Chapter Nine

When they reached the Hall, Luke excused himself for a few minutes, he wanted to check on the fleet, was the excuse he told them. He sent a message off to his father.

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// Father: Meet Leia and I at the apartment sometime after we return from the meeting. I think I know whom you are searching for. Here are the access codes and I have a landspeeder waiting for you at landing field 12 A. Luke. //

Anakin looked at the letter his son just sent him as he leaned against the panel. How did Luke guess that he was searching for his wife? I guess I will just have to trust him.

Manchisco noticed his stance, he seemed a little uneasy. "Is there something wrong sir?" She asked.

Anakin shook his head, "I'll be fine." His voice sounded far from fine, but she decided to drop it. He got out his comlink as he straightened up. "This is Lord Vader, prepare a shuttle to head down to the planets surface."

The tech answered, "Yes Lord Vader. But do you think it is."

Anakin cut him off, "Wise? It's a risk, but I have to take this chance. Commander Skywalker has requested my presence."

The landing personal came back, "Shuttle will be ready with in the hour sir."

Anakin acknowledged, "Vader out. Manchisco you have the bridge."

Manchisco acknowledged as she watched Vader leave the bridge.

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As Anakin was landing the shuttle. He looked out at the landscape, wondering how long it would take him to track down his wife. He walked down the ships ramp. He had a robe on that would hide his mask and body armor, and he did not want anyone receiving word that he was on the planet. He walked over to the landspeeder his son had managed to get him. He punched in the codes Luke sent him, the landspeeder engines ignited, he lifted the speeder and took off and headed into the city.

When he reached the apartment he got out of the speeder, took a look around to make sure no one had noticed him, seeing no one around, he walked to the door of the apartment and punched in the access code. He was curious as to why Luke asked to meet him there, he was anxious to begin his search. He felt that Luke wanted to meet with him, to discuss about how to take these steps.

He took off the robe and walked over to the window. Threepio came around the corner, he didn't think he would be seeing his droid again, somehow he ended up in the hands of his daughter, "Oh, sir, I did not know you were going to come down. Is there something I can get you?"

He waved Threepio away, "No, continue on taking messages."

Threepio ran his voice threw his memory, and noticed that he sounded a little distressed.

He was wondering how his son found out that it was his wife that he was looking for. Unless, they found her already, which was a possibility. It did seem like Padme to come straight out and say that she was their mother, but if so then how much did Luke tell her about what happened to him. He was on the brink of tears at the thought about having to face his wife for the first time in twenty-four years.

Threepio prompted him, "Sir are you sure you are ok?"

Anakin thought it over; did I program that droid to be chatty? Maybe if Leia would let him, he could redo the program, he replied, "Yes, I'll be fine. Get back to your post."

Threepio walked away not completely convinced.

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Someone announced "Leia Organa and company." Leia, Han and Luke walked up and stood below Governor Nereus. Nereus asked, "Do you know what you are fighting against?"

Leia shook her head even though she knew. "Please run the Dev recording." Nereus said into the air.

Leia turned and watched as a young boy not past 16 was shown. "I bring you joy and good news," Dev began. "I come on the emperors behalf to invite you to live in a world of no hunger, free from suffering, and be able to fly among the stars. He walked over, to a chair with a man lying on it. May I present the entenchement process." The man was barley conscious.

Leia watched in horror, as the man screamed and went limp. Her face paled as she watched an innocent die. The screen widened, here it comes a view of the enemy. A brown alien with a v-shape on its forehead had a strong tail for balance. "This is my master, Firwirrung, we look forward to giving you each your own fighter droid. I Hope to see you soon." The message ended.

Han moved to Leias side as he put his arm around her. Gaeriel spoke up, "Now you see what we are up against." Her voice was drowned out as others got in their shouts.

Leia got everyone's attention, "We are here on your side, and we will help you repel them back to where they had come from. The Alliance sent their most valuable Commander Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight."

Gaeriel looked over at Luke startled, she was caught with her defenses down. She fingered the pendent; that was around her neck, her religion was anti-jedi. The pendent was to bring balance to the force, and to protect her from his jedi's power. He was not quite what she was expecting what a jedi would look like. He is so young. She looked over to see those blue innocent eyes looking at her, she stared back at him and got the satisfactory, of him looking away first. Something reminded her of Uncle Yeorg.

"If the Alliance was so willing to help, then why didn't they send more ships?" Yelled a senator from across the room. Padme looked over, she did not like the way he posed that question.

"This is just a scout, we have sent back a report requesting for backup, but it might be sometime before they can send any ships here." Leia answered. Luke had shown her the damage earlier.

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Half an hour of useless fighting and getting nowhere, Leia walked away completely discouraged.

Padme watched her daughter walk out with the same expression on her face, when she felt the pressure of politics build up. After they were dismissed she walked out to see Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie waiting for her. All five got into the speeder and headed back to their apartment, she did not know why Luke was insistent that she comes back with them, there must be a reason.

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