********************************
Chapter Ten: The Arrival
*
Fourteen hours after escaping from the Imperial star destroyer, the Millennium Falcon entered the Yavin system. Obi-Wan directed Solo to proceed to a heavily forested moon in the system where the Rebel base was located. As they approached, Obi-Wan sent a coded signal to the Rebel base, informing them of his eminent arrival.
The Falcon entered the landing bay of the Rebel base, and touched down. Stepping into the maintenance bay to greet them was a group of four Rebel officials, one of whom was wearing the brown robes of a Jedi. He was an older, dark skinned man, with no hair on his head and a gray mustache and goatee beard. His features indicated a long, hard life, but his countenance was one of seemingly immortal strength.
The group of Rebel leaders watched as the hatch to the Millennium Falcon opened. Down the gangplank came Obi-Wan Kenobi with a fast gate. He smiled and greeted the other Jedi with a polite bow.
"Master Windu," said Obi-Wan.
"Master Kenobi," said Mace Windu, returning the bow. Then, the two men faced one another. "I trust your mission was successful."
"A few bumps along the way," said Obi-Wan. "But, I have the plans to the Death Star in my possession."
"Good," said Windu. Then, he noticed several more people come down the gangplank. Two of them were women, one older, another in her late teens. Another man in a black vest, light brown shirt, and dark pants came down, with a wookie beside him. But Windu's eyes only gave them all a cursory glance, because he was focused on the man in the Jedi robes whom he recognized instantly even after many years. He also took notice of a young man walking just behind and to the left of him who also carried a light saber, wore Jedi robes, and had a Padawan's braid.
"Well," said Windu. "You did seek him out, didn't you Obi-Wan? After I told you not to."
"Master Windu," said Anakin with a polite bow, joined quickly by his son, Luke. "It is good to see you again."
"Master Skywalker," said Windu politely. "Who is your apprentice?"
"Master," said Anakin, "this is my son, Luke Skywalker. Luke, this is Master Windu of the Jedi council."
"Master," said Luke with a voice full of reverence, again bowing to Windu. The young man had heard stories of the council all of his life, and actually meeting a member of the council was, to him, like meeting a living deity.
"Padawan," said Windu. Then, turning back to Obi-Wan. "Why did you defy my wishes?"
"I told you before, Master Windu," said Obi-Wan. "Anakin is needed with us. He is the chosen one, the one destined to destroy Palpatine."
"Yes, I remember the prophecy very well, Obi-Wan," said Windu. "But I also remember how this supposed 'chosen one' defied the rules of the Jedi order by taking a wife, almost turned to the dark side, and abandoned us in our greatest hour of need. So, as I said, his help is no longer required, or wanted."
"Master Windu," said Anakin. "I know you have every right to be angry with me."
"Anger is not our way, Anakin," said Windu. "I simply do not recognize you as a chosen savior anymore, therefore you are not needed."
"Alright, fine," said Anakin. "But how about another Jedi on your side, and a trained and experienced pilot. Two, along with my son. Could you use us in that capacity?"
"Master Windu," said the bearded Rebel official behind him. "We could always use the aid of two Jedi Knights, and good pilots. Especially the latter if we are to destroy the Death Star. If it can be destroyed."
Windu was quiet for a few moments before nodding. "Yes, I suppose we could. And I suppose I should put my personal prejudices aside for the good of our cause. Very well. You may join us."
"Thank you, Master," said Anakin. Then, he turned to his wife and daughter, who had been (along with Han and Chewbacca) observing the proceedings silently. "Master, you remember my wife, Padme? And this is our daughter, Leia."
Windu bowed slightly. "A pleasure," he said. "My lady," he said to Padme. "I am deeply sorry for the loss of Naboo. It was a tragedy that will not forgotten."
"Thank you, Master Windu," said Padme.
"Um, excuse me," said Han. "I hate to break up the little meeting of the Jedi club and companions here, but I need to be paid so I can get out of here."
"Wait," said Leia. "You're not staying?"
"No, of course not," said Han. "I did my job, now I get paid and go. What did you expect?"
Leia turned away from him. "Nothing at all," she said. "That's what I should expect from you, I suppose."
"We will arrange payment," said the bearded Rebel official. "Come with me."
Meanwhile, the Skywalkers were escorted to quarters, while Obi-Wan went with Windu and the other Rebel officials. As they walked across the huge landing bay filled with fighters, one of the rebel fighter pilots watched the group with great interest. The young, dark haired man stared at them with an intense gaze, most of it focused on Padme.
"Hey, Wedge," said another pilot. "What are you looking at?"
"Oh, Biggs, sorry," said Wedge Antilles. "I was just...that woman, walking across the bay with the two Jedi. She's wearing an old Naboo aristocrats battle uniform, and wearing Naboo bands of political office. And she looks somehow familiar."
"Look, Wedge," said Biggs, "I know you're upset about Naboo. I mean, your home world get's blown up...its understandable. Anyhow, are you sure..."
"I'll be back," said Wedge, as he ran across the landing bay, and approached the woman and the group she was with.
The Skywalkers noticed the young man run up, and turned to see what he wanted. "Excuse me," said Wedge. "Sorry to bother you, but...I noticed, Miss, you're uniform. Its Naboo, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Padme. "Are you from Naboo?"
"Yes. I'm Wedge Antilles, a pilot."
"Then we share a loss, don't we," said Padme, holding our her hand. "I'm Padme Skywalker, this is my husband, Anakin, my son, Luke, and daughter, Leia."
Wedge took her hand in a quick handshake. "I'm sorry, but you look awfully familiar. Is it possible we have met before?"
"You might know her as Padme Amidala," said Leia helpfully. "That was her maiden..."
"PADME AMIDALA!" said Wedge with shock, immediately falling to his knee and bowing. "MILADY! Lady Amidala! I'm sorry, I..."
"Please, get up," said Padme in a pleading voice with a somewhat embarrassed expression. "I haven't been addressed as Milady in a long time."
Wedge slowly rose and faced Padme. "I thought I recognized you. My Father had a portrait of you from when you were the Queen of Naboo on his wall. He served in the palace guard before the Clone Wars, under Captain Panaka. He used to tell me stories...about you, about how you saved Naboo from the Trade Federation. He was among the soldiers who fought alongside you that day."
"Wait, did you say your name was Antilles?" asked Padme.
"Yes, Milady," said Wedge.
"Your Father must have been Lt. Paal Antilles," she said. "I remember him."
"Oh, Milady, he would have been so honored you remember him," said Wedge.
"Please, call me Padme. Is he still alive?"
Wedge's excited look turned to sorrow. "He passed on four years ago."
Padme nodded knowingly. "I'm sorry. But I sense a part of him still lives. I can see his strength in you, Wedge. Together, we shall avenge our world's destruction."
"Yes, Milady, I mean...Padme," said Wedge. "We will."
"Well, if you will excuse us," said Anakin, "we must go to our quarters to settle in."
"Oh, of course," said Wedge.
"I was wondering," said Luke, "could you show me these fighters? I'd love to get a look at them."
"Of course," said Wedge, very eager. "I'd be happy to. Luke, right?"
"Right," said Luke, walking away towards the fighters with Wedge, after receiving a silent nod of permission from Anakin.
"Well, he seems to be settling in quite well," said Anakin to Padme. Then, with a smile, he added. "Milady."
Padme rolled her eyes, and turned slowly to see a chuckling Anakin. "What is so funny?" she said with irritation.
"Nothing, Milady," said Anakin, with a bow and continued chuckling. "Nothing at all."
Then, Leia started chuckling, much to Padme's consternation. "And what are you laughing at?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Leia, "Milady."
Padme let out a huff of breath, and continued to walk in the direction they had been heading before Wedge introduced himself. Anakin did not readily follow, he and his daughter still laughing over the scene they had just witnessed with Padme and Wedge. For some reason, the way Wedge kept saying Milady seemed funny to them, as was Padme's embarrassed reaction.
Finally, Padme turned to them. "Oh, Anakin."
"Yes, Milady," said Anakin, continuing to push the joke.
"You had better stop that Milady business," she said with a smirk. "Otherwise, you are going to find it very cold sleeping tonight. Because you will be sleeping alone."
Anakin immediately stopped chuckling. "Oh, of course," he said. "Sorry, Mil...Padme."
Then, as Anakin followed Padme, Leia started chuckling at her Father's quick surrender before her Mother's threat. She shook her head in amusement before following her parents to quarters.
Chapter Ten: The Arrival
*
Fourteen hours after escaping from the Imperial star destroyer, the Millennium Falcon entered the Yavin system. Obi-Wan directed Solo to proceed to a heavily forested moon in the system where the Rebel base was located. As they approached, Obi-Wan sent a coded signal to the Rebel base, informing them of his eminent arrival.
The Falcon entered the landing bay of the Rebel base, and touched down. Stepping into the maintenance bay to greet them was a group of four Rebel officials, one of whom was wearing the brown robes of a Jedi. He was an older, dark skinned man, with no hair on his head and a gray mustache and goatee beard. His features indicated a long, hard life, but his countenance was one of seemingly immortal strength.
The group of Rebel leaders watched as the hatch to the Millennium Falcon opened. Down the gangplank came Obi-Wan Kenobi with a fast gate. He smiled and greeted the other Jedi with a polite bow.
"Master Windu," said Obi-Wan.
"Master Kenobi," said Mace Windu, returning the bow. Then, the two men faced one another. "I trust your mission was successful."
"A few bumps along the way," said Obi-Wan. "But, I have the plans to the Death Star in my possession."
"Good," said Windu. Then, he noticed several more people come down the gangplank. Two of them were women, one older, another in her late teens. Another man in a black vest, light brown shirt, and dark pants came down, with a wookie beside him. But Windu's eyes only gave them all a cursory glance, because he was focused on the man in the Jedi robes whom he recognized instantly even after many years. He also took notice of a young man walking just behind and to the left of him who also carried a light saber, wore Jedi robes, and had a Padawan's braid.
"Well," said Windu. "You did seek him out, didn't you Obi-Wan? After I told you not to."
"Master Windu," said Anakin with a polite bow, joined quickly by his son, Luke. "It is good to see you again."
"Master Skywalker," said Windu politely. "Who is your apprentice?"
"Master," said Anakin, "this is my son, Luke Skywalker. Luke, this is Master Windu of the Jedi council."
"Master," said Luke with a voice full of reverence, again bowing to Windu. The young man had heard stories of the council all of his life, and actually meeting a member of the council was, to him, like meeting a living deity.
"Padawan," said Windu. Then, turning back to Obi-Wan. "Why did you defy my wishes?"
"I told you before, Master Windu," said Obi-Wan. "Anakin is needed with us. He is the chosen one, the one destined to destroy Palpatine."
"Yes, I remember the prophecy very well, Obi-Wan," said Windu. "But I also remember how this supposed 'chosen one' defied the rules of the Jedi order by taking a wife, almost turned to the dark side, and abandoned us in our greatest hour of need. So, as I said, his help is no longer required, or wanted."
"Master Windu," said Anakin. "I know you have every right to be angry with me."
"Anger is not our way, Anakin," said Windu. "I simply do not recognize you as a chosen savior anymore, therefore you are not needed."
"Alright, fine," said Anakin. "But how about another Jedi on your side, and a trained and experienced pilot. Two, along with my son. Could you use us in that capacity?"
"Master Windu," said the bearded Rebel official behind him. "We could always use the aid of two Jedi Knights, and good pilots. Especially the latter if we are to destroy the Death Star. If it can be destroyed."
Windu was quiet for a few moments before nodding. "Yes, I suppose we could. And I suppose I should put my personal prejudices aside for the good of our cause. Very well. You may join us."
"Thank you, Master," said Anakin. Then, he turned to his wife and daughter, who had been (along with Han and Chewbacca) observing the proceedings silently. "Master, you remember my wife, Padme? And this is our daughter, Leia."
Windu bowed slightly. "A pleasure," he said. "My lady," he said to Padme. "I am deeply sorry for the loss of Naboo. It was a tragedy that will not forgotten."
"Thank you, Master Windu," said Padme.
"Um, excuse me," said Han. "I hate to break up the little meeting of the Jedi club and companions here, but I need to be paid so I can get out of here."
"Wait," said Leia. "You're not staying?"
"No, of course not," said Han. "I did my job, now I get paid and go. What did you expect?"
Leia turned away from him. "Nothing at all," she said. "That's what I should expect from you, I suppose."
"We will arrange payment," said the bearded Rebel official. "Come with me."
Meanwhile, the Skywalkers were escorted to quarters, while Obi-Wan went with Windu and the other Rebel officials. As they walked across the huge landing bay filled with fighters, one of the rebel fighter pilots watched the group with great interest. The young, dark haired man stared at them with an intense gaze, most of it focused on Padme.
"Hey, Wedge," said another pilot. "What are you looking at?"
"Oh, Biggs, sorry," said Wedge Antilles. "I was just...that woman, walking across the bay with the two Jedi. She's wearing an old Naboo aristocrats battle uniform, and wearing Naboo bands of political office. And she looks somehow familiar."
"Look, Wedge," said Biggs, "I know you're upset about Naboo. I mean, your home world get's blown up...its understandable. Anyhow, are you sure..."
"I'll be back," said Wedge, as he ran across the landing bay, and approached the woman and the group she was with.
The Skywalkers noticed the young man run up, and turned to see what he wanted. "Excuse me," said Wedge. "Sorry to bother you, but...I noticed, Miss, you're uniform. Its Naboo, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Padme. "Are you from Naboo?"
"Yes. I'm Wedge Antilles, a pilot."
"Then we share a loss, don't we," said Padme, holding our her hand. "I'm Padme Skywalker, this is my husband, Anakin, my son, Luke, and daughter, Leia."
Wedge took her hand in a quick handshake. "I'm sorry, but you look awfully familiar. Is it possible we have met before?"
"You might know her as Padme Amidala," said Leia helpfully. "That was her maiden..."
"PADME AMIDALA!" said Wedge with shock, immediately falling to his knee and bowing. "MILADY! Lady Amidala! I'm sorry, I..."
"Please, get up," said Padme in a pleading voice with a somewhat embarrassed expression. "I haven't been addressed as Milady in a long time."
Wedge slowly rose and faced Padme. "I thought I recognized you. My Father had a portrait of you from when you were the Queen of Naboo on his wall. He served in the palace guard before the Clone Wars, under Captain Panaka. He used to tell me stories...about you, about how you saved Naboo from the Trade Federation. He was among the soldiers who fought alongside you that day."
"Wait, did you say your name was Antilles?" asked Padme.
"Yes, Milady," said Wedge.
"Your Father must have been Lt. Paal Antilles," she said. "I remember him."
"Oh, Milady, he would have been so honored you remember him," said Wedge.
"Please, call me Padme. Is he still alive?"
Wedge's excited look turned to sorrow. "He passed on four years ago."
Padme nodded knowingly. "I'm sorry. But I sense a part of him still lives. I can see his strength in you, Wedge. Together, we shall avenge our world's destruction."
"Yes, Milady, I mean...Padme," said Wedge. "We will."
"Well, if you will excuse us," said Anakin, "we must go to our quarters to settle in."
"Oh, of course," said Wedge.
"I was wondering," said Luke, "could you show me these fighters? I'd love to get a look at them."
"Of course," said Wedge, very eager. "I'd be happy to. Luke, right?"
"Right," said Luke, walking away towards the fighters with Wedge, after receiving a silent nod of permission from Anakin.
"Well, he seems to be settling in quite well," said Anakin to Padme. Then, with a smile, he added. "Milady."
Padme rolled her eyes, and turned slowly to see a chuckling Anakin. "What is so funny?" she said with irritation.
"Nothing, Milady," said Anakin, with a bow and continued chuckling. "Nothing at all."
Then, Leia started chuckling, much to Padme's consternation. "And what are you laughing at?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Leia, "Milady."
Padme let out a huff of breath, and continued to walk in the direction they had been heading before Wedge introduced himself. Anakin did not readily follow, he and his daughter still laughing over the scene they had just witnessed with Padme and Wedge. For some reason, the way Wedge kept saying Milady seemed funny to them, as was Padme's embarrassed reaction.
Finally, Padme turned to them. "Oh, Anakin."
"Yes, Milady," said Anakin, continuing to push the joke.
"You had better stop that Milady business," she said with a smirk. "Otherwise, you are going to find it very cold sleeping tonight. Because you will be sleeping alone."
Anakin immediately stopped chuckling. "Oh, of course," he said. "Sorry, Mil...Padme."
Then, as Anakin followed Padme, Leia started chuckling at her Father's quick surrender before her Mother's threat. She shook her head in amusement before following her parents to quarters.