Sandstorm Part 2
After dinner the family returned to their apartment towers. Upon leaving the restaurant, Luke had suggested that they go club-hopping, just to see his uncle's horrified expression. Han liked the idea, but Leia immediately vetoed it.
"Thank goodness your sister's got some sense," Owen said as they drove home.
"I was just kidding, Uncle Owen," Luke told him with a grin. "I love to see that vein in your forehead start throbbing."
"Glad to know my migraines amuse you," his uncle replied dryly.
Anakin had to smile at the exchange. He still felt saddened at the knowledge that he would never know Luke and Leia as children, but just watching his son interact with Owen and Beru gave him a glimpse of that past.
He cast a surreptitious glance at the Lars. They could tell him so much about Luke. All the little details and idiosyncracies that mean everything to a parent. They were the only ones who could tell him what Luke had been like as a little boy, the things he'd said and done, what it had been like to raise him.
He wanted so much to be able to talk with them about Luke. And about Shmi, as well. They had known his mother well. In some ways, perhaps even better than he had. His memories of Shmi were the memories of a young child for his mother. They'd been very close, of course, but still, their relationship had never been allowed to progress.
Owen and Beru had been teenagers when Cliegg Lars and Shmi had married, and they had known her as a stepmother and a friend. Their relationship with her had been different, perhaps more enlightening.
He desperately wanted-needed-to hear their memories, and see both his son and his mother from their eyes. But there was still a wall between himself and the Lars. They had gotten to a point where they could tolerate his presence and even talk politely about inconsequential matters. It was a step in the right direction, Anakin supposed, but there was a lot of tension, too.
He could see it in the veiled anger that sometimes crept into their eyes, the sense of unease he felt from them whenever he was near. He was afraid to try to have a personal conversation with Owen and Beru yet, afraid he would somehow unleash a dam of resentment and fear, and ruin the tentative steps towards a better relationship.
Well, maybe someday he and the Lars would be more comfortable with one another and then they could share the memories of both the boy and the mother they all loved.
Anakin sighed. If Luke had his way and Owen and Beru ended up living with them on Naboo, they would definitely be spending more time together. And Anakin couldn't help having mixed feelings about that.
Ever since he and his guardians had found each other again, Luke had been spending lots of time with them. Time that he'd normally spent with his father. Anakin understood that Luke and the Lars needed and deserved to have some time alone. They were all so thrilled to be reunited, and they needed to learn about the experiences they'd all had during the years they'd been apart. Anakin didn't want to begrudge them that chance.
But he couldn't help feeling lonely sometimes. He and Luke were so close- part of each other's souls, really-and he missed his son dreadfully when Luke was gone too long.
The only good thing about Luke staying away was that it had given him a chance to spend more time with Leia and Han. He sometimes felt guilty about Leia. Well, guiltier. Seemed like he always felt ashamed and remorseful when he thought about his past relationship with any of his family. But even now, although he and Leia were closer than he'd ever dreamed they would be, he didn't spend nearly as much time with her as he did with Luke.
Anakin wasn't sure exactly how to remedy that situation, though. He and Luke had to spend a great deal of time on Naboo, training their padawans, while Leia had to spend most of her time on Coruscant. And just the fact that both Anakin and Luke were Jedi meant that they shared a bond unlike any other.
Besides which, father and son had shared some very emotional, powerful experiences together, beginning with the day Anakin had been redeemed on board the Death Star above Endor. He'd thought then that Luke was dying from the Emperor's vicious attack and had stayed at his son's side for hours, holding him in his arms and begging for another chance to be a father. Luke had miraculously been healed, and they had bonded very strongly from that moment on.
He and Leia had never had a similar experience. It had been more a case of them gradually learning to accept and understand each other. They'd made a lot of progress, but Anakin longed to be as close to his daughter as he was to his son.
So he had enjoyed the time he'd spent with her and her husband these past couple of weeks. But there had been many times, too, when they'd gone off to visit Luke and the Lars, and Anakin had been left all alone.
He didn't want to be selfish and immature. Both his children had a right to their own lives, and he was an adult. He didn't need a babysitter. But he did want to be with them as much as possible. He'd already missed out on so much of their lives, and being near the twins now eased the constant ache in his heart.
And all this meant that he couldn't help feeling a little concerned about his place in Luke's life if Owen and Beru were around all the time.
In the hallway of the apartment complex, Leia gave her brother and father a hug. "I can't believe the holidays went by so fast. We'll miss you."
"We'll miss you, too," Anakin told her, and Luke added, "You are going to see us off in the morning, aren't you?"
Leia nodded, "Yes, if you're planning to leave early, that is. Han and I both have to work tomorrow."
"We're going to leave right after breakfast," Luke replied.
Han yawned. "We better get some sleep then."
Owen nodded. "Yep, that's what I said all along."
But as the Skywalkers and the Lars entered their apartment, Threepio and Artoo met them with the news that Mon Mothma had called earlier and wanted them to contact her when they got in, no matter the hour.
Luke and Anakin exchanged glances.
"That doesn't sound good," Luke remarked as Anakin switched on the communicator and keyed in the Chancellor's private number.
"Anakin, Luke, thank you for returning my call," As always, Mon Mothma's voice was serene, but she looked tired. There were circles under her eyes and tiny worry lines creasing the corners of her mouth. Rebuilding a democratic, galactic government was an exhausting, never-ending job.
"Threepio said you needed to talk with us tonight," Anakin said in concern. "Is there an emergency?"
"Well, perhaps not quite an emergency, but for the citizens of Tatooine, there is a dire situation," Mon Mothma replied. "I know you planned to return to Naboo in the morning so I wanted to speak with you before you left. Could you change your plans and accept a mission instead?"
"To Tatooine?" Anakin asked blankly.
Mon Mothma nodded. "Yes, you see, ever since the Hutts abandoned Tatooine, the planet has been in an economic crisis. Without the illegal businesses of the Hutts, many of the stores, hotels, and cantinas had to close down and consequently many people lost their jobs."
Anakin and Luke both nodded. They had seen that for themselves a few months ago during their mission to find Betta and Keren Miret. The search had led them to Tatooine and they had been appalled at the poor living conditions. Life on Tatooine had never been easy, but lately it had grown even more desperate.
"In an effort to improve the economy, we arranged for a business partnership between Tatooine and the nearby water world of Cerea. Cerea would export water to Tatooine at a very cheap rate, and the people of Tatooine could irrigate and grow japor plants. You know, japor jewelry has become quite popular. In return, Tatooine would sell a percentage of japor to Cerea at a discounted rate, but there should still be enough to sell to other worlds and make a profit."
Mon Mothma sighed. "It seemed like a good plan, mutually beneficial to the peoples of Cerea and Tatooine, and a way to raise the standard of living on your homeworld. But we didn't consider one very important factor. To grow the japor plants, more and more people have left the cities and taken up farming."
"And that's causing trouble with the Tusken Raiders," Luke finished for her. It seemed obvious to anyone who'd lived on Tatooine. There had always been enmity between the sandpeople and the settlers who ventured out beyond the few large cities. The Tusken Raiders zealously guarded the land they believed was theirs. And that was practically the entire planet.
"Yes," she agreed. "There have been increasingly violent conflicts over the last couple of months, and a few days ago, the bloodiest battle yet occurred. A small group of settlers had formed a farming community out beyond your hometown of Anchorhead. The Tuskens attacked during the night and destroyed the community, killing all the humans. Our representatives on Tatooine have asked for our help."
"And you want to send us?" Anakin asked quietly.
"I need someone who has experience with difficult negotiations, who can defend themselves should the situation turn violent, and has knowledge of the culture and peoples involved," Mon Mothma responded. "The two of you fit the bill perfectly." She hesitated. "I know you have personal reasons for wanting to avoid Tatooine, but we need Jedi to handle this, and you're the only ones."
Luke glanced at his father. If Anakin found it too painful to return to Tatooine, he was willing to go himself, but he would greatly prefer for his father to go along, too. The situation sounded volatile, and two Jedi would be better than one. Not to mention that he just enjoyed his father's company, and wanted to be with him. He hoped Anakin could find the strength to accept the mission, but he didn't want to say or do anything to influence his decision.
Anakin was silent for several long moments. He had vowed once that he would never return to Tatooine. It hurt to remember his mother, and his own actions in the Tusken camp. But he had already returned to the desert plantet once, with Luke, when duty had led him there and he had survived. And if he could help to bring about peace and prevent more bloodshed, how could he refuse?
Not to mention that if he did decline the mission, Luke would probably accept it on his own, and there was absolutely no way that Anakin was going to let his son walk into that minefield alone.
"We will accept the mission," he said finally.
Mon Mothma looked visibly relieved. "Thank you. How long will you need to prepare?"
"I think we're ready," Anakin said, and Luke nodded. "Yes, we've already packed our belongings and the Naboo Angel is ready. We can leave in the morning."
"Good. Let me know if you need anything." And Mon Mothma cut the connection.
"So we're heading back home, after all," Owen remarked. He and Beru had watched and listened in silence, but they had paid close attention to the conversation.
"I'm not sure you should go," Anakin began, but Owen cut him off quickly.
"I may not have your Force powers, but I'm not a bad fighter, and I can certainly defend my home and my family. If Beru wants to stay here on Coruscant, that's all right, but I'm going with you to Tatooine."
"We're both going," Beru said firmly. "I've fought at your side before, Owen Lars, and I can do it again."
Anakin looked doubtfully at Luke, hoping his son could convince his guardians that they would be better off remaining on Coruscant, but Luke just shook his head.
"Guess we're all going back home, then."
TBC
After dinner the family returned to their apartment towers. Upon leaving the restaurant, Luke had suggested that they go club-hopping, just to see his uncle's horrified expression. Han liked the idea, but Leia immediately vetoed it.
"Thank goodness your sister's got some sense," Owen said as they drove home.
"I was just kidding, Uncle Owen," Luke told him with a grin. "I love to see that vein in your forehead start throbbing."
"Glad to know my migraines amuse you," his uncle replied dryly.
Anakin had to smile at the exchange. He still felt saddened at the knowledge that he would never know Luke and Leia as children, but just watching his son interact with Owen and Beru gave him a glimpse of that past.
He cast a surreptitious glance at the Lars. They could tell him so much about Luke. All the little details and idiosyncracies that mean everything to a parent. They were the only ones who could tell him what Luke had been like as a little boy, the things he'd said and done, what it had been like to raise him.
He wanted so much to be able to talk with them about Luke. And about Shmi, as well. They had known his mother well. In some ways, perhaps even better than he had. His memories of Shmi were the memories of a young child for his mother. They'd been very close, of course, but still, their relationship had never been allowed to progress.
Owen and Beru had been teenagers when Cliegg Lars and Shmi had married, and they had known her as a stepmother and a friend. Their relationship with her had been different, perhaps more enlightening.
He desperately wanted-needed-to hear their memories, and see both his son and his mother from their eyes. But there was still a wall between himself and the Lars. They had gotten to a point where they could tolerate his presence and even talk politely about inconsequential matters. It was a step in the right direction, Anakin supposed, but there was a lot of tension, too.
He could see it in the veiled anger that sometimes crept into their eyes, the sense of unease he felt from them whenever he was near. He was afraid to try to have a personal conversation with Owen and Beru yet, afraid he would somehow unleash a dam of resentment and fear, and ruin the tentative steps towards a better relationship.
Well, maybe someday he and the Lars would be more comfortable with one another and then they could share the memories of both the boy and the mother they all loved.
Anakin sighed. If Luke had his way and Owen and Beru ended up living with them on Naboo, they would definitely be spending more time together. And Anakin couldn't help having mixed feelings about that.
Ever since he and his guardians had found each other again, Luke had been spending lots of time with them. Time that he'd normally spent with his father. Anakin understood that Luke and the Lars needed and deserved to have some time alone. They were all so thrilled to be reunited, and they needed to learn about the experiences they'd all had during the years they'd been apart. Anakin didn't want to begrudge them that chance.
But he couldn't help feeling lonely sometimes. He and Luke were so close- part of each other's souls, really-and he missed his son dreadfully when Luke was gone too long.
The only good thing about Luke staying away was that it had given him a chance to spend more time with Leia and Han. He sometimes felt guilty about Leia. Well, guiltier. Seemed like he always felt ashamed and remorseful when he thought about his past relationship with any of his family. But even now, although he and Leia were closer than he'd ever dreamed they would be, he didn't spend nearly as much time with her as he did with Luke.
Anakin wasn't sure exactly how to remedy that situation, though. He and Luke had to spend a great deal of time on Naboo, training their padawans, while Leia had to spend most of her time on Coruscant. And just the fact that both Anakin and Luke were Jedi meant that they shared a bond unlike any other.
Besides which, father and son had shared some very emotional, powerful experiences together, beginning with the day Anakin had been redeemed on board the Death Star above Endor. He'd thought then that Luke was dying from the Emperor's vicious attack and had stayed at his son's side for hours, holding him in his arms and begging for another chance to be a father. Luke had miraculously been healed, and they had bonded very strongly from that moment on.
He and Leia had never had a similar experience. It had been more a case of them gradually learning to accept and understand each other. They'd made a lot of progress, but Anakin longed to be as close to his daughter as he was to his son.
So he had enjoyed the time he'd spent with her and her husband these past couple of weeks. But there had been many times, too, when they'd gone off to visit Luke and the Lars, and Anakin had been left all alone.
He didn't want to be selfish and immature. Both his children had a right to their own lives, and he was an adult. He didn't need a babysitter. But he did want to be with them as much as possible. He'd already missed out on so much of their lives, and being near the twins now eased the constant ache in his heart.
And all this meant that he couldn't help feeling a little concerned about his place in Luke's life if Owen and Beru were around all the time.
In the hallway of the apartment complex, Leia gave her brother and father a hug. "I can't believe the holidays went by so fast. We'll miss you."
"We'll miss you, too," Anakin told her, and Luke added, "You are going to see us off in the morning, aren't you?"
Leia nodded, "Yes, if you're planning to leave early, that is. Han and I both have to work tomorrow."
"We're going to leave right after breakfast," Luke replied.
Han yawned. "We better get some sleep then."
Owen nodded. "Yep, that's what I said all along."
But as the Skywalkers and the Lars entered their apartment, Threepio and Artoo met them with the news that Mon Mothma had called earlier and wanted them to contact her when they got in, no matter the hour.
Luke and Anakin exchanged glances.
"That doesn't sound good," Luke remarked as Anakin switched on the communicator and keyed in the Chancellor's private number.
"Anakin, Luke, thank you for returning my call," As always, Mon Mothma's voice was serene, but she looked tired. There were circles under her eyes and tiny worry lines creasing the corners of her mouth. Rebuilding a democratic, galactic government was an exhausting, never-ending job.
"Threepio said you needed to talk with us tonight," Anakin said in concern. "Is there an emergency?"
"Well, perhaps not quite an emergency, but for the citizens of Tatooine, there is a dire situation," Mon Mothma replied. "I know you planned to return to Naboo in the morning so I wanted to speak with you before you left. Could you change your plans and accept a mission instead?"
"To Tatooine?" Anakin asked blankly.
Mon Mothma nodded. "Yes, you see, ever since the Hutts abandoned Tatooine, the planet has been in an economic crisis. Without the illegal businesses of the Hutts, many of the stores, hotels, and cantinas had to close down and consequently many people lost their jobs."
Anakin and Luke both nodded. They had seen that for themselves a few months ago during their mission to find Betta and Keren Miret. The search had led them to Tatooine and they had been appalled at the poor living conditions. Life on Tatooine had never been easy, but lately it had grown even more desperate.
"In an effort to improve the economy, we arranged for a business partnership between Tatooine and the nearby water world of Cerea. Cerea would export water to Tatooine at a very cheap rate, and the people of Tatooine could irrigate and grow japor plants. You know, japor jewelry has become quite popular. In return, Tatooine would sell a percentage of japor to Cerea at a discounted rate, but there should still be enough to sell to other worlds and make a profit."
Mon Mothma sighed. "It seemed like a good plan, mutually beneficial to the peoples of Cerea and Tatooine, and a way to raise the standard of living on your homeworld. But we didn't consider one very important factor. To grow the japor plants, more and more people have left the cities and taken up farming."
"And that's causing trouble with the Tusken Raiders," Luke finished for her. It seemed obvious to anyone who'd lived on Tatooine. There had always been enmity between the sandpeople and the settlers who ventured out beyond the few large cities. The Tusken Raiders zealously guarded the land they believed was theirs. And that was practically the entire planet.
"Yes," she agreed. "There have been increasingly violent conflicts over the last couple of months, and a few days ago, the bloodiest battle yet occurred. A small group of settlers had formed a farming community out beyond your hometown of Anchorhead. The Tuskens attacked during the night and destroyed the community, killing all the humans. Our representatives on Tatooine have asked for our help."
"And you want to send us?" Anakin asked quietly.
"I need someone who has experience with difficult negotiations, who can defend themselves should the situation turn violent, and has knowledge of the culture and peoples involved," Mon Mothma responded. "The two of you fit the bill perfectly." She hesitated. "I know you have personal reasons for wanting to avoid Tatooine, but we need Jedi to handle this, and you're the only ones."
Luke glanced at his father. If Anakin found it too painful to return to Tatooine, he was willing to go himself, but he would greatly prefer for his father to go along, too. The situation sounded volatile, and two Jedi would be better than one. Not to mention that he just enjoyed his father's company, and wanted to be with him. He hoped Anakin could find the strength to accept the mission, but he didn't want to say or do anything to influence his decision.
Anakin was silent for several long moments. He had vowed once that he would never return to Tatooine. It hurt to remember his mother, and his own actions in the Tusken camp. But he had already returned to the desert plantet once, with Luke, when duty had led him there and he had survived. And if he could help to bring about peace and prevent more bloodshed, how could he refuse?
Not to mention that if he did decline the mission, Luke would probably accept it on his own, and there was absolutely no way that Anakin was going to let his son walk into that minefield alone.
"We will accept the mission," he said finally.
Mon Mothma looked visibly relieved. "Thank you. How long will you need to prepare?"
"I think we're ready," Anakin said, and Luke nodded. "Yes, we've already packed our belongings and the Naboo Angel is ready. We can leave in the morning."
"Good. Let me know if you need anything." And Mon Mothma cut the connection.
"So we're heading back home, after all," Owen remarked. He and Beru had watched and listened in silence, but they had paid close attention to the conversation.
"I'm not sure you should go," Anakin began, but Owen cut him off quickly.
"I may not have your Force powers, but I'm not a bad fighter, and I can certainly defend my home and my family. If Beru wants to stay here on Coruscant, that's all right, but I'm going with you to Tatooine."
"We're both going," Beru said firmly. "I've fought at your side before, Owen Lars, and I can do it again."
Anakin looked doubtfully at Luke, hoping his son could convince his guardians that they would be better off remaining on Coruscant, but Luke just shook his head.
"Guess we're all going back home, then."
TBC