Mara stared at the ceiling, uncertainties keeping her awake. She wasn't sure if this way of using the force was good or not. It was nothing like what she had learned in the past. It was certainly easier, but it just was totally different. When she had been at the temple, she had learned to feel peace and remain calm, now she was being told to use her anger and her hate to fight. She was just so confused! Was this really the right thing to do? It was just so hard to decide! She sighed, and tried to feel at ease, and maybe use the force to fall asleep. She shut her eyes and pushed all thoughts from her head. Within minutes, she fell into dream-filled sleep.
~*~
Anakin brought Alpha 1 down to the landing platform on Courescant. Once they left the ship, the Chancellor was supposed to meet them. Later, Anakin planned to speak to the Jedi Council about Obi- Wan, Mara's decision and... He shuddered- what he had done all those years ago.
"Anakin, don't worry about it. The council will be forgiving," said Padmé as though she had read his mind.
Anakin looked up and smirked. Somewhere during his train of thoughts Padmé had entered the cockpit.
"I thought I was the one who could read minds," he said.
Padmé laughed and hugged him from behind. "Anakin, this'll be okay, you'll see," she said.
Anakin turned to face her, "I hope you're right."
She kissed him lightly, "I know I am," she said, "Now come, lets go meet with the Chancellor."
Anakin nodded. The two walked out of the cockpit and into the passenger area where Luke and Leia were looking out a window at the city below.
"Leia, Luke, its time to go meet the Chancellor," said Padmé.
"Okay!" said Leia cheerfully.
Luke looked around uncertainly. "Are you sure its safe out there?" he asked as he gestured at the window.
"Of course, Luke," said Padmé. "Why wouldn't it be safe?"
"Well, I've never really been away from Tatooine before..." he trailed off.
"Don't worry about it, Courescant is an okay place to be," said Anakin. "Its no Tatooine, but its still a great place,"
~*~
The next day when Mara awoke, she received a message from the emperor that she should begin work on her new lightsaber. It said that she cold roam wherever she wished on the ship to gather parts. Mara sat in thought for a moment. The best places to get parts would probably be from other machines, garbage chutes, or spare part storerooms. Her only problem would be gaining access to these places, and on top of that, she had never made a lightsaber before. She hadn't made her old one herself.
She knew most of what she would need- something metal and cylindrical, a power source, a crystal, some sort of switch, and several other components to make it work. She began to think about where to get all of these items when she had an idea. Why wouldn't she just use the parts from her old lightsaber minus the hilt and crystal? That would work, wouldn't it? That way she wouldn't have to gather all of those parts that she would need. 'Yes, that's exactly what I'll do!' she thought.
~*~
"Ah, Senator Amidala! So good to see you!" said Chancellor Rothrock, "When we had heard you were taken we feared the worst,"
"Thank you Chancellor," said Padmé, her voice taking on a 'diplomatic' tone, "Its good to see you too,"
"And Mr. Skywalker I presume?" asked the Chancellor a little fearfully.
"Yes, Nice to meet you Chancellor," Anakin replied as politely.
"Ah, and these are your children I presume?" he asked, gesturing at Luke and Leia.
Padmé nodded, "This is Luke and this is Leia," she said.
"I see. Nice to meet you," he said, "The Jedi wouldn't explain much to us in the senate, so would you mind filling me in?" he asked.
Anakin stared incredulously at him, as Padmé answered, "Of course, but we've had a long day and would appreciate it if you would allow us to explain tomorrow,"
"Of course," he said. "Then if you would excuse me, I have a previous engagement to attend to. Good day."
~*~
After Chancellor Rothrock left them at the landing platform, The Skywalkers went to Padme's apartment.
"Well, I suppose I'll need a bigger apartment now," said Padmé as the entered. "I have a full size bed, 3 sleeping bags, and a pullout couch for when my sister, nieces, and parents visit,"
Anakin nodded, "Hey, uh, while you settle in, I'll go talk to the Jedi right now," he said uncertainly.
"Okay, if you're sure you want to do that now," said Padmé looking at him.
"I'm sure," he said, hugging her for a moment.
~*~
Later that day, Mara came back to her room with the perfect piece of metal to use as a hilt. It appeared to be exactly the right size for all the parts she would need. Mara took apart her old lightsaber and began putting its pieces in the hilt of her new one. It was a perfect fit. Now all she needed was a new crystal for its blade. She had been thinking that she would use either a Ruby or a Black Onyx, but she hadn't quite decided yet, let alone have a stone of any sort to use other than the Emerald from her old one.
Mara only knew of one place that would definitely have either of the two stones she would need, and that was the icy caves of Ilum. Ilum (AN: I found this in the databank on Starwars.com so its accurate!) was the planet she had heard many of the Jedi back at the temple talk about, it was where most traveled to get the stones for their lightsabers. Mara was sure that they would have both Rubies and Onyx there. She would ask the Emperor about going there later.
~*~
Anakin walked through the familiar halls of the Jedi Temple. Even after all those years he still knew his way around. It was chilling to see that almost nothing had changed. After walking for a few minutes, Anakin came to the chamber where the Jedi Masters could usually be found. 'Well, this is it' he thought as he opened the door.
_*_
AN: Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry that took so long! Its been a whole month since I last updated! I won't take so long for the next chapter, I promise! My reason for taking so long, is that for about the last 3 weeks of school, I was absolutely loaded down with homework, then my family and I went on vacation for a week and had no access to a computer! Sorry! Reviews are always appreciated!
- Sarah