***********************
Chapter Five: A Call to Arms
Grand Moff Tarkin surveyed the scant remains of what used to be the planet of Naboo before the Death Star destroyed it. Now, all that remained of the once beautiful world were chunks of asteroid debris. Tarkin was never one to show much emotion outwardly, but he smiled to himself on the inside as he viewed the image on the control room viewing screen.
"This station has proven its power today," thought Tarkin. "Let any world in the galaxy dare challenge the Empire now."
Darth Hister approached Tarkin. The Grand Moff turned to recognized the Sith Lord. "Well, Hister, what do you think of our new weapon?"
"This technological terror does not impress me as much as you," said Hister. "The ability to destroy a planet pales in comparison to the power of the force. But, I will concede the effectiveness of possessing such a weapon. And so to does the Emperor. I have just communicated with him, per your instructions, informing him of our success."
"Very good," said Tarkin. Inwardly, he thought. "OUR success. I was the one who oversaw this battle stations construction and now command it. OUR success, my ass."
Tarkin turned back to the view screen, and again saw the Death Star's handiwork. The name Naboo could be used as a tool of fear now throughout the galaxy. All those who dare challenge the Empire shall now share the fate of the once proud Naboo, planet and people.
**
Anakin, Padme, and their children all waited in the main room of their home on Lessalia for Obi-Wan to return from his ship. All of the force sensitives of the household were still a bit shaken by the disturbance they felt in the force not long ago. Obi-Wan went to his ship to open a secure comm to his Rebellion contacts, to see if he could find out what happened.
"I hope the Empire can't track his signal," said Anakin.
"Obi-Wan will be careful," said Padme.
"Father," said Leia, "now that its apparent that the Death Star has been used, will you be going with Master Obi-Wan?"
"We don't know anything for sure yet, Princess," said Anakin to his daughter. "We shall wait for Obi-Wan to return, then figure out what to do from there."
"But you are considering going now, aren't you?" asked Luke.
Anakin looked at his son, and considered before replying. He decided to be truthful. "Yes, I am. At least, more than I was when Obi-Wan first asked me."
"Then you must take me with you," said Luke.
"My son, don't rush things," said Anakin. "I didn't say I was going. I just said..."
The door to the Skywalker house opened, and in stepped Obi-Wan. The old Jedi held a grave expression on his face, one that Anakin did not like the look of. When he knew Obi-Wan all those years ago, Anakin had seen him stern, upset, sad, happy, even jovial at times. But never had Anakin seen such a grave expression on his former Master's face.
"What is it, Obi-Wan?" asked Anakin, rising to approach his former Master with concern.
Obi-Wan looked at Anakin with sad eyes, as if he were the bearer of some terrible truth that he did not want to reveal. Anakin waited for Obi-Wan to speak, but Padme was more impatient.
"Obi-Wan," said Padme, rising from the couch, "has the Death Star been used? Was that what you felt in the force?"
Obi-Wan wouldn't look at Padme. He kept his eyes focused on Anakin. "Yes," said Obi-Wan.
"Oh, no," said Leia. "What planet?"
Obi-Wan did not speak a word. He slowly turned and looked at Padme. The old Jedi said nothing, but his stare bore straight into Padme's eyes. It was as if Obi-Wan wished to somehow wordlessly communicate what he felt too weak to say in words.
Padme returned his gaze, wondering at first why Obi-Wan was looking at her that way. It took her a few moments of exchanged stares between them before the truth of Obi-Wan's expression hit her like a blast of pain that sent her falling back onto the couch. Her mouth began to quiver, and she began to shake all over with emotion. Padme's breath became labored, and her face turned pale.
"No," she said quietly. Tears began falling from her eyes. Padme's children all looked at her with something akin to fear, not having ever seen their Mother this way. Anakin looked at Padme with deep concern as well, and immediately rushed to her side, sitting next to her on the couch.
"Not..." began Padme with a sob. "No...it can't...not..."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Naboo," he said.
It was all he had to say. That one word. That one name of that world that Padme was born and raised on, the world she served and loved. The people she knew and adored. That world was the one destroyed.
Immediately after hearing the word "Naboo", Padme wailed in pain, and collapsed into Anakin's waiting arms. Her body was wracked with sobs as she screamed and cried in anguish. Anakin just held her tightly to him, tears falling from his eyes as well both for his wife's grief and pain, and for his own. He had loved Naboo as well. Besides the fact that it had been the home of the love of his life, Naboo had also been the planet where their love had blossomed. It was the one place in the universe other than Lassalia where Anakin felt completely serene and at home. He didn't even have those feelings for his own home world of Tatooine. And now, the Empire had taken that from him, and more importantly to him, Naboo's destruction had been a stab into his beautiful Padme's heart.
Luke and Leia, after overcoming their initial shock, also rushed to their Mother's side. Leia knelt in front of Padme, putting her arms around her Mother, as Luke did the same from the side of his Mother opposite of his Father. Ruwee didn't understand exactly what was going on, only that his Mother was in pain. He just stood there in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do, as he watched his Mother, Father, brother, and sister cling to each other, searching for some kind of comfort.
Obi-Wan walked over to the youngest of the Skywalker children, knelt beside the boy, and put his arm around Ruwee. "Its alright, young Skywalker," said Obi-Wan. "There is no need to be afraid."
Leia turned to Ruwee, hearing Obi-Wan's concern for her little brother. "Come here, Ruwee, its okay."
Padme also briefly came out of her grief to make sure her son was alright. "Come, Ruwee, baby, its alright."
Ruwee joined his family in the group in embrace, his Mother's arms wrapped around him. Obi-Wan stood there and watched them, feeling some kind of guilt, as if he were the cause of the pain this little family was now feeling.
***
Later that night, Obi-Wan stood in the silent household of the Skywalker family, staring out a window at the stars. He could not sleep, thinking about the beautiful world of Naboo, and the race of people who inhabited that world. Both were now gone from the universe. It was a crime against life itself, one that Obi-Wan would never forgive or forget. He wondered if there was any limit at all to Palpatine's evil.
Footsteps came up behind Obi-Wan. The old Jedi Master did not need to turn to know it was his former Padawan who was coming to him.
"I think Padme's finally asleep," said Anakin. "She cried for two hours in my arms before she finally fell asleep."
"I'm sorry, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "I somehow feel this is my fault."
"No," said Anakin. "This isn't your fault. Its Palpatine's. He did this. He destroyed that beautiful planet, and took Padme's world away from her."
"She had family left on Naboo, didn't she?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Yes," said Anakin. "She did. We kept in intermittent contact with her parents, her sister Sola and her family. Though, to her, the entire race of people on Naboo were her family."
Anakin stood next to Obi-Wan and looked out the window. The latter turned to the former, and saw the anger on the younger man's face.
"By what right does Palpatine wield so much power over life and death?" asked Anakin with quiet fury. "That old bag of bones sits on his throne and orders the death of a whole race of people, the destruction of a whole planet! He has NO RIGHT! No right to bring so much death and pain to innocent people! He has no right....no right to inflict so much pain on Padme!"
"Anakin..." began Obi-Wan with concern.
"My wife," said Anakin, not facing Obi-Wan. "She cried for two WHOLE HOURS! Hours of pain and misery which she'll probably never get over! Palpatine might as well have plunged a knife into her chest for all of the pain he caused her! I won't HAVE IT! I won't have that bastard continuing to inflict pain on the universe like he has done to my wife! You were right, Obi-Wan. I have been cowering here light a child, while Palpatine's evil grew! Well, no longer. Its time I got up off of my ass and did something! I will go with you to the Rebellion! I will stop Palpatine! Its time to fulfill my destiny!"
Obi-Wan laid a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "We'll stop him, together," said Obi-Wan.
"Yes," said another voice from the darkness. The two men turned and saw Padme come out of the darkness and into the light from the window. Her face reflected the pain and tears she had been suffering, but it also showed a glare of determination. "Together."
Chapter Five: A Call to Arms
Grand Moff Tarkin surveyed the scant remains of what used to be the planet of Naboo before the Death Star destroyed it. Now, all that remained of the once beautiful world were chunks of asteroid debris. Tarkin was never one to show much emotion outwardly, but he smiled to himself on the inside as he viewed the image on the control room viewing screen.
"This station has proven its power today," thought Tarkin. "Let any world in the galaxy dare challenge the Empire now."
Darth Hister approached Tarkin. The Grand Moff turned to recognized the Sith Lord. "Well, Hister, what do you think of our new weapon?"
"This technological terror does not impress me as much as you," said Hister. "The ability to destroy a planet pales in comparison to the power of the force. But, I will concede the effectiveness of possessing such a weapon. And so to does the Emperor. I have just communicated with him, per your instructions, informing him of our success."
"Very good," said Tarkin. Inwardly, he thought. "OUR success. I was the one who oversaw this battle stations construction and now command it. OUR success, my ass."
Tarkin turned back to the view screen, and again saw the Death Star's handiwork. The name Naboo could be used as a tool of fear now throughout the galaxy. All those who dare challenge the Empire shall now share the fate of the once proud Naboo, planet and people.
**
Anakin, Padme, and their children all waited in the main room of their home on Lessalia for Obi-Wan to return from his ship. All of the force sensitives of the household were still a bit shaken by the disturbance they felt in the force not long ago. Obi-Wan went to his ship to open a secure comm to his Rebellion contacts, to see if he could find out what happened.
"I hope the Empire can't track his signal," said Anakin.
"Obi-Wan will be careful," said Padme.
"Father," said Leia, "now that its apparent that the Death Star has been used, will you be going with Master Obi-Wan?"
"We don't know anything for sure yet, Princess," said Anakin to his daughter. "We shall wait for Obi-Wan to return, then figure out what to do from there."
"But you are considering going now, aren't you?" asked Luke.
Anakin looked at his son, and considered before replying. He decided to be truthful. "Yes, I am. At least, more than I was when Obi-Wan first asked me."
"Then you must take me with you," said Luke.
"My son, don't rush things," said Anakin. "I didn't say I was going. I just said..."
The door to the Skywalker house opened, and in stepped Obi-Wan. The old Jedi held a grave expression on his face, one that Anakin did not like the look of. When he knew Obi-Wan all those years ago, Anakin had seen him stern, upset, sad, happy, even jovial at times. But never had Anakin seen such a grave expression on his former Master's face.
"What is it, Obi-Wan?" asked Anakin, rising to approach his former Master with concern.
Obi-Wan looked at Anakin with sad eyes, as if he were the bearer of some terrible truth that he did not want to reveal. Anakin waited for Obi-Wan to speak, but Padme was more impatient.
"Obi-Wan," said Padme, rising from the couch, "has the Death Star been used? Was that what you felt in the force?"
Obi-Wan wouldn't look at Padme. He kept his eyes focused on Anakin. "Yes," said Obi-Wan.
"Oh, no," said Leia. "What planet?"
Obi-Wan did not speak a word. He slowly turned and looked at Padme. The old Jedi said nothing, but his stare bore straight into Padme's eyes. It was as if Obi-Wan wished to somehow wordlessly communicate what he felt too weak to say in words.
Padme returned his gaze, wondering at first why Obi-Wan was looking at her that way. It took her a few moments of exchanged stares between them before the truth of Obi-Wan's expression hit her like a blast of pain that sent her falling back onto the couch. Her mouth began to quiver, and she began to shake all over with emotion. Padme's breath became labored, and her face turned pale.
"No," she said quietly. Tears began falling from her eyes. Padme's children all looked at her with something akin to fear, not having ever seen their Mother this way. Anakin looked at Padme with deep concern as well, and immediately rushed to her side, sitting next to her on the couch.
"Not..." began Padme with a sob. "No...it can't...not..."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Naboo," he said.
It was all he had to say. That one word. That one name of that world that Padme was born and raised on, the world she served and loved. The people she knew and adored. That world was the one destroyed.
Immediately after hearing the word "Naboo", Padme wailed in pain, and collapsed into Anakin's waiting arms. Her body was wracked with sobs as she screamed and cried in anguish. Anakin just held her tightly to him, tears falling from his eyes as well both for his wife's grief and pain, and for his own. He had loved Naboo as well. Besides the fact that it had been the home of the love of his life, Naboo had also been the planet where their love had blossomed. It was the one place in the universe other than Lassalia where Anakin felt completely serene and at home. He didn't even have those feelings for his own home world of Tatooine. And now, the Empire had taken that from him, and more importantly to him, Naboo's destruction had been a stab into his beautiful Padme's heart.
Luke and Leia, after overcoming their initial shock, also rushed to their Mother's side. Leia knelt in front of Padme, putting her arms around her Mother, as Luke did the same from the side of his Mother opposite of his Father. Ruwee didn't understand exactly what was going on, only that his Mother was in pain. He just stood there in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do, as he watched his Mother, Father, brother, and sister cling to each other, searching for some kind of comfort.
Obi-Wan walked over to the youngest of the Skywalker children, knelt beside the boy, and put his arm around Ruwee. "Its alright, young Skywalker," said Obi-Wan. "There is no need to be afraid."
Leia turned to Ruwee, hearing Obi-Wan's concern for her little brother. "Come here, Ruwee, its okay."
Padme also briefly came out of her grief to make sure her son was alright. "Come, Ruwee, baby, its alright."
Ruwee joined his family in the group in embrace, his Mother's arms wrapped around him. Obi-Wan stood there and watched them, feeling some kind of guilt, as if he were the cause of the pain this little family was now feeling.
***
Later that night, Obi-Wan stood in the silent household of the Skywalker family, staring out a window at the stars. He could not sleep, thinking about the beautiful world of Naboo, and the race of people who inhabited that world. Both were now gone from the universe. It was a crime against life itself, one that Obi-Wan would never forgive or forget. He wondered if there was any limit at all to Palpatine's evil.
Footsteps came up behind Obi-Wan. The old Jedi Master did not need to turn to know it was his former Padawan who was coming to him.
"I think Padme's finally asleep," said Anakin. "She cried for two hours in my arms before she finally fell asleep."
"I'm sorry, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "I somehow feel this is my fault."
"No," said Anakin. "This isn't your fault. Its Palpatine's. He did this. He destroyed that beautiful planet, and took Padme's world away from her."
"She had family left on Naboo, didn't she?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Yes," said Anakin. "She did. We kept in intermittent contact with her parents, her sister Sola and her family. Though, to her, the entire race of people on Naboo were her family."
Anakin stood next to Obi-Wan and looked out the window. The latter turned to the former, and saw the anger on the younger man's face.
"By what right does Palpatine wield so much power over life and death?" asked Anakin with quiet fury. "That old bag of bones sits on his throne and orders the death of a whole race of people, the destruction of a whole planet! He has NO RIGHT! No right to bring so much death and pain to innocent people! He has no right....no right to inflict so much pain on Padme!"
"Anakin..." began Obi-Wan with concern.
"My wife," said Anakin, not facing Obi-Wan. "She cried for two WHOLE HOURS! Hours of pain and misery which she'll probably never get over! Palpatine might as well have plunged a knife into her chest for all of the pain he caused her! I won't HAVE IT! I won't have that bastard continuing to inflict pain on the universe like he has done to my wife! You were right, Obi-Wan. I have been cowering here light a child, while Palpatine's evil grew! Well, no longer. Its time I got up off of my ass and did something! I will go with you to the Rebellion! I will stop Palpatine! Its time to fulfill my destiny!"
Obi-Wan laid a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "We'll stop him, together," said Obi-Wan.
"Yes," said another voice from the darkness. The two men turned and saw Padme come out of the darkness and into the light from the window. Her face reflected the pain and tears she had been suffering, but it also showed a glare of determination. "Together."