************************
Chapter Three: Danger Among the Stars
An Imperial shuttle craft came down in the main landing bay of the Death Star. Waiting for the shuttle was Grand Moff Tarkin, one of the Emperor's favorite officers and the one chosen to command the Empire's new battle station. Tarkin was an older officer, who's chest of rank and medals testified to his long and busy carrier as an Imperial officer, and who's demeanor marked someone of formality and panache.
After the shuttle powered down, the main hatch opened up below the craft. Out of the shuttle stepped Darth Hister, the Sith warrior who was the Emperor's right hand agent. Hister wore a black cloak over a similar colored leather body suit, and a hood concealing many of his features. Underneath the hood was greenish-yellow Miralian face, a scar on his right cheek, and eyes that were deep black in color. He had been assigned to assist Grand Moff Tarkin in anything he might need to ensure that the Death Star would become fully operational and ready for combat.
"Hister," greeted Tarkin with a cold voice. "I understand your mission was not entirely successful."
"That is the last time I leave such matters to inferiors," said Hister with a hissing, snakelike voice. "Our troops lost track of the Rebel agent in Mos Eisely. It is likely he hired transportation off of the planet. I have already dealt with the garrison commander on Tatooine for the failure of his forces, and have assigned a new garrison commander to replace his now dead predecessor."
"I see," said Tarkin, as they began to walk away from the shuttle. "So, there is a possibility that the Rebels even now have the plans to this battle station? I am not happy, Hister. Not happy at all." Tarkin's voice did not show overt anger, but it did reflect an inner boiling rage that Tarkin suppressed from coming to the surface to maintain the aura of control.
"Neither was the Emperor," said Hister. "But a factor we did not count on prevented our success in stopping their agent."
"What factor?" asked Tarkin.
"Several storm troopers who found the crash site were eliminated," said Hister. "Their killer used a light saber."
Tarkin looked Hister with a slight hint of astonishment. "That could only mean..."
"A Jedi," said Hister. "Yes."
"That is impossible," said Tarkin, continuing to walk with Hister beside him. "The Jedi are extinct. You and the Emperor saw to that many years ago."
"My master has suspected for some time now that not all of the Jedi are dead," said Hister. "And there was one Jedi we know escaped the purge."
"You speak of Anakin Skywalker," said Tarkin. "I have heard legends about this Jedi since I was a young Republic officer. I am starting to believe he never existed, and is only legend."
"The Emperor knows differently," said Hister. "Skywalker once could have been what I am now, but was turned away from the Emperor's side by a woman."
"Hmm," said Tarkin. "Sounds like a fool."
"But a dangerous one," said Hister. "The Emperor has searched for him for many years, but with no success."
"Well, whether this Jedi who escaped from your grasp is Skywalker or someone else," said Tarkin, "he must be found and eliminated. In the meantime, the Emperor wishes us to test this new battle station, and has told us the target he wishes to be eliminated. We are to set our course for Naboo."
"Excellent," said Hister.
**
The Skywalker family sat around the dinner table as they did every other night. They ate and talked about different things that went on during the day. As dinner began to wind down, Luke decided to breach a subject he had wanted to discuss with his parents.
"You know," said Luke, "a ship from Alderaan passed through here yesterday."
"Yes," said Anakin, "I had to inspect their ship at customs. I understand your friend, Jike Marin, went with them when they left."
"Umm," said Luke. "He is going to join the Rebellion. Which brings up something I wanted to talk about."
Anakin dropped his spoon into his bowl with consternation. "Here we go again," said Anakin.
"Dad, please listen," said Luke.
"Luke, we've..." began Anakin.
"Ani," said Padme. "Let him make his case. At least hear him out."
Anakin looked at Padme's pleading expression, and nodded his assent. "Alright, say what you wish to say."
"Dad, I know that you think my Jedi training still needs to be worked on," said Luke. "I know there are some things I haven't quite mastered yet. But the Rebellion needs pilots, and my Jedi training would be of great use to them."
"Luke, I have tried to keep our family out of any entanglements with the Empire," said Anakin. "Luckily, this planet is so remote that the Empire doesn't even bother with it. We're too far beyond their borders and too small for them even to care. Its not some game the Rebellion is playing with the Empire. Its an armed conflict, a war, and one the Rebellion hasn't much chance of winning."
"But you do believe in their cause, right?" asked Luke.
"Of course I do," said Anakin. "Your Mother and I watched the old Republic crumble before our eyes, and watched as Palpatine made himself Emperor, discarding democracy by the way side in favor of tyranny. There was nothing we could do to stop it, and we had to get away for yours and Leia's sake."
"Luke," said Padme, putting a hand on her son's arm. "I know you feel like you're ready to go off and fight. But, you are still only 17 years old. I would much rather you wait until you are a couple of years older, and have completed your Jedi training."
"It's the same old story from you two, isn't it?" asked Luke. "Mother, when are you going to let me grow up? If you weren't so stubborn..."
"Don't speak to your Mother that way," said Anakin with slight anger. "Just because you disagree is no reason to be disrespectful."
"Mom, Dad," said Leia, cautiously entering the conversation.
"Yes, Princess," said Anakin.
"I think Luke might have a point," said Leia. "I know you two love him and want to protect him, all of us. But...Luke isn't a little boy anymore. And I am not a little girl either. Yet, you sometimes treat us like we're Ruwee's age."
"Hey, what's wrong with my age?" asked Ruwee.
"Nothing, Ruwee," said Leia. "I only mean we are not the same age as you. We're adults."
Padme sighed. "Leia, dear, you are correct. We do tend to be overprotective. But your Father has a point. Luke needs to finish his Jedi training. Then, he can make a decision on what to do. And I will support it."
"As will I," said Anakin. "Reluctantly. But, not until then. My final word on this Luke."
Luke got up from the table. "May I be excused, please?" asked Luke with a hint of irritation.
Anakin nodded. Luke left the room and headed outside. Leia excused herself as well, and took Ruwee into the other room, letting their parents talk.
Padme looked at Anakin, and placed her hand on his arm. "Ani," she said. "We can't keep Luke here forever. He has too much of you in him. He wants the same adventures you lived when you were younger."
"He's still a boy in so many ways," said Anakin. "If only he understood that with the adventure comes danger and the threat of death. Even a Jedi is not immune to those elements."
"I know," said Padme. "I shared some of those dangers with you, remember. But, Luke may have to experience those things for himself to understand. Then, perhaps, he can face them as a man. But if we keep him here, are we really letting him grow up?"
Anakin got up and looked out the window. He gazed up at the stars, remembering how he used to look up at them as a boy living on Tatooine. In those days, he looked up at the stars and saw adventure and wonders beyond belief. Now, he looked up at the stars, and saw the real dangers that existed among them. Was it really so wrong for him to want to keep Luke from them?
Padme came up behind Anakin, and put her arms around his waist. She rested her head against his back, while looking around him out the window. She saw Luke sitting out by a tree, staring up at the same stars Anakin was now gazing at.
"Anakin," said Padme. "Look at him. Tell me what you see."
Anakin gazed at Luke for a long moment, taking in the sight of his son gazing at the stars. He saw what Padme was seeing. Luke was so much like his Father, so much so that it scared Anakin. He loved his son, and didn't want him to be harmed. But, he also knew that a son so much like him could also not be confined to this planet forever.
"I see my son," said Anakin. "I see that I will not be able to keep him here much longer. But I will do so as long as I can. At least until I am sure he is ready with his training as a pilot and as a Jedi to face the dangers that wait for him, and defeat them."
Then, all of a sudden, Anakin felt a tremor in the force. It made him stiffen up and grab the curtain that hung next to the window. Padme pulled back and noticed Anakin was disturbed by something.
"Ani, what is it?" she asked.
Just then, Luke came running into the house. "Father!" called out Luke.
"In here," said Padme.
Luke came into the room and found Anakin in a state of shock, and Padme in a state of concern for him. "Father, I felt something just a few moments ago," said Luke. "Something strange in the force. A presence of some kind."
"I know," said Anakin. "I felt it as well." Then, he smiled at Luke for a moment. "I also complement you, my son, for being able to listen to the force close enough to pick it up."
"But what is it?" asked Luke. "I've never felt it before."
"It's the presence of another, powerful force sensitive," said Anakin. "You've become used to mine, but have never met anyone else with our training."
"Are you saying it could be another Jedi?" asked Luke.
"It is," said Anakin. "And I know who it is."
"Who?" asked Padme.
Just then, they heard a knock at the door. They heard Leia yell "I'll get it." Anakin, Padme, and Luke heard Leia open the door and greet someone. When the man who Leia greeted spoke, Anakin recognized the voice immediately.
Anakin ran to the front door, and was greeted by the sight of an old man with gray hair and a beard, wearing the robes of a Jedi. Though Anakin was confused momentarily by the unfamiliar appearance of the man, as soon as he saw the old man's eyes, Anakin knew who it was.
"Hello, my old friend," said the old man.
Anakin said nothing, but ran into the old man's waiting arms. They hugged each other warmly, and Anakin shed a tear or two at the feeling of being in this man's presence after so many years.
"It can't be..." said Padme from behind them.
Anakin turned, and the old man smiled at her. "Hello, Padme. My, you look as you did when I last saw you so many years ago."
Padme ran up to the old man and kissed him on the cheek, before hugging him herself. Meanwhile, Luke, Leia, and Ruwee just stood there in shock as their parents greeted this man whom they did not know.
"My goodness," said C3PO. "Its Master Kenobi."
R2D2 also bleeped sounds of recognition.
"Kids," said Anakin. "I want you to meet Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Chapter Three: Danger Among the Stars
An Imperial shuttle craft came down in the main landing bay of the Death Star. Waiting for the shuttle was Grand Moff Tarkin, one of the Emperor's favorite officers and the one chosen to command the Empire's new battle station. Tarkin was an older officer, who's chest of rank and medals testified to his long and busy carrier as an Imperial officer, and who's demeanor marked someone of formality and panache.
After the shuttle powered down, the main hatch opened up below the craft. Out of the shuttle stepped Darth Hister, the Sith warrior who was the Emperor's right hand agent. Hister wore a black cloak over a similar colored leather body suit, and a hood concealing many of his features. Underneath the hood was greenish-yellow Miralian face, a scar on his right cheek, and eyes that were deep black in color. He had been assigned to assist Grand Moff Tarkin in anything he might need to ensure that the Death Star would become fully operational and ready for combat.
"Hister," greeted Tarkin with a cold voice. "I understand your mission was not entirely successful."
"That is the last time I leave such matters to inferiors," said Hister with a hissing, snakelike voice. "Our troops lost track of the Rebel agent in Mos Eisely. It is likely he hired transportation off of the planet. I have already dealt with the garrison commander on Tatooine for the failure of his forces, and have assigned a new garrison commander to replace his now dead predecessor."
"I see," said Tarkin, as they began to walk away from the shuttle. "So, there is a possibility that the Rebels even now have the plans to this battle station? I am not happy, Hister. Not happy at all." Tarkin's voice did not show overt anger, but it did reflect an inner boiling rage that Tarkin suppressed from coming to the surface to maintain the aura of control.
"Neither was the Emperor," said Hister. "But a factor we did not count on prevented our success in stopping their agent."
"What factor?" asked Tarkin.
"Several storm troopers who found the crash site were eliminated," said Hister. "Their killer used a light saber."
Tarkin looked Hister with a slight hint of astonishment. "That could only mean..."
"A Jedi," said Hister. "Yes."
"That is impossible," said Tarkin, continuing to walk with Hister beside him. "The Jedi are extinct. You and the Emperor saw to that many years ago."
"My master has suspected for some time now that not all of the Jedi are dead," said Hister. "And there was one Jedi we know escaped the purge."
"You speak of Anakin Skywalker," said Tarkin. "I have heard legends about this Jedi since I was a young Republic officer. I am starting to believe he never existed, and is only legend."
"The Emperor knows differently," said Hister. "Skywalker once could have been what I am now, but was turned away from the Emperor's side by a woman."
"Hmm," said Tarkin. "Sounds like a fool."
"But a dangerous one," said Hister. "The Emperor has searched for him for many years, but with no success."
"Well, whether this Jedi who escaped from your grasp is Skywalker or someone else," said Tarkin, "he must be found and eliminated. In the meantime, the Emperor wishes us to test this new battle station, and has told us the target he wishes to be eliminated. We are to set our course for Naboo."
"Excellent," said Hister.
**
The Skywalker family sat around the dinner table as they did every other night. They ate and talked about different things that went on during the day. As dinner began to wind down, Luke decided to breach a subject he had wanted to discuss with his parents.
"You know," said Luke, "a ship from Alderaan passed through here yesterday."
"Yes," said Anakin, "I had to inspect their ship at customs. I understand your friend, Jike Marin, went with them when they left."
"Umm," said Luke. "He is going to join the Rebellion. Which brings up something I wanted to talk about."
Anakin dropped his spoon into his bowl with consternation. "Here we go again," said Anakin.
"Dad, please listen," said Luke.
"Luke, we've..." began Anakin.
"Ani," said Padme. "Let him make his case. At least hear him out."
Anakin looked at Padme's pleading expression, and nodded his assent. "Alright, say what you wish to say."
"Dad, I know that you think my Jedi training still needs to be worked on," said Luke. "I know there are some things I haven't quite mastered yet. But the Rebellion needs pilots, and my Jedi training would be of great use to them."
"Luke, I have tried to keep our family out of any entanglements with the Empire," said Anakin. "Luckily, this planet is so remote that the Empire doesn't even bother with it. We're too far beyond their borders and too small for them even to care. Its not some game the Rebellion is playing with the Empire. Its an armed conflict, a war, and one the Rebellion hasn't much chance of winning."
"But you do believe in their cause, right?" asked Luke.
"Of course I do," said Anakin. "Your Mother and I watched the old Republic crumble before our eyes, and watched as Palpatine made himself Emperor, discarding democracy by the way side in favor of tyranny. There was nothing we could do to stop it, and we had to get away for yours and Leia's sake."
"Luke," said Padme, putting a hand on her son's arm. "I know you feel like you're ready to go off and fight. But, you are still only 17 years old. I would much rather you wait until you are a couple of years older, and have completed your Jedi training."
"It's the same old story from you two, isn't it?" asked Luke. "Mother, when are you going to let me grow up? If you weren't so stubborn..."
"Don't speak to your Mother that way," said Anakin with slight anger. "Just because you disagree is no reason to be disrespectful."
"Mom, Dad," said Leia, cautiously entering the conversation.
"Yes, Princess," said Anakin.
"I think Luke might have a point," said Leia. "I know you two love him and want to protect him, all of us. But...Luke isn't a little boy anymore. And I am not a little girl either. Yet, you sometimes treat us like we're Ruwee's age."
"Hey, what's wrong with my age?" asked Ruwee.
"Nothing, Ruwee," said Leia. "I only mean we are not the same age as you. We're adults."
Padme sighed. "Leia, dear, you are correct. We do tend to be overprotective. But your Father has a point. Luke needs to finish his Jedi training. Then, he can make a decision on what to do. And I will support it."
"As will I," said Anakin. "Reluctantly. But, not until then. My final word on this Luke."
Luke got up from the table. "May I be excused, please?" asked Luke with a hint of irritation.
Anakin nodded. Luke left the room and headed outside. Leia excused herself as well, and took Ruwee into the other room, letting their parents talk.
Padme looked at Anakin, and placed her hand on his arm. "Ani," she said. "We can't keep Luke here forever. He has too much of you in him. He wants the same adventures you lived when you were younger."
"He's still a boy in so many ways," said Anakin. "If only he understood that with the adventure comes danger and the threat of death. Even a Jedi is not immune to those elements."
"I know," said Padme. "I shared some of those dangers with you, remember. But, Luke may have to experience those things for himself to understand. Then, perhaps, he can face them as a man. But if we keep him here, are we really letting him grow up?"
Anakin got up and looked out the window. He gazed up at the stars, remembering how he used to look up at them as a boy living on Tatooine. In those days, he looked up at the stars and saw adventure and wonders beyond belief. Now, he looked up at the stars, and saw the real dangers that existed among them. Was it really so wrong for him to want to keep Luke from them?
Padme came up behind Anakin, and put her arms around his waist. She rested her head against his back, while looking around him out the window. She saw Luke sitting out by a tree, staring up at the same stars Anakin was now gazing at.
"Anakin," said Padme. "Look at him. Tell me what you see."
Anakin gazed at Luke for a long moment, taking in the sight of his son gazing at the stars. He saw what Padme was seeing. Luke was so much like his Father, so much so that it scared Anakin. He loved his son, and didn't want him to be harmed. But, he also knew that a son so much like him could also not be confined to this planet forever.
"I see my son," said Anakin. "I see that I will not be able to keep him here much longer. But I will do so as long as I can. At least until I am sure he is ready with his training as a pilot and as a Jedi to face the dangers that wait for him, and defeat them."
Then, all of a sudden, Anakin felt a tremor in the force. It made him stiffen up and grab the curtain that hung next to the window. Padme pulled back and noticed Anakin was disturbed by something.
"Ani, what is it?" she asked.
Just then, Luke came running into the house. "Father!" called out Luke.
"In here," said Padme.
Luke came into the room and found Anakin in a state of shock, and Padme in a state of concern for him. "Father, I felt something just a few moments ago," said Luke. "Something strange in the force. A presence of some kind."
"I know," said Anakin. "I felt it as well." Then, he smiled at Luke for a moment. "I also complement you, my son, for being able to listen to the force close enough to pick it up."
"But what is it?" asked Luke. "I've never felt it before."
"It's the presence of another, powerful force sensitive," said Anakin. "You've become used to mine, but have never met anyone else with our training."
"Are you saying it could be another Jedi?" asked Luke.
"It is," said Anakin. "And I know who it is."
"Who?" asked Padme.
Just then, they heard a knock at the door. They heard Leia yell "I'll get it." Anakin, Padme, and Luke heard Leia open the door and greet someone. When the man who Leia greeted spoke, Anakin recognized the voice immediately.
Anakin ran to the front door, and was greeted by the sight of an old man with gray hair and a beard, wearing the robes of a Jedi. Though Anakin was confused momentarily by the unfamiliar appearance of the man, as soon as he saw the old man's eyes, Anakin knew who it was.
"Hello, my old friend," said the old man.
Anakin said nothing, but ran into the old man's waiting arms. They hugged each other warmly, and Anakin shed a tear or two at the feeling of being in this man's presence after so many years.
"It can't be..." said Padme from behind them.
Anakin turned, and the old man smiled at her. "Hello, Padme. My, you look as you did when I last saw you so many years ago."
Padme ran up to the old man and kissed him on the cheek, before hugging him herself. Meanwhile, Luke, Leia, and Ruwee just stood there in shock as their parents greeted this man whom they did not know.
"My goodness," said C3PO. "Its Master Kenobi."
R2D2 also bleeped sounds of recognition.
"Kids," said Anakin. "I want you to meet Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi."