**************************
Chapter Six: Leaving Home
"Father, you are not being reasonable," said Luke.
"I agree with Luke," said Leia. "You have to let us come with you!"
"NO!" said Anakin. "Its too dangerous. I'm going off to fight a war, and confront perhaps the most powerful source of evil in the universe. I am not taking my children along with me!"
"Dad, we're not children anymore!" said Leia. "We have just as much stake in this fight as you do! The Empire can threaten all of us now! Who's to say they will never come here?"
"I have to go with you, Dad," said Luke. "I am your Padawan learner. Where you go, I go!"
"As my Padawan learner, you will obey my wishes," said Anakin.
"Dad, either I go with you, or I go on my own after you leave," said Luke.
"You wouldn't..." began Anakin.
Luke didn't say a word. He simply looked his Father straight in the eye, his expression never wavering. As Anakin saw it, he thought of two things. One was the fact of how stubborn he was at Luke's age. The other was the fact Luke looked exactly like Padme does when her mind is made up. It was then Anakin knew Luke would make good on his threat.
"Very well," said Anakin. "I suppose if you're going to go anyway, you will go with me. But as my Padawan, you will follow my lead. Clear?"
"Yes, Master," said Luke, bowing slightly, with a smile of success on his face.
"Leia, you will stay," said Anakin.
"Hang on a minute," said Leia. "If Luke get's to go, so do I!"
"Leia, you aren't a trained Jedi, remember," said Anakin.
"So, I can handle a blaster," countered Leia. "You and Mom taught me that. And I have the Skywalker determination, same as you or Luke or Mom. Hell, Mom isn't a trained Jedi either, doesn't even have the force powers I do. Yet, your letting her go."
"Actually, I was having second thoughts about that," said Anakin.
"What did you just say?" asked a woman's voice.
Anakin, Luke, and Leia turned to see Padme come into the room. Anakin noticed immediately that his wife was wearing an old, white Naboo utility and battle jump suit, commonly issued to Naboo officials for field excursions. It was similar to the one she wore at the Battle of Geonosis, but that one had to be replaced after being damaged in battle. On her arms were metallic armbands signifying Naboo political service. Holstered on her right hip was a standard issue Naboo blaster pistol. Covering Padme's shoulders was a white, wool shawl.
Padme's husband looked at her in stunned silence for a moment before speaking. "I haven't seen you in that for a long time. I didn't know it still fit you."
Normally, Padme would have asked Anakin jokingly whether he was implying she had gotten fat in her old age. She was certainly not fat, but she didn't have the body of a twenty year old anymore either. But what struck Anakin the most was just how little difference there was in her beauty from the time her first saw her in that outfit twenty years ago to the present day.
"The fabric is made to expand to fit the wearer," said Padme. "Now, don't change the subject. What was that crap about me not going along?"
Anakin walked over to Padme and put his hands on his wife's shoulders. "Padme, I was merely concerned. I mean, someone has to stay with Ruwee..."
"He can stay with the Locknars," said Padme. "They're like his aunt and uncle to him anyway. He'll be well cared for."
"But what if we were to both..." Anakin began.
"I will not stay here while you go off to fight in a war," said Padme. "I did that before when you were running off on missions for the Jedi. I won't do that again. And this time, its even more my fight than yours. I don't like leaving Ruwee, but he will be well cared for."
"Padme..." began Anakin again.
Padme held up her right hand. "Anakin, if we are one, we drink of the same cup."
Anakin was going to say more, but knew it was fruitless. He smiled. "I should have learned long ago it was useless to argue with you when your mind was made up."
Padme smiled at him, and kissed him on the cheek. "Its never too late to learn," she said. "And Leia will be coming with us. She has a right to."
"Dad," said Leia, "after all-the safest place in the universe would be with you."
Anakin looked at his lovely daughter with another smile. "Alright, Princess, join the party. Its time to pack now, everyone. We need to meet Obi-Wan at this ship he has hired within an hour."
**
An hour later, the older Skywalkers said goodbye to the youngest of their family, Ruwee. They left him with Ella and Gaya Locknar, friends of theirs that the Skywalkers had known since coming to Lessalia. Anakin, Padme, Luke, and Leia all hugged young Ruwee goodbye. Padme took the longest, only reluctantly and tearfully releasing her son from her arms. Ruwee also hugged R2D2 and C3PO goodbye, the latter patting the boy on the head, and R2 bleeping slightly mournful sounds.
After leaving Ruwee with the Locknars, the four Skywalkers and their droids made their way to the ship Obi-Wan had hired, the Millennium Falcon. When they got to where the ship was parked in Lessalia's small spaceport, the four of them couldn't help but stare at the funny looking ship.
Finally, Luke voiced what the four of them were thinking. "What a piece of junk," he said. R2D2 bleeped in apparent agreement.
"Hey," said a man's voice from under the ship. "She'll make point five past lightspead. The old girl may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts. And who are you anyway?"
"I'm Anakin Skywalker, this is my wife, Padme, my son, Luke, and daughter Leia."
"Han Solo, Captain of the Millennium Falcon," said the man. He walked over to Luke. "So, any other smart remarks about my ship?"
"No, um, sorry," said Luke.
"I was told by the old man to expect you," said Han. "Go ahead and get onboard, and we'll get off of this rock."
"Thank you," said Padme diplomatically, having to hold back her tongue from lashing Solo about referring to their home as a rock.
The Skywalkers boarded the ship with their baggage, followed soon after by Han Solo. Padme, Leia, and the droids sat in the lounge room of the ship and strapped in, while Anakin and Luke went to the cockpit. They were greeted by a Wookie who yelled in challenge to them at first.
"Easy, Chewbacca," said Obi-Wan, who was also in the cockpit. "These are my friends, Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Gentlemen, meet Chewbacca."
Chewie growled one more time. Anakin and Luke merely nodded.
"So, I would imagine Padme and Leia are in the back," said Obi-Wan.
"Yes," said Anakin with some consternation.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "You never could win an argument with Padme," he said. "And it seems Leia has inherited her Mother's persuasiveness."
"Okay, tours over," said Han, coming into the cockpit, taking a seat in the pilot's chair. "Time to lift off, so go strap yourselves in."
The passengers all went to the back lounge to strap in, while Han and Chewie prepared the ship for takeoff. Chewie moaned something to Han.
"Yeah, I know, more Jedi, looks like," he said. "Not that I believe in that stuff, mind you. They are just kind of...creepy. But, at least there's a pretty girl with them."
Chewie said something else.
"No, she's not a Jedi," said Han. "At least, I don't think so. But she does look like the uppity type. Anyhow, you can meet her and her Mother later. For now, let's get going."
***
Later, as the Millennium Falcon streaked through space, the occupants of the ship went off in different directions. Padme decided to lay down and take a nap after not getting much sleep the previous night. Leia decided to take a walk around the ship, while Anakin, Luke, and Obi-Wan, did what she referred to as "Jedi stuff."
Leia roamed through the halls of the Millennium Falcon with no particular destination in mind. As she rounded a corner, Leia ran straight into Chewbacca. The wookie growled at her with consternation, but Leia showed no fear.
"Don't you growl at me," said Leia. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"
"Having a problem there, missy," said Han, coming up from behind Chewie.
Leia turned to him. "Yeah," she said, "can you keep this walking carpet from stumbling into me?"
"Looks like you stumbled into him," said Han. "And this is his home, Princess. That is what your Daddy calls you, isn't it?"
"My Father does, yes," said Leia. "But you are not my Father, so you don't call me that. And I was raised to treat guests with more courtesy."
Han put up his hands. "Well, excuse me, your royal highness," he said. "Us space bums will just go about our business and not taint your presence any longer. Come on, Chewie."
Han and Chewbacca walked off towards the ship's lounge, while Leia was left in the hallway fuming. "Argh, what an irritating man," she said to herself. Then, silently, she thought to herself. "Even though he is kind of cute."
****
Luke and Obi-Wan were in the lounge, practicing light saber combat. Anakin watched in admiration of his son, as he matched Obi-Wan's more experienced moves pretty well. They were handling practice sabers Anakin had brought along, so there was really no danger of injury. It also allowed Obi-Wan to really test young Luke's skills.
Han walked into the room with Chewie. The latter sat down at table next to Anakin, while Han sat at a console across the room. "Well, we should be at Solast in about 36 hours," he said. "From there, it will be another 14 hours to the Yavin system."
No one replied to his statement. Obi-Wan and Luke were too busy in mock combat, and Anakin was too busy studying them. Chewie was even a little captivated by watching the two Jedi engage in mock battle.
"Well, don't everyone thank me at once," said Han. "Besides, what are you two doing practicing with those ancient weapons anyway?"
"What's the matter," asked Anakin. "Don't you believe in the force?"
"Well, I'll tell ya something, Skywalker," said Han, "I've been from one end of this galaxy to the other, seen a lot of strange things, but nothing that would make me believe in this all powerful force of yours. I control my own destiny. The rest is a bunch of kiddy magic tricks."
Han reached over for his drink, only to have it lift off of the table by itself and begin to float across the room. Han watched in stunned silence as it flew across the lounge and into Anakin's waiting hands.
Luke and Obi-Wan stopped their mock combat to watch the scene unfold. Anakin smiled at Han, and then held up the drink. "You want this back, now, Captain Solo?" he asked.
Han nodded quietly. Anakin then sent it back across the room and it landed softly in Han's outstretched hand. Luke chuckled at the look on Han's face, while Obi-Wan merely shook his head at Anakin.
"You always were a show off," said Obi-Wan.
Chapter Six: Leaving Home
"Father, you are not being reasonable," said Luke.
"I agree with Luke," said Leia. "You have to let us come with you!"
"NO!" said Anakin. "Its too dangerous. I'm going off to fight a war, and confront perhaps the most powerful source of evil in the universe. I am not taking my children along with me!"
"Dad, we're not children anymore!" said Leia. "We have just as much stake in this fight as you do! The Empire can threaten all of us now! Who's to say they will never come here?"
"I have to go with you, Dad," said Luke. "I am your Padawan learner. Where you go, I go!"
"As my Padawan learner, you will obey my wishes," said Anakin.
"Dad, either I go with you, or I go on my own after you leave," said Luke.
"You wouldn't..." began Anakin.
Luke didn't say a word. He simply looked his Father straight in the eye, his expression never wavering. As Anakin saw it, he thought of two things. One was the fact of how stubborn he was at Luke's age. The other was the fact Luke looked exactly like Padme does when her mind is made up. It was then Anakin knew Luke would make good on his threat.
"Very well," said Anakin. "I suppose if you're going to go anyway, you will go with me. But as my Padawan, you will follow my lead. Clear?"
"Yes, Master," said Luke, bowing slightly, with a smile of success on his face.
"Leia, you will stay," said Anakin.
"Hang on a minute," said Leia. "If Luke get's to go, so do I!"
"Leia, you aren't a trained Jedi, remember," said Anakin.
"So, I can handle a blaster," countered Leia. "You and Mom taught me that. And I have the Skywalker determination, same as you or Luke or Mom. Hell, Mom isn't a trained Jedi either, doesn't even have the force powers I do. Yet, your letting her go."
"Actually, I was having second thoughts about that," said Anakin.
"What did you just say?" asked a woman's voice.
Anakin, Luke, and Leia turned to see Padme come into the room. Anakin noticed immediately that his wife was wearing an old, white Naboo utility and battle jump suit, commonly issued to Naboo officials for field excursions. It was similar to the one she wore at the Battle of Geonosis, but that one had to be replaced after being damaged in battle. On her arms were metallic armbands signifying Naboo political service. Holstered on her right hip was a standard issue Naboo blaster pistol. Covering Padme's shoulders was a white, wool shawl.
Padme's husband looked at her in stunned silence for a moment before speaking. "I haven't seen you in that for a long time. I didn't know it still fit you."
Normally, Padme would have asked Anakin jokingly whether he was implying she had gotten fat in her old age. She was certainly not fat, but she didn't have the body of a twenty year old anymore either. But what struck Anakin the most was just how little difference there was in her beauty from the time her first saw her in that outfit twenty years ago to the present day.
"The fabric is made to expand to fit the wearer," said Padme. "Now, don't change the subject. What was that crap about me not going along?"
Anakin walked over to Padme and put his hands on his wife's shoulders. "Padme, I was merely concerned. I mean, someone has to stay with Ruwee..."
"He can stay with the Locknars," said Padme. "They're like his aunt and uncle to him anyway. He'll be well cared for."
"But what if we were to both..." Anakin began.
"I will not stay here while you go off to fight in a war," said Padme. "I did that before when you were running off on missions for the Jedi. I won't do that again. And this time, its even more my fight than yours. I don't like leaving Ruwee, but he will be well cared for."
"Padme..." began Anakin again.
Padme held up her right hand. "Anakin, if we are one, we drink of the same cup."
Anakin was going to say more, but knew it was fruitless. He smiled. "I should have learned long ago it was useless to argue with you when your mind was made up."
Padme smiled at him, and kissed him on the cheek. "Its never too late to learn," she said. "And Leia will be coming with us. She has a right to."
"Dad," said Leia, "after all-the safest place in the universe would be with you."
Anakin looked at his lovely daughter with another smile. "Alright, Princess, join the party. Its time to pack now, everyone. We need to meet Obi-Wan at this ship he has hired within an hour."
**
An hour later, the older Skywalkers said goodbye to the youngest of their family, Ruwee. They left him with Ella and Gaya Locknar, friends of theirs that the Skywalkers had known since coming to Lessalia. Anakin, Padme, Luke, and Leia all hugged young Ruwee goodbye. Padme took the longest, only reluctantly and tearfully releasing her son from her arms. Ruwee also hugged R2D2 and C3PO goodbye, the latter patting the boy on the head, and R2 bleeping slightly mournful sounds.
After leaving Ruwee with the Locknars, the four Skywalkers and their droids made their way to the ship Obi-Wan had hired, the Millennium Falcon. When they got to where the ship was parked in Lessalia's small spaceport, the four of them couldn't help but stare at the funny looking ship.
Finally, Luke voiced what the four of them were thinking. "What a piece of junk," he said. R2D2 bleeped in apparent agreement.
"Hey," said a man's voice from under the ship. "She'll make point five past lightspead. The old girl may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts. And who are you anyway?"
"I'm Anakin Skywalker, this is my wife, Padme, my son, Luke, and daughter Leia."
"Han Solo, Captain of the Millennium Falcon," said the man. He walked over to Luke. "So, any other smart remarks about my ship?"
"No, um, sorry," said Luke.
"I was told by the old man to expect you," said Han. "Go ahead and get onboard, and we'll get off of this rock."
"Thank you," said Padme diplomatically, having to hold back her tongue from lashing Solo about referring to their home as a rock.
The Skywalkers boarded the ship with their baggage, followed soon after by Han Solo. Padme, Leia, and the droids sat in the lounge room of the ship and strapped in, while Anakin and Luke went to the cockpit. They were greeted by a Wookie who yelled in challenge to them at first.
"Easy, Chewbacca," said Obi-Wan, who was also in the cockpit. "These are my friends, Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Gentlemen, meet Chewbacca."
Chewie growled one more time. Anakin and Luke merely nodded.
"So, I would imagine Padme and Leia are in the back," said Obi-Wan.
"Yes," said Anakin with some consternation.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "You never could win an argument with Padme," he said. "And it seems Leia has inherited her Mother's persuasiveness."
"Okay, tours over," said Han, coming into the cockpit, taking a seat in the pilot's chair. "Time to lift off, so go strap yourselves in."
The passengers all went to the back lounge to strap in, while Han and Chewie prepared the ship for takeoff. Chewie moaned something to Han.
"Yeah, I know, more Jedi, looks like," he said. "Not that I believe in that stuff, mind you. They are just kind of...creepy. But, at least there's a pretty girl with them."
Chewie said something else.
"No, she's not a Jedi," said Han. "At least, I don't think so. But she does look like the uppity type. Anyhow, you can meet her and her Mother later. For now, let's get going."
***
Later, as the Millennium Falcon streaked through space, the occupants of the ship went off in different directions. Padme decided to lay down and take a nap after not getting much sleep the previous night. Leia decided to take a walk around the ship, while Anakin, Luke, and Obi-Wan, did what she referred to as "Jedi stuff."
Leia roamed through the halls of the Millennium Falcon with no particular destination in mind. As she rounded a corner, Leia ran straight into Chewbacca. The wookie growled at her with consternation, but Leia showed no fear.
"Don't you growl at me," said Leia. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"
"Having a problem there, missy," said Han, coming up from behind Chewie.
Leia turned to him. "Yeah," she said, "can you keep this walking carpet from stumbling into me?"
"Looks like you stumbled into him," said Han. "And this is his home, Princess. That is what your Daddy calls you, isn't it?"
"My Father does, yes," said Leia. "But you are not my Father, so you don't call me that. And I was raised to treat guests with more courtesy."
Han put up his hands. "Well, excuse me, your royal highness," he said. "Us space bums will just go about our business and not taint your presence any longer. Come on, Chewie."
Han and Chewbacca walked off towards the ship's lounge, while Leia was left in the hallway fuming. "Argh, what an irritating man," she said to herself. Then, silently, she thought to herself. "Even though he is kind of cute."
****
Luke and Obi-Wan were in the lounge, practicing light saber combat. Anakin watched in admiration of his son, as he matched Obi-Wan's more experienced moves pretty well. They were handling practice sabers Anakin had brought along, so there was really no danger of injury. It also allowed Obi-Wan to really test young Luke's skills.
Han walked into the room with Chewie. The latter sat down at table next to Anakin, while Han sat at a console across the room. "Well, we should be at Solast in about 36 hours," he said. "From there, it will be another 14 hours to the Yavin system."
No one replied to his statement. Obi-Wan and Luke were too busy in mock combat, and Anakin was too busy studying them. Chewie was even a little captivated by watching the two Jedi engage in mock battle.
"Well, don't everyone thank me at once," said Han. "Besides, what are you two doing practicing with those ancient weapons anyway?"
"What's the matter," asked Anakin. "Don't you believe in the force?"
"Well, I'll tell ya something, Skywalker," said Han, "I've been from one end of this galaxy to the other, seen a lot of strange things, but nothing that would make me believe in this all powerful force of yours. I control my own destiny. The rest is a bunch of kiddy magic tricks."
Han reached over for his drink, only to have it lift off of the table by itself and begin to float across the room. Han watched in stunned silence as it flew across the lounge and into Anakin's waiting hands.
Luke and Obi-Wan stopped their mock combat to watch the scene unfold. Anakin smiled at Han, and then held up the drink. "You want this back, now, Captain Solo?" he asked.
Han nodded quietly. Anakin then sent it back across the room and it landed softly in Han's outstretched hand. Luke chuckled at the look on Han's face, while Obi-Wan merely shook his head at Anakin.
"You always were a show off," said Obi-Wan.