Chapter 3
Anakin? rang Luke Skywalker's voice in his head.
It's me, Uncle Luke, Anakin Solo replied.
What happened? You...well...died.
I've been resurrected by a guy named Lord Garinoska. They did the same thing to him that they did to Bevel Lemelisk. I'm guess he's a Sith. Where are you?
Borleias.
I'll find you there.
Anakin! Wait!
But he was already gone, invisible to Luke through the Force.
***
When the shuttle entered the Pyria system, they found a wing of X-wings waiting for them. "Approaching shuttle, this is Rogue Leader. Follow us down to Borleias."
Anakin responded with a click on his comm. He had not talked to anyone except his grandfather since his Force conversation with Luke.
He brought the shuttle down in a and landed on a platform that was set above a small cluster of buildings. He waited a few moments and saw his mother, father, Jacen, Jaina, Uncle Luke, Aunt Mara, little Ben Skywalker, Jag Fel, Wedge, Colonel Celch, Wes Janson, and most of the other Jedi he had known. Then someone stepped out of the crowd of Jedi. Tahiri. She looked skeptical.
Anakin turned and said, "Grandfather, I think it would be best for you to wait here a moment."
"Got it."
Anakin Solo hit the button for the ramp and watched the bright sunlight filter into the shuttle. He walked slowly, eyes scanning the crowd for weapons. Wait, what am I doing that for? I shouldn't be concerned about whether or not my friends and family are carrying weapons. He supposed it must have been an instinct that the techs aboard the Super Star Destroyer had implanted in him.
Finally, he couldn't wait any longer. He broke for his parents at a sprint.
When he finally got moment, he shouted towards the shuttle, "Come on out!"
A pair of feet appeared at the top of the ramp and began to march down, capturing everyone's attention. Clad in a black robe he had found in the shuttle, he strode towards Luke, the robe swirling around him in the slight breeze.
"It would appear that I'm am able to look upon you again with my own eyes, my son."
Everyone present paled.
***
Twelve hours later, both Anakins were still in debriefing, with a council of Jedi and a few officers from Alliance Intelligence.
"It would appear that you are who you say you are, both of you. Skywalker, keep you true identity quiet. It would anger some to realize that Darth Vader is still alive."
The door to the room opened and both men walked out. It had been a long twelve hours and both of them were looking forward to getting some rack time.
Anakin Solo headed off to spend some time with his family, while Anakin Skywalker headed towards the hanger, looking for General Darklighter. He found the General with his feet sticking out of the bottom of his XJ5 X-wing.
"Ah, General?"
"Yeah?" came the muffled reply.
"I'm looking for a place in one of your squadrons."
Gavin climbed out of the X-wing. "Skywalker? I've got to say, I don't really trust the man who was Darth Vader, but Luke and Leia trust you, so that's good enough for now. Lemme get some of my pilots together and we'll put you through the Redemption scenario. It's old, but challenging, so we'll give it a try. You alright flying an XJ5?"
"Colonel, I've been dead for more than twenty years. I'm not current on the most recent models of X-wings, nor am I officially certified to fly an older one, but I think you'll find I'm a decent pilot."
"Alright."
***
Twenty minutes later, Anakin was in the cockpit of the X-wing sim. On his wing was a novice pilot in Vanguard squadron. "Two, on me."
"Copy Gold one."
Anakin flew towards the formation of Ties. There was maybe a full wing of them, Interceptors and bombers. "Two, watch my back, and take shots when you get them. Play evasive and I'll play aggressive. Got it?"
"As ordered Lead."
"Good. Let's get hit the dupes first. After the dupes are gone, the Interceptors can't kill the cruiser, at least not without losing the majority of their flyers. You ready? You better be. Fire away."
***
Outside in the simulator's observation room, Gavin watched as one by one, Skywalker vaped his pilots. He checked the board. Thirty percent of the Interceptors were destroyed and almost all of the bombers were gone.
Finally, ten minutes later, they were all gone. Skywalker had gotten twenty kills, with his wingmate getting the rest, and most of the shots the Vanguard pilot had gotten had been set up by Skywalker.
Skywalker emerged from the simulator cockpit grinning. "Vaping moffs. You beat the best we have. One of the 'Suns broke his leg hopping out of his X-wing, so your Twin Suns Nine for now, in command of Three Flight. Come with me. I'll show you to your ship.