, along with proton torpedoes and concussion missiles. This ship was now ready to face any threat that might come its way.

As soon as Anakin came out of hyperspace, all that he saw was debris. Debris from the Dedication. There was nothing left.

"Looks like we were to late," Luke observed.

"Sensors are picking up no life signs, Ani," Amidala said.

"Obi-Wan, Leia," Anakin said. "Do you see anything from where you are?"

"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "Nothing but I...something's wrong."

"I sense it to," Anakin said and looked out at the viewscreen.

Small objects were coming towards the starship. It didn't take long for Anakin to recognize them.

"TIE fighters!" Anakin said. "About a dozen of them coming straight at us!"

"It's a trap!" Luke said.

Indeed, twelve TIE Fighters flew straight towards the starship in attack formation. Anakin managed to swerve the ship out of the way just in time as the fighters opened fire.

The TIE fighters adjusted and continued to head straight towards them. Laser blast flew at the starship.

Anakin swerved and dodged the incoming fire. Obi-Wan and Leia began to open fire on the fighters.

Using the Force, Obi-Wan scored two quick kills. Seconds later, Leia scored one as well. A fighter broke formation and headed toward the starship at a suicidal pace. Anakin used to front guns to blast it into tiny pieces.

The starship rocked as a laser blast hit it. They were rocked again and again before Obi-Wan and Leia downed another three fighters. Anakin and Luke handled another two before another laser blast shook the ship.

The two remaining fighters came straight ahead at the starship, attempting to destroy it. But Anakin was ready. Using an impressive dip formation, he moved out of the way at the last moment and the fighters crashed into each other.

Twelve fighters had come in and now none of them were left.

"Everyone all right?" Anakin asked, looking around. Luke and Amidala nodded and he quickly got responses from Obi-Wan and Leia.

"We should have seen that coming," Anakin said, angry with himself. "Let's get out of here. Prepare to make the jump into..."

"Ani," Amidala said. "We have bigger problem."

Anakin looked at her and then at the viewscreen. He now saw what the "bigger problem" was. They were staring down an Imperial Star Destroyer!

"We're going to have to get past it in order to return to hyperspace," Anakin said. He knew it was easier said then done. He turned to the figures around him. "Strap in. This is going to be rough."

They did so, and Anakin opened up the comm to Obi-Wan and Leia.

"Get ready," Anakin said. "We might need you two."

They complied and Anakin flew right at the Star Destroyer.

The Star Destroyer opened fire at the starship. Anakin dodged and ducked every single blast as he and Luke skillfully worked the controls. He weaved in and out of fire, making his ship an elusive target.

"Open fire!" Anakin screamed.

Obi-Wan and Leia opened fire from the turret guns and Luke fired out a pair of proton torpedoes. They went crashing into the Star Destroyer, scoring a direct hit on its main body.

"What happened?" Anakin asked.

"Minimal damage," Amidala said, looking at her monitor. "Their shields are to strong for our weapons.

Just then, one of the Star Destroyers lasers scored a hit on the royal starship, causing an explosion. A second blast hit the starship, causing the ship to go dark temporarily.

Anakin tried to fire the concussion missiles at the Destroyer but was unable to. He turned to Luke, who was trying to get a handle on the controls.

"Hyper drive's been damaged!" he yelled. "Our weapons systems too. We can't get into hyperspace. We can't stay in front them either!"

Anakin turned the ship away from the Star Destroyer and flew in retreat from it. The Destroyer continued firing at the starship. Anakin managed to avoid most of the blasts but the power of them still rocked the ship.

"If we don't find cover soon, we're done for," Anakin said.

"Anakin, there's a nebula close by," Amidala said. "It's violate and filled with radiation but the Star Destroyer won't be able to follow us."

Anakin briefly looked at his monitor for a readout of the nebula. It was indeed violate, with numerous electromagnetic storms. But it was their only hope.

"Luke," Anakin said. "Divert emergency power to the shields. I'm heading straight for the nebula."

Luke nodded and boosted the shield power. Anakin swayed the starship and headed in."

Seeing this, the Star Destroyer intensified its firepower, in an attempt to destroy the ship before it reached the nebula. But it was too late. The starship had managed to cross into the expanse.

The Queen's starship made it's way through the nebula. It was purple and dark, devoid of any stars. The electromagnetic waves rocked the ship, but the shields held.

"All stop," Anakin said. "Make sure emergency power remains with the deflector shield."

Luke nodded and he and Anakin brought the ship to a full stop.

Anakin and Luke got up from their seats and headed over to the operations station where Amidala was. There they monitored the damage to the starship.

A few moments later, they were joined by Obi-Wan and Leia.

"What's going on?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Our hyperdrive has been damaged," Anakin said. "Our weapon systems as well. We're holed up in this nebula right now."

"So, it was a trap," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes," Anakin said. "A clever one at that. The Star Destroyer must have intercepted the Dedication a while ago and set this trap to draw out any rebels."

"Is the Star Destroyer still out there?" Amidala asked.

"Yes," Anakin said. "They will not leave until they know we're destroyed. Palpatine's policy during this time period was to destroy any Rebel resistance no matter what. He wanted to make sure he could completely consummate his control of the galaxy."

"How long can we stay in this nebula before we are forced to leave?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Our shield will hold for another four hours before the electromagnetic energy proves too much for it," Luke answered.

"We have to get the hyperdrive back on line. The weapons as well. We can make another run at the Star Destroyer then," Anakin said.

"There's a good chance we won't have any shields when we attempt to get past that Destroyer," Luke added.

"I realize that," Anakin said. "But we have no other option. We can formulate a plan as we go along."

Everyone was in agreement. Anakin turned to face the group. "We should split up into pairs," he said. "Myself and Leia will work on the hyperdrive. Luke and Obi-Wan can work on the weapons systems. Even though the Star Destroyer has a strong shield, we may still need them."

"What do you want me to do, Ani?" Amidala asked.

"I'll need you to stay on the bridge and monitor our progress," Anakin said. "Ami, you might want to check the main controls as well. Make sure that nothing has shorted out."

Amidala nodded.

"I believe we're all set then," Anakin said.

Suddenly, the ships comlink began to beep. Anakin turned it on.

"Master Anakin, Mistress Amidala," See-Threepio's frantic voice came through. "Please, I must know what to do. The refugees are getting unruly. I don't know if Artoo and myself can get control of them."

Anakin turned to Amidala. Even with the mask on, Amidala could picture the smile on Anakin's face.

"Threepio, tell them we've been having some...difficulties with the ship. We are currently at a full stop and making repairs," Anakin said.

"But Master Anakin," Threepio said. "I don't know if I can convince them of that."

"Threepio," Anakin said. "You can do it. I know you can."

"Yes, yes of course, Master Anakin," Threepio said. "I will do what I can. It…it is good to have you back sir."

"Thank you, Threepio," Anakin said, turning of the comlink. He turned around and found everyone looking at him skeptically.

"Are you sure Threepio can handle the refugees?" Luke asked.

Anakin nodded. "Don't you trust him Luke?"

"Yes, I do," Luke admitted. "I still can't believe you built him."

"Neither can I," Anakin admitted.