************************
Chapter Two: The Path Chosen
Anakin Skywalker sat on the balcony at his home the next evening, concentrating on his meditation. Though he had not been an active Jedi Knight for many years, he still kept up the practices of the Jedi. Meditation, saber practice, levitation drills, telepathy, everything he had been trained to practice since he was a Padawan many years before.
His meditation on this morning found himself pondering much of that past. His life as a Padawan and Jedi Knight seemed like a completely different lifetime, one he looked back on fondly in some ways, not so fondly in others.
In that life, Anakin had defied the Jedi Order and married the woman he had loved since he was nine years old, Padme Amidala. To this day, he still felt it must have been fate that had brought Anakin and his then Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on the mission to protect then Senator Amidala of Naboo after an attempt on her life. Fate that had brought Padme back into his life, and had brought love into her heart for the Jedi Padawan whom she had known as a boy.
At first, Padme resisted Anakin and the love growing in her heart for him. It was difficult, because she had lived almost all of her life as a politician, a symbol even, whom people saw as Senator Amidala, or Queen Amidala before that. But Anakin didn't love her as a symbol or as a politician. He saw her as Padme, and loved her as a woman. This, along with the fact that Anakin was a brave warrior who also had a sensitive side, a sense of needing her not as a politician but as a person, seemed to draw her to Anakin. He seemed to fulfill her very definition of manhood, strong and brave, yet possessing a vulnerability that he only showed her. Even though the universe told them they couldn't be together, both Anakin and Padme had told the universe to be damned, that they wanted each other. They married in secret, hoping to find a way to make things work.
But the times became hard as the Republic darkened and changed into an empire dominated by Chancellor Palpatine. Padme saw the changes coming, but Anakin somehow trusted Palpatine's judgment. Over a period of a couple of years, Anakin and Padme began to grow apart as circumstances interfered in their relationship. He was always off fighting some battle in the Clone War, a full Jedi Knight and one many saw as the most powerful of the order. She, meanwhile, began to work towards ending the war with diplomacy and finding a way to revoke Palpatine's emergency powers granted to him by the Senate. All the while, they kept their marriage a secret from everyone, even Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Things got out of control, however, and the army of Clone Troopers raised to combat the separatists began to be used as shock troops to enforce the will of the government on its subjects. At the same time, Anakin seemed to darken as evil began to ensnare him, evil in the form of Palpatine himself.
Obi-Wan Kenobi found out too late that Palpatine was indeed a Sith Lord, and that he intended to turn Anakin to the dark side. He had told Padme to avoid Anakin, after finding out that they had secretly married several years before. At first, she did, but Padme found out she was pregnant, and knew that she had to try to help Anakin, to save the father of her children.
It would be Padme that would eventually keep Anakin from turning to the dark side, and their love that kept him from moving forward on the dark path. Count Dooku, Palpatine's Sith cohort, attempted to kill Padme to prevent Anakin from being turned away from the dark path. But Anakin confronted and defeated Dooku, saving Padme and their unborn children.
Anakin knew that Palpatine would try to kill him and Padme, to prevent them and their children from being a threat to him in the future. The couple realized that, for the sake of their children, they had to flee Coruscant and find refuge somewhere. Obi-Wan helped them escape, and he and Anakin, once Master and Apprentice and almost bitter enemies, said a tearful goodbye as Anakin took his wife and unborn children to safety.
They went to a colony Anakin knew about in the Outer Rim called Lessalia. It was a beautiful world with lush forests and grasslands located beyond the boundaries of the Republic, and was well isolated. It was settled by humans from Alderaan twenty years before who wanted to live a quieter life in a more natural environment. Anakin and Obi-Wan had stumbled on it years before on one of their missions, and Anakin knew it would be a perfect place to hide and raise his and Padme's children.
Now, seventeen years later, Anakin and Padme lived on Lessalia with their three children, as well as their droids, C3PO and R2D2. The twins, Luke and Leia, were now seventeen, and their other son, Ruwee, was eleven. Padme taught at the colony school, mainly grammar and history to the younger children. It wasn't as glamorous as being a Senator or Queen, but in many ways, Padme seemed to love being a teacher more. And she still acted as a politician, sitting on the Colonial Ruling Council, which met once a month to handle the light business of colonial governance.
Anakin, meanwhile, was the local constable. As the colony grew in size to about 200, and with some ships passing through from time to time, the Colonial Council felt they needed someone who represented the law. Anakin, a former Jedi, seemed the natural choice. He accepted the mostly routine job, rarely ever finding any crime to be prevented. Therefore, Anakin also filled his time by teaching some mechanical classes at the school. But, his most occupying life's work was teaching his son, Luke, the ways of the Jedi.
Even since he was very young, Luke Skywalker had loved hearing his Father's stories of being a Jedi and a pilot, and begged Anakin to train him at both. Since the boy did have the powers passed down from his Father (not to mention Anakin's sandy blond hair and good looks), Anakin decided to grant his wish and took Anakin as his informal Padawan learner. Luke had been training as a Jedi since he was ten. Padme insisted on waiting until Luke was ten to train him, out of a Mother's wish to see her son be a child for a little while longer before beginning the commitments to his Jedi training. Anakin granted this Mother's wish. Luke's training, after it had begun, progressed quickly, and Luke was improving in his skills both as a Jedi and as a pilot all the time. Anakin even figured Luke had more discipline than he had at 17, probably passed down from his Mother.
Leia Skywalker, on the other hand, was not in training to be a Jedi. Though Anakin taught her some basic techniques to control her inherited Jedi powers, Leia had shown little interest in being trained as a Jedi. This was surprising considering how close Leia was with her Father.
Since the time she was little, Anakin had referred to Leia as his "Princess". Leia would be granted almost any wish by her Father just by giving him one of her infamous pouts. One look at his sweet daughter's countenance (one that reflected so much of Padme from her facial features to her long, dark hair) and Anakin turned to putty. He used to carry little Leia around on his shoulders, his daughter giggling with delight.
But as Leia got older, she began to reflect more of Padme's influence than Anakin's in her interests. Though she was tough and spirited, Leia showed more interests in intellectual pursuits and politics than she did in light sabers and warrior training. Leia decided not to be trained as a Jedi, and instead began working with Padme as a tutor to her Mother's students and as an aid to Padme's work on the Colonial Council.
Ruwee Skywalker had only begun rudimentary Jedi training, not sure whether or not he wanted to make the commitment to being trained as a Jedi or not. Anakin decided to give his dark haired younger son the time he needed to decide, while he and Luke both taught the youngest Skywalker child basic techniques of controlling his inherited abilities, much like Leia had been taught.
Despite the different interests and paths the children took, they and their parents were still a close knit family. Anakin was an attentive Father who mixed a firm hand with a caring heart as he and his wife raised their children. Padme was a tender and loving Mother, who still straightened Luke's hair like she did when he was little, who would sit and talk girl stuff with Leia, and who would hold Ruwee in her arms while the family gathered for story time. The stories would be told either by Anakin or Padme, of their time as a Jedi and politician respectively. The children would listen in awe at hearing of their parents adventures, even as they got older.
And the love and bond between Anakin and Padme never weakened like it had those years ago, when the dark side loomed to take Anakin from Padme's side. Even in their forties, the two of them acted as young lovers would. Anakin would often sneak up on Padme and grab her by the waist. She would jump with a yelp, then turn and playfully slap Anakin on the shoulder and then they would exchange passionate kisses. Also quite often, one of the children would step in and say "oh, please, get a room." Then, of course, Anakin and Padme would do just that, heading for their bedroom to put some more wear and tear on the bed.
Anakin's meditations on the past were interrupted as he sensed his son come onto the balcony and hastily sit down to meditate. "You're late, my son," said Anakin.
"Sorry," said Luke. "I ran into someone on my way home from the store. Mom sent me to get some things for dinner."
"Hmm," said Anakin. "It wouldn't happen to be that blonde girl who bats her eyes at you and makes you blush, would it?"
"Dad!" said Luke. "Mara and I are just friends."
"Uh-huh," said Anakin. "Then how come you were trying to kiss her the other night."
"How did you know that?" asked Luke.
Anakin smiled. "I'm your Father, and I am a Jedi. I have my ways."
"Excuse me," said the voice of C3PO from behind them. "Mistress Padme asked me to inform you that dinner is ready."
"Thanks, 3PO," said Luke.
Father and son went inside to join the rest of their family at the dinner table.
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi stepped into a Cantina in Mos Eisely space port, surveying the scene before him. The scum of the galaxy gathered hear to make various dealings both of a benign and nefarious in nature. The Jedi Master did not like going into such a wretched hive of scum and villainy, but knew that he needed such a place to find assistance in getting off of Tatooine.
Cautiously, Obi-Wan made his way through the bar, making discreet inquiries as to hiring transportation off of Tatooine. Eventually, he came across a Wookie named Chewbacca, who told Obi-Wan that he and his Captain had a ship and could take them anywhere, provided he could pay.
The Wookie led the Jedi Master over to a table. Waiting there was a dark haired man with roguish features and a blaster holstered on his leg. "Chewie," said the man. "Who's this guy?"
Chewie said something to the man. "A customer, huh," said the man. "Well, mister..."
"My name right now, isn't important," said Obi-Wan. "And you are?"
The man gave the Jedi a sardonic look. "Han Solo, Captain of the Millennium Falcon. So, mister...should I just call you mister?"
"Call me Ben, for now," said Obi-Wan.
"Well, Ben, Chewie tells me you want to hire my ship," said Han with a smirk. "How soon?"
"Immediately," said Obi-Wan. "Time is of the essence."
"I see," said Han. "Well, what's the cargo?"
"Just me," said Obi-Wan.
"And our destination?" asked Han.
"Two stops," said Obi-Wan. "I'll tell you once we leave. Secrecy is essential."
"Uh-huh," said Han. "Well, sounds like you're in trouble. Care to tell me how much?"
"Let's just say I would like to avoid any Imperial entanglements," said Han.
"Well that's it, huh," said Han. "That's the catch. No Imperial entanglements. Its going to cost you plenty."
"How much?" asked Obi-Wan, waiting for the inevitable shoe to drop.
"Ten thousand, all in advance," said Han.
Obi-Wan surveyed the man calmly. "I can pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we get to our second destination."
"Seventeen, huh?" asked Han.
Obi-Wan nodded. "I need to get out of here quickly, and I need to get to my destination quickly as well. Can you do it for the price I have outlined?"
Han considered for a moment before replying. "Alright," said Han. "I can do it. You've hired yourself a ship. But you better not double cross me, old man, or I'll have Chewie here take that money out of your hide."
Obi-Wan gave Han a smirk, thinking how foolish it would be to consider a Wookie to be a threat to a Jedi Master. "Well, shall we go."
"Sure," said Han.
Obi-Wan, Han, and Chewie got up and left the cantina. On their way out, they ran into an alien named Greedo that attempted to stop Han with a blaster pistol.
"Leaving so soon, Solo?" asked Greedo.
"Yes, Greedo, but I'll be back," said Han. "Tell Jabba I've got his money."
"I don't think so, Solo," said Greedo.
"We've no time for this," thought Obi-Wan. He then waved his hand and spoke to Greedo. "You've made a mistake," said Obi-Wan.
Greedo paused, then spoke. "I've made a mistake."
"This isn't the man your looking for," said Obi-Wan.
"He's not the man I'm looking for," said Greedo.
"You need to go away and look elsewhere," said Obi-Wan.
"I need to go away, and look elsewhere," parroted Greedo. The alien holstered his blaster and walked away.
"How the hell did you..." began Han.
"Never mind," said Obi-Wan. "It sounds like I'm not the only one in trouble, eh?"
"Yeah, well...let's get out of here," said Han.
The trio made their way to their ship. They got out of Mos Eisely with no trouble, and reached orbit. Once in space, Han turned to Obi-Wan.
"Alright, Ben, where to?" asked Han.
"The name is Obi-Wan Kenobi," said Obi-Wan. "And our destination is the colony of Lessalia."
"Never heard of it," said Han.
"I have the coordinates," said Obi-Wan, handing them on a data chip to Han.
"Alright," said Han. "Chewie, put these into the flight computer."
Chewbacca took the chip, put it in the terminal, and began punching numbers. "Now would you care to tell me why we're going there?" asked Han.
"I need to seek the help of an old friend," said Obi-Wan.
Chapter Two: The Path Chosen
Anakin Skywalker sat on the balcony at his home the next evening, concentrating on his meditation. Though he had not been an active Jedi Knight for many years, he still kept up the practices of the Jedi. Meditation, saber practice, levitation drills, telepathy, everything he had been trained to practice since he was a Padawan many years before.
His meditation on this morning found himself pondering much of that past. His life as a Padawan and Jedi Knight seemed like a completely different lifetime, one he looked back on fondly in some ways, not so fondly in others.
In that life, Anakin had defied the Jedi Order and married the woman he had loved since he was nine years old, Padme Amidala. To this day, he still felt it must have been fate that had brought Anakin and his then Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on the mission to protect then Senator Amidala of Naboo after an attempt on her life. Fate that had brought Padme back into his life, and had brought love into her heart for the Jedi Padawan whom she had known as a boy.
At first, Padme resisted Anakin and the love growing in her heart for him. It was difficult, because she had lived almost all of her life as a politician, a symbol even, whom people saw as Senator Amidala, or Queen Amidala before that. But Anakin didn't love her as a symbol or as a politician. He saw her as Padme, and loved her as a woman. This, along with the fact that Anakin was a brave warrior who also had a sensitive side, a sense of needing her not as a politician but as a person, seemed to draw her to Anakin. He seemed to fulfill her very definition of manhood, strong and brave, yet possessing a vulnerability that he only showed her. Even though the universe told them they couldn't be together, both Anakin and Padme had told the universe to be damned, that they wanted each other. They married in secret, hoping to find a way to make things work.
But the times became hard as the Republic darkened and changed into an empire dominated by Chancellor Palpatine. Padme saw the changes coming, but Anakin somehow trusted Palpatine's judgment. Over a period of a couple of years, Anakin and Padme began to grow apart as circumstances interfered in their relationship. He was always off fighting some battle in the Clone War, a full Jedi Knight and one many saw as the most powerful of the order. She, meanwhile, began to work towards ending the war with diplomacy and finding a way to revoke Palpatine's emergency powers granted to him by the Senate. All the while, they kept their marriage a secret from everyone, even Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Things got out of control, however, and the army of Clone Troopers raised to combat the separatists began to be used as shock troops to enforce the will of the government on its subjects. At the same time, Anakin seemed to darken as evil began to ensnare him, evil in the form of Palpatine himself.
Obi-Wan Kenobi found out too late that Palpatine was indeed a Sith Lord, and that he intended to turn Anakin to the dark side. He had told Padme to avoid Anakin, after finding out that they had secretly married several years before. At first, she did, but Padme found out she was pregnant, and knew that she had to try to help Anakin, to save the father of her children.
It would be Padme that would eventually keep Anakin from turning to the dark side, and their love that kept him from moving forward on the dark path. Count Dooku, Palpatine's Sith cohort, attempted to kill Padme to prevent Anakin from being turned away from the dark path. But Anakin confronted and defeated Dooku, saving Padme and their unborn children.
Anakin knew that Palpatine would try to kill him and Padme, to prevent them and their children from being a threat to him in the future. The couple realized that, for the sake of their children, they had to flee Coruscant and find refuge somewhere. Obi-Wan helped them escape, and he and Anakin, once Master and Apprentice and almost bitter enemies, said a tearful goodbye as Anakin took his wife and unborn children to safety.
They went to a colony Anakin knew about in the Outer Rim called Lessalia. It was a beautiful world with lush forests and grasslands located beyond the boundaries of the Republic, and was well isolated. It was settled by humans from Alderaan twenty years before who wanted to live a quieter life in a more natural environment. Anakin and Obi-Wan had stumbled on it years before on one of their missions, and Anakin knew it would be a perfect place to hide and raise his and Padme's children.
Now, seventeen years later, Anakin and Padme lived on Lessalia with their three children, as well as their droids, C3PO and R2D2. The twins, Luke and Leia, were now seventeen, and their other son, Ruwee, was eleven. Padme taught at the colony school, mainly grammar and history to the younger children. It wasn't as glamorous as being a Senator or Queen, but in many ways, Padme seemed to love being a teacher more. And she still acted as a politician, sitting on the Colonial Ruling Council, which met once a month to handle the light business of colonial governance.
Anakin, meanwhile, was the local constable. As the colony grew in size to about 200, and with some ships passing through from time to time, the Colonial Council felt they needed someone who represented the law. Anakin, a former Jedi, seemed the natural choice. He accepted the mostly routine job, rarely ever finding any crime to be prevented. Therefore, Anakin also filled his time by teaching some mechanical classes at the school. But, his most occupying life's work was teaching his son, Luke, the ways of the Jedi.
Even since he was very young, Luke Skywalker had loved hearing his Father's stories of being a Jedi and a pilot, and begged Anakin to train him at both. Since the boy did have the powers passed down from his Father (not to mention Anakin's sandy blond hair and good looks), Anakin decided to grant his wish and took Anakin as his informal Padawan learner. Luke had been training as a Jedi since he was ten. Padme insisted on waiting until Luke was ten to train him, out of a Mother's wish to see her son be a child for a little while longer before beginning the commitments to his Jedi training. Anakin granted this Mother's wish. Luke's training, after it had begun, progressed quickly, and Luke was improving in his skills both as a Jedi and as a pilot all the time. Anakin even figured Luke had more discipline than he had at 17, probably passed down from his Mother.
Leia Skywalker, on the other hand, was not in training to be a Jedi. Though Anakin taught her some basic techniques to control her inherited Jedi powers, Leia had shown little interest in being trained as a Jedi. This was surprising considering how close Leia was with her Father.
Since the time she was little, Anakin had referred to Leia as his "Princess". Leia would be granted almost any wish by her Father just by giving him one of her infamous pouts. One look at his sweet daughter's countenance (one that reflected so much of Padme from her facial features to her long, dark hair) and Anakin turned to putty. He used to carry little Leia around on his shoulders, his daughter giggling with delight.
But as Leia got older, she began to reflect more of Padme's influence than Anakin's in her interests. Though she was tough and spirited, Leia showed more interests in intellectual pursuits and politics than she did in light sabers and warrior training. Leia decided not to be trained as a Jedi, and instead began working with Padme as a tutor to her Mother's students and as an aid to Padme's work on the Colonial Council.
Ruwee Skywalker had only begun rudimentary Jedi training, not sure whether or not he wanted to make the commitment to being trained as a Jedi or not. Anakin decided to give his dark haired younger son the time he needed to decide, while he and Luke both taught the youngest Skywalker child basic techniques of controlling his inherited abilities, much like Leia had been taught.
Despite the different interests and paths the children took, they and their parents were still a close knit family. Anakin was an attentive Father who mixed a firm hand with a caring heart as he and his wife raised their children. Padme was a tender and loving Mother, who still straightened Luke's hair like she did when he was little, who would sit and talk girl stuff with Leia, and who would hold Ruwee in her arms while the family gathered for story time. The stories would be told either by Anakin or Padme, of their time as a Jedi and politician respectively. The children would listen in awe at hearing of their parents adventures, even as they got older.
And the love and bond between Anakin and Padme never weakened like it had those years ago, when the dark side loomed to take Anakin from Padme's side. Even in their forties, the two of them acted as young lovers would. Anakin would often sneak up on Padme and grab her by the waist. She would jump with a yelp, then turn and playfully slap Anakin on the shoulder and then they would exchange passionate kisses. Also quite often, one of the children would step in and say "oh, please, get a room." Then, of course, Anakin and Padme would do just that, heading for their bedroom to put some more wear and tear on the bed.
Anakin's meditations on the past were interrupted as he sensed his son come onto the balcony and hastily sit down to meditate. "You're late, my son," said Anakin.
"Sorry," said Luke. "I ran into someone on my way home from the store. Mom sent me to get some things for dinner."
"Hmm," said Anakin. "It wouldn't happen to be that blonde girl who bats her eyes at you and makes you blush, would it?"
"Dad!" said Luke. "Mara and I are just friends."
"Uh-huh," said Anakin. "Then how come you were trying to kiss her the other night."
"How did you know that?" asked Luke.
Anakin smiled. "I'm your Father, and I am a Jedi. I have my ways."
"Excuse me," said the voice of C3PO from behind them. "Mistress Padme asked me to inform you that dinner is ready."
"Thanks, 3PO," said Luke.
Father and son went inside to join the rest of their family at the dinner table.
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi stepped into a Cantina in Mos Eisely space port, surveying the scene before him. The scum of the galaxy gathered hear to make various dealings both of a benign and nefarious in nature. The Jedi Master did not like going into such a wretched hive of scum and villainy, but knew that he needed such a place to find assistance in getting off of Tatooine.
Cautiously, Obi-Wan made his way through the bar, making discreet inquiries as to hiring transportation off of Tatooine. Eventually, he came across a Wookie named Chewbacca, who told Obi-Wan that he and his Captain had a ship and could take them anywhere, provided he could pay.
The Wookie led the Jedi Master over to a table. Waiting there was a dark haired man with roguish features and a blaster holstered on his leg. "Chewie," said the man. "Who's this guy?"
Chewie said something to the man. "A customer, huh," said the man. "Well, mister..."
"My name right now, isn't important," said Obi-Wan. "And you are?"
The man gave the Jedi a sardonic look. "Han Solo, Captain of the Millennium Falcon. So, mister...should I just call you mister?"
"Call me Ben, for now," said Obi-Wan.
"Well, Ben, Chewie tells me you want to hire my ship," said Han with a smirk. "How soon?"
"Immediately," said Obi-Wan. "Time is of the essence."
"I see," said Han. "Well, what's the cargo?"
"Just me," said Obi-Wan.
"And our destination?" asked Han.
"Two stops," said Obi-Wan. "I'll tell you once we leave. Secrecy is essential."
"Uh-huh," said Han. "Well, sounds like you're in trouble. Care to tell me how much?"
"Let's just say I would like to avoid any Imperial entanglements," said Han.
"Well that's it, huh," said Han. "That's the catch. No Imperial entanglements. Its going to cost you plenty."
"How much?" asked Obi-Wan, waiting for the inevitable shoe to drop.
"Ten thousand, all in advance," said Han.
Obi-Wan surveyed the man calmly. "I can pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we get to our second destination."
"Seventeen, huh?" asked Han.
Obi-Wan nodded. "I need to get out of here quickly, and I need to get to my destination quickly as well. Can you do it for the price I have outlined?"
Han considered for a moment before replying. "Alright," said Han. "I can do it. You've hired yourself a ship. But you better not double cross me, old man, or I'll have Chewie here take that money out of your hide."
Obi-Wan gave Han a smirk, thinking how foolish it would be to consider a Wookie to be a threat to a Jedi Master. "Well, shall we go."
"Sure," said Han.
Obi-Wan, Han, and Chewie got up and left the cantina. On their way out, they ran into an alien named Greedo that attempted to stop Han with a blaster pistol.
"Leaving so soon, Solo?" asked Greedo.
"Yes, Greedo, but I'll be back," said Han. "Tell Jabba I've got his money."
"I don't think so, Solo," said Greedo.
"We've no time for this," thought Obi-Wan. He then waved his hand and spoke to Greedo. "You've made a mistake," said Obi-Wan.
Greedo paused, then spoke. "I've made a mistake."
"This isn't the man your looking for," said Obi-Wan.
"He's not the man I'm looking for," said Greedo.
"You need to go away and look elsewhere," said Obi-Wan.
"I need to go away, and look elsewhere," parroted Greedo. The alien holstered his blaster and walked away.
"How the hell did you..." began Han.
"Never mind," said Obi-Wan. "It sounds like I'm not the only one in trouble, eh?"
"Yeah, well...let's get out of here," said Han.
The trio made their way to their ship. They got out of Mos Eisely with no trouble, and reached orbit. Once in space, Han turned to Obi-Wan.
"Alright, Ben, where to?" asked Han.
"The name is Obi-Wan Kenobi," said Obi-Wan. "And our destination is the colony of Lessalia."
"Never heard of it," said Han.
"I have the coordinates," said Obi-Wan, handing them on a data chip to Han.
"Alright," said Han. "Chewie, put these into the flight computer."
Chewbacca took the chip, put it in the terminal, and began punching numbers. "Now would you care to tell me why we're going there?" asked Han.
"I need to seek the help of an old friend," said Obi-Wan.