Chapter 3

Anakin smiled, a predatory grin, as he swung his lightsabre on a course to decapitate his former master's head.

Moving faster than he'd have thought possible, Obi-Wan parried his move, and launched a counterattack. Anakin's smile shifted to a look of a surprise, and he leapt into the air, dodging the blow.

How dare he!? Anakin thought with outrage.

As he landed, the younger Jedi lunged forward, and stabbed his blade at Obi-Wan's chest.

Again, it was knocked aside, but this time, instead of attacking, the Jedi Master simply brought his blade into an en guard position.

Anakin swung again, but try as he might, none of his blows could get past his opponent. Attack after attack, Obi-Wan blocked them all with apparent ease.

He was getting angry now. Wasn't he more powerful than Obi-Wan? Wasn't he the Chosen One? He kept swinging, with increasing ferocity. Although Obi-Wan knocked them all aside, he did not once attack.

Is he toying with me? Anakin thought, furious.

Finally, he snapped. Reaching out through the Force, he pulled his opponent's lightsabre into his hand, and swung with all his strength. The blade passed straight through Obi-Wan's chest, and a gasp escaped from his lips as he crumpled to the floor.

Just as quickly, he got up. "A good exercise," he said, examining the mark on his chest that was beginning to blister.

It was five standard days after the Battle of Pogaq, as it was now being called. Upon returning to Coruscant, Anakin and Obi-Wan had immediately sought refuge in the Jedi temple, to continue their lifelong struggle to understand the Force. Obi-Wan had retreated to his quarters, presumably to meditate over the issue had been troubling him for the past few months. Whatever it was, Anakin had been acutely aware of it during the battle. He, on the other hand, had continued work on his invention.

Throughout the history of the Jedi order, a problem had always plagued those who were training in the art of the lightsabre. For those not used to it, the weapon could be very hard to manage. One slip of the mind, one moment of inattentiveness, and you could just as easily slice of your own arm, rather than your opponents. And if wielding it was dangerous alone, trying to fence with similarly untrained opponents multiplied that danger tenfold. One could always use training poles, but they didn't have the same feel as that of a blade of pure energy.

Thus, Anakin had stumbled upon an intuitive answer. By replacing the crystal in an ordinary lightsabre, with that of a specially made artificial one, one could quite accurately modulate the frequency of the blade. When set to a certain frequency, any blades outfitted with these crystals would block each other, but pass through any other object unimpeded, leaving only mild burns in it's wake. Thus, the training lightsabre was born.

Now, all training duels could be fought with real lightsabres, by simply installing a secondary crystal. The crystals could be switched at the touch of a button, so one wouldn't be stuck at a crucial moment with a dummy blade.

Thus, he had challenged Obi-Wan to a duel, to test out his invention.

"Interesting," he commented now, still staring at his chest.

"What is it, Master?" Anakin said, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.

"If you notice, the mark on my chest seems to be the only residual effect of the blade."

Frowning, Anakin reached out with the Force. He focused on his former Master, and found that he had been quite correct. The only damage had been to skin tissue, though the blade had passed many vital organs, including the heart. Briefly, he wondered what had caused the strange effect, before his mind turned to other matters.

While the primary purpose of the exercise had been to test the new blade, he had had an ulterior motive. Just yesterday, he had realized that the recent battle had been the longest he'd ever gone without thinking about his left arm. His mechanical arm.

When he'd lost his arm against the terrible battle against Count Dooku, he felt as if a part of him had been forever lost. It had been a difficult decision to get a prosthetic limb, and an even more difficult one on whether to put an artificial "skin" on it. In the end, he had chosen to keep the mechanical arm, without any coverings. He wanted it as a reminder of what can happen if one isn't careful in a lightsabre duel. After that day, he had vowed to work harder than ever for his goal of becoming the most powerful Jedi ever. If I just had more power, I wouldn't have lost my arm. Dooku wouldn't have escaped. He swallowed. Mom wouldn't have died. At that time, he hadn't wanted to forget.

Eventually, it had become clear that while the mechanical arm didn't allow him to forget the events of that horrible day, it was a distraction. In each and every battle he had fought in, he had been unable to push his arm from his mind. He kept questioning his abilities; whether his arm was up to the task of being a Jedi. He became so focused on this, that the other Jedi had begun to gently suggest that it might be time to cover up the arm. Up until now, he hadn't listened to them.

But upon returning to Coruscant, it occurred to him that if he could go through an entire battle, without for a minute thinking of his arm, it had become useless as a reminder. Better to focus entirely on my goal. Thus, he had succumb to the inevitable: he had covered it up. His duel with Obi-Wan had been a kind of test, a way to initiate his new arm, and see if everything was functioning well. And, in his opinion, he had passed.

Too bad Obi-Wan didn't see it that way.

"You must learn to control your anger," he was saying now. "Anger leads to…"

"The dark side, I know, I know," Anakin cut him off, with more than a touch of impatience. "How many times will you give me the same lecture?"

"Until I'm sure you've learnt the lesson," Obi-Wan's voice came back, with a definite coolness. He kept his hard gaze on Anakin for a minute, then continued. "In any case, I would deem the exercise a success." He smiled. "You may have changed the course of Jedi training here, you know. Years from now, people will still be using your training lightsabre."

Anakin smiled wryly. "Well, I was hoping I'd be remembered for more than that, but I am pleased."

The two Jedi walked through the halls of the Jedi temple in silence, for a while, simply enjoying the peace and familiarity of the place they had called home for most of their life. Well, maybe not home, exactly, Anakin amended. For him, home would always be Mos Espa, Tatooine. With Mom, he thought, trying to push down the feelings of sadness and regret. No, he decided, the Jedi temple did have a special place in his heart, but it wasn't quite home. Not yet, anyway.

Shaking his head, he brought himself back to the present. He could still sense his master's brooding, the dark feelings that were threatening to overtake him. He had hoped the duel would temporarily relieve them, but his efforts had been in vain.

Finally, he broke the silence. "Master, you seem troubled. What's bothering you?"

A smiled flashed briefly on Obi-Wan's face, before he answered. "Well, I suppose I couldn't hide it for long. Not from a Jedi, anyway." He sighed heavily. "Mostly, I suppose, I'm concerned for the Republic. This war is tearing everyone apart. The Senate is in shambles. And, most disturbing of all, I've noticed that our orders are becoming more and more ruthless." He shrugged helplessly. "I just don't know what can be done. The future seems so bleak."

Anakin was shocked. He had no idea that Obi-Wan's depression had gone this far.

"Don't worry, Master. I'm sure that Senator Amidala and Palpatine will bring order to the Senate." He smiled, thinking of Padme's fiery determination, and the Chancellor's good sound advice, offered in times of need. "If anyone can do it, they can. And the war will be over soon, I'm sure of it. The Separatists have been steadily losing ground for three straight years, and after Pogaq," he smiled, "they won't have enough resources to continue for much longer. And…"

Obi-Wan, no doubt noticing Anakin's hesitation, prompted, "And the orders?"

"Well…I have to say, I'm a little concerned as well. Did you hear about Maloar?" Anakin asked.

Maloar was a fairly important planet, along one of the galaxy's major trade routes. It's main exports were caf, and stim-tea, the drinks of choice for most of the galaxy when trying to get that extra boost that would keep them awake for all-nighters. The main ingredient in the drinks, Hylis, was incredibly rare, and found only in the Ch'hala trees, native to Maloar. Several examples of the trees were found in Republic Palace, lining the Grand Corridor.

Recently, there had been an uprising among the workers of Maloar. They had said that the Republic was unable to meet the needs of a worker population such as this, and that their taxation laws were unfair to the common citizen. They declared their intention to break off from the Republic, and join the Separatists. This, Anakin knew, wasn't a surprise in itself. The petty squabbling in the Senate prevented any real work from being done, and, unfortunately, there would be casualties. What was surprising, however, was Palpatine's response to the insurrection.

Instead of sending negotiators, or even Jedi, to help rectify the situation, Palpatine had ordered one of the worker cities leveled. Not military targets. Not strategic locations. Just pure, wanton destruction. Men, women, and children, the lasers and missiles did not discriminate. Even now, Anakin could not forget the fires burning, the bodies, the cries for help that the newsgrids had shown. It had made him slightly sick to his stomach. Many top military commanders, the ones who weren't clones, had refused to take part in the massacre. There was no other word for it, but massacre.

He knew the logic behind it was at least partially sound. In making an example of this community, it would deter other communities from leaving the Republic. As horrible as it was, it would probably save more lives in the long run. Still, it just feels…wrong.

Now, Obi-Wan nodded. "I felt a disturbance in the Force."

Anakin grimaced. He, too, had felt the "disturbance," though he wouldn't really call it a disturbance. It was more like a full blown Force storm.

He had been in his quarters when it had struck. The terror, despair, and pain had rolled over him, the sound of thousands of lives calling out, suddenly silenced. He did not know these people, but the thought that he would never know them was the worst part of it all. Face after face had rolled past him, all too scared to speak. He vaguely recalled crawling to the refresher, and retching, before lapsing into unconsciousness. Yoda's face, he remembered, had looked incredibly tired when he had come to wake him up.

Now, standing in the corridor, the memory still hadn't faded. Anakin wondered if it ever would.

"I don't know…it just doesn't make any sense.. Why would Palpatine, or anyone, do that? Even if he is serving the greater good, there are other ways to contain a rebel colony." The young Jedi looked distressed.

"I know," Obi-Wan agreed, morosely. "There are nights, long nights, where I think the Separatists have the right idea. There is something wrong with our government. I just think working within it is a better idea than tearing it down and starting again."

Anakin nodded. "Anarchy just isn't the way."

"Especially," Obi-Wan added, "if the anarchists support things like the Disruptor."

Anakin nodded, gravely. The Disruptor.

After the battle of Pogaq, the Republic had discovered that the Separatists had had control of the planet for quite some time. Time enough, it happened, to create a secret lab, a lab devoted to new weapons research. And their first project was the Disruptor.

Even now, days later, Anakin could still see the plans in his mind. The huge, 8-kilometre long U-shaped station, larger than any Republic or Separatist ship. It appeared harmless, almost comical, but he knew the terrifying power that it contained.

The most terrifying part of the Disruptor wasn't the thousands of turbolasers, the squadrons of fighters, or even the impenetrable shields. It was the magnetic generators.

The station's premise was based around that of a giant magnet. When activated, it would create a magnetic field, large enough to disrupt the planetary field, which protects the world from solar wind, among other things. This caused catastrophic results on the planet, while a blockade prevented any ships from escaping.

This wasn't a weapon to win a war, to destroy a military. It was a weapon of fear; of intimidation. Anakin couldn't imagine the evil that could even think about building such a weapon, let alone using it. He shuddered, thinking of the "disturbance" that would be caused if it were to be used. It would be like Maloar, except a thousand times worse.

"Just one more reason why the Separatists must be stopped," Anakin said, finally.

Again, they lapsed into silence, neither one feeling the urge to speak. They were both lost in their meditations; in the Force.

This time, it was Obi-Wan who broke the reverie. "And, as if that wasn't enough, there's the reports of Jedi being taken captive by a mysterious bounty hunter."

He shuddered, thinking of his only encounter with a member of the unique brand of scum, Jango Fett. He wondered what had become of that unaltered clone, Boba.

"What I don't understand," Anakin said in reply, "is how this bounty hunter, whoever he is, could have sprung a trap on a Jedi. I mean, it would have been sensed, right? And even if he did somehow sneak up on him, I don't think any Jedi would be taken without a fight."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Another mystery, I suppose."

Anakin nodded, then looked around. They're wanderings had finally taken them to his quarters. Glancing at the chrono, he saw that between talking, and meditations, an hour had passed since the duel. Surprised, he headed towards the door.

"Oh, and Anakin," Obi-Wan called after him, "I like the arm."

To Anakin, amid talks about subjects of galactic importance, the comment seemed hilariously funny. He started laughing, and couldn't stop until he was back in his quarters.

*     *     *

Obi-Wan chuckled, as he walked down the corridor with the vague notion of heading to the archives. His parting comment had been intended to lighten his former padawan's dark mood, and it had succeeded marvelously. Still, Obi-Wan thought wryly, I have the distinct feeling that more of my mood rubbed of on him, than the other way around. Even so, he was feeling more hopeful than in weeks.

Sometimes, even in the darkest times, Obi-Wan knew, talking with someone could alleviate almost any fears. It was a remedy beyond anything an Emdee droid could prescribe. As long as he had someone like Anakin, a person he could talk to and confide in, he knew he'd be alright. Relationships are the best medicine.

He thought back to their duel, frowning. He hoped Anakin had gotten his message. He was an excellent lightsabre duelist, but he too often acted in anger and fear. At best, it would only cloud his judgment, and at worst…well, one only had to look at Count Dooku for a worst-case scenario.

He was still shivering over the thought of Anakin going over to the Dark Side, when he sensed a presence behind. Turning around, he saw it was none other than…

"Master Yoda!" Obi-Wan cried, in genuine delight. The diminutive Jedi Master always had some useful insight into his problems.

"Greetings, Master Obi-Wan. How feel you, today?" Yoda inquired, in his own unique brand of basic.

Of course, Yoda knew exactly how he was feeling, and Obi-Wan knew it.

He smiled wryly. "Well, even if I said that I was fine, I don't suppose you'd believe, now would you?"

Yoda laughed appreciatively, a coughing, "hep, hep," then continued. "No, Master Obi-Wan, sensed your dark mood, I did, the moment I returned." With a gesture of his hand, he rose up in the air, more smoothly than any repuslorlift chair, and turned to face him. "Tell me, Master Obi-Wan, what's troubling you?"

Obi-Wan began to talk about his concerns; the Disruptor, the missing Jedi, and the trouble in the Senate, with Yoda giving small nuggets of advice, from time to time. When he reached the part about Maloar, however, Yoda shook his head.

"Felt it, I did. Terrible, this tragedy is." Looking up at Obi-Wan, he added, "Keep a closer eye on Palpatine, I feel we should."

Obi-Wan nodded. There were times when something about Palpatine seemed…not quite right. He said all the rights things, at the right times, but it almost seemed too sincere to be genuine. Obi-Wan had never trusted politicians, and he often wondered what Palpatine's hidden agenda might be. That, coupled with their orders becoming more and more ruthless…

"I agree."

They continued down the hallways, Obi-Wan walking, Yoda, floating, discussing everything from Anakin's new training lightsabre, to Yoda's adventures over the past few months. Obi-Wan, however, had a different subject he wanted to broach, something he couldn't talk about with Anakin.

Finally, Yoda picked up on it. "More to say, have you, Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, Master. I must say, I am concerned for Anakin." He told Yoda about the duel, and Anakin's increasing anger. "I know he's no longer my padawan, but I still feel a certain…obligation towards him," he finished.

"Noticed this, I have," Yoda said gravely. "Hiding something, I think he is."

Obi-Wan was surprised. He hadn't picked up on any deceit on Anakin's part, but then, Yoda was much stronger in the Force than he was. Reaching out, he saw that Yoda was right; there did seem to be something that wasn't quite right with his former apprentice.

Concerned, he said, "Perhaps I better go check on him," and headed off towards his quarters.

When he got there, he was surprised to find the door locked. Anakin usually only locked the door when he was meditating, so he wouldn't be disturbed. But nothing in Anakin's sense implied that he was in meditation. In fact, he seemed positively upbeat.

Frowning, Obi-Wan used the Force to unlock the door, and barged in. What he saw, shook him to the core.

Anakin was sitting at the communications terminal, talking to a very shocked, and very pregnant, Senator Amidala.

From the thoughts that ran freely from Anakin's stunned mind, Obi-Wan got a very clear picture of what was going on.

"Anakin."

*     *     *

Anakin was still laughing, as he sat down at his communications terminal. A talk with Obi-Wan could almost always cheer him up. He pressed a button, keying for a long-range transmission, and sat back to wait. It would take a few minutes to establish a connection.

Finally, a face appeared. The face that he was risking everything for. The face he loved. Padme's face.

She smiled, which only made her look more beautiful.

"Hi, Annie," she said.

Anakin growled in mock-anger. "I told you, don't call me Annie."

"Okay. How about Snufflemuffins? Or Schnoofie Poops?"

He put on a pained look. "I think I was better with Annie."

"Too late!" she crowed, laughing triumphantly.

Anakin smiled. Something about Padme could cheer him up instantly. They were soul mates, and nothing would ever change that.

They continued chatting for a while, talking about their fears, and joys, triumphs and falls. Belatedly, however, Anakin realized that someone was outside the door. He tried to end the transmission, but it was too late. Obi-Wan rushed into the room, then stood there in shock. Anakin was too stunned to react.

It had been hard work, keeping his marriage to Padme a secret, especially from a temple full of Jedi. He had had to focus for every second of every minute, to keep a stray thought from escaping and giving him away. Now, with his former master standing right in front of him, everything was flowing from his mind. Finally, he clamped down on his thoughts, but from the look on Obi-Wan's face, he knew it was too late. He had been discovered.

"Anakin," was all he said, with a mixture of outrage and sadness.

----- Author's Notes -----

Yay! Chapter Three = done! Anyway, if ever I needed some feedback, it's now. This is definitely a dialogue-based chapter, and I never felt that I was as good at dialogue as I was at narrative. Please review, with suggestions as to how I can improve my dialogue. Anyway, I'm thinking that Chapter 4 will be another Boba chapter, so watch out for it soon.

Okay, I made a major edit to this chapter. Now, instead of the Death Star, the Jedi discovered the Disruptor, a new planet destroying superweapon. Don't worry, the Death Star will come in later.

Now, to my reviewers, I can't tell you how much your feedback helped. Whenever I felt tired of writing, I just looked at the reviews, and was able to continue. Now, as for the questions you raised:

Hypercaz asked whether Darth Vader knew about the twins. Well, the way I figure it, he knew that Padme was pregnant, so when he found Luke, he thought that pregnancy was accounted for, and that he had a son. He wouldn't have known, however, that Padme had twins, and thus, wouldn't have figured it out until he took it from Luke's mind in ROTJ.

Qurahn, I know what you mean about Anakin and Padme. I thought it was a good way to show that they had a history, and that they were comfortable talking to each other, but even as I wrote it, I thought it was a bit earthy.