Chapter 3: The Continuation
"Am I the only one here who finds this whole thing kinda disturbing?" Han asked the group, throwing one of his arms casually behind Leia on the sofa.
"What? The fact that somehow our entire lives are available for viewing on the Holo?" Anakin replied dryly, "Just wait until it's your turn."
"Well, considering the fact we're only, what, ten minutes in? I think I'll have some time to adjust."
"It is rather unnerving," Padmé admitted. "I certainly hope that the majority of these discs are not about us."
"I'm not too sure I can stomach watching myself – I don't think all the time in the world will help me adjust." Luke commented, staring at his mother with a look of awe on his face. This whole scenario was still rather surreal, and he couldn't quite figure out which part of this ordeal had him the most on edge. Was it the realization that his life was going to be on display for this entire group? Or was it the fact that he was currently sitting across from two people who should be dead and one who was last seen with a blazing red lightsaber reflecting against his black helmet over the windy chasm of Bespin.
Obi-Wan looked over to Luke kindly, "It is not as daunting as it seems."
EXT. SKYSCRAPER LEDGE - NIGHT
An armor-clad bounty hunter, JANGO FETT, waits on the ledge of a skyscraper as another bounty hunter, ZAM WESELL, a CHANGELING, steps from her hovering speeder and approaches FETT.
ZAM WESELL: I hit the ship, but they used a decoy.
"Ani – is that who tried to kill me?"
"Yes, Senator. Unfortunately."
"It is interesting to note that this footage is available to us," Obi-Wan stated offhandedly. "I wonder what else is going to be available to us."
JANGO FETT: We'll have to try something more subtle this time, Zam. My client is getting impatient.
FETT hands ZAM a transparent tube about a foot long containing centipede-like KOUHUNS.
JANGO FETT: Take these. Be careful. They're very poisonous.
"Kriff, they must've really had it out for you. What did you do?"
"She's a Senator – she didn't have to do anything for someone to put a price on her head." Leia muttered bitterly.
ZAM attaches her veil across the bottom of her face. She turns to leave, but FETT calls her back.
JANGO FETT: Zam, there can be no mistakes this time.
She turns again, and walks toward her speeder.
"I didn't need to see that," Padmé whispered. "I'm not comfortable with this."
"I apologize if this does not sound sincere, Senator, but I do not think this is going to be easy on any of us." Obi-Wan replied, looking over to Anakin who looked towards the former Queen with pity.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, MAIN R0OM - NIGHT
The door to the apartment slides open, and OBI-WAN enters.
OBI-WAN: Captain Typho has more than enough men downstairs. No assassin will try that way. Any activity up here?
ANAKIN: Quiet as a tomb. I don't like just waiting here for something to happen to her.
OBI-WAN checks a palm-sized view scanner he has pulled out of his utility belt. It shows a shot of ARTOO by the door, but no sign of PADME on the bed.
OBI-WAN: What's going on?
ANAKIN shrugs.
ANAKIN: She covered the cameras. I don't think she liked me watching her.
"Well could you blame me?" Padmé asked innocently. "We had just reunited after ten years apart Ani – and you were trying to watch me sleep."
"I – we – were trying to protect you!"
"You put cameras in her room?" Han snorted. "Why not just hang out in there and watch for the threat?"
"I don't think that's much better, Han." Luke shook his head. "I would've gone with the cameras as well."
"Thank you, Luke." Padmé said, giving her son a thankful smile "Like I said previously, this entire ordeal makes me extremely uncomfortable. Having cameras in my room or Jedi is not my ideal way of sleeping. Besides, I had my own solution."
OBI-WAN: What is she thinking?
ANAKIN: She programmed Artoo to warn us if there's an intruder.
"R2?" Luke exclaimed.
"You programmed a droid. But, not just any droid – that droid? That was your grand idea?"
"If you knew R2, you would know how fiercely capable he is." Padmé retorted, staring down Han.
"Trust me, I know all about that little droid's fierceness."
"You know R2-D2?" Anakin asked, mildly impressed. Anakin looked at Padmé who did not share his look of surprise. Of course, it hadn't dawned on Anakin that his son would inherit his droid companions. He wondered if Luke had retained C-3PO as well – it would be shameful to separate that duo.
Luke shifted uncomfortably, "I have an R2 unit, but I'm sure you'll see him when the time is right."
OBI-WAN: It's not an intruder I'm worried about. There are many other ways to kill a Senator.
ANAKIN: I know, but we also want to catch this assassin. Don't we, Master?
OBI-WAN: You're using her as bait?
ANAKIN: It was her idea... No harm will come to her. I can sense everything going on in that room. Trust me.
"Famous last words," Obi-Wan chuckled, shaking his head at his Padawan.
"Sounds like someone else I know," Leia said, gently hitting Luke in the side with her elbow. Padmé couldn't help but grin at the duo, maybe they did have a positive relationship after all.
OBI-WAN: It's too risky... and your senses aren't that attuned, young apprentice.
ANAKIN: And yours are?
OBI-WAN: Possibly.
"When will you learn to trust Obi-Wan, Anakin?" Padmé teased affectionately. She knew the relationship between the Master and apprentice had been somewhat strained as of late, but it was nice to be able to see their relationship in its usual state.
"I do trust him – with my life." Anakin swore proudly. Luke couldn't help but look at his father with a sudden burst of sadness. This – man – professing his trust for Ben couldn't possibly be the same man who had murdered him in cold blood? What had happened to the both of them? Why had Ben become an isolated hermit who refused to acknowledge Anakin Skywalker? Why had there been such hostility between the duo?
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
As PADMÉ sleeps, a PROBE DROID approaches outside her window. It sends out several small arms that attach to the window, creating sparks that shut down the security system. Then a large arm cuts a small hole in the glass. A FAINT SOUND is heard as the small section of glass is removed from the window.
"Are you okay, Padmé?" Leia asked tentatively, staring at the woman on the opposite couch sandwiched between Obi-Wan and Anakin – an identical mirror image to herself and her boys. She knew this event must have been unpleasant to relive.
"Yes, thank you for your concern. Anakin and Obi-Wan took care of me," She looked between the two men fondly.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, MAIN ROOM - NIGHT
ANAKIN and OBI-WAN continue their conversation in the main room of the apartment.
OBI-WAN: You look tired.
ANAKIN: I don't sleep well, anymore.
OBI-WAN: Because of your mother?
Luke sat up a bit straighter in his seat. Growing up with only his aunt and uncle left Luke with many questions regarding his family and their history. Learning that Darth Vader was his father had merely been the tipping point for Luke's confusion and hopelessness regarding his family tree. Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru did not like to talk about Luke's family – Luke now knowing why – but this was something that Luke still struggled with. How did someone as seemingly normal as Anakin Skywalker transform into the monster that is Darth Vader? Did it have something to do with his upbringing? His mother? Luke was determined to learn as much as possible about his family during his time in the past, and hoped that he would be able to gain a glimpse of the grandmother he had never known.
ANAKIN: I don't know why I keep dreaming about her.
Anakin looked away from the holo; he was disgusted with himself. If he had listened to himself and his dreams his mother would still be alive. He did this to her. Looking back at this holo only made it more clear. Her death was entirely his fault and he would forever have to live with the pain that brought him.
Padmé subtly placed her hand on Anakin's arm. She wished she could comfort him in that moment – she knew what was going on in Anakin's head – but she also knew that they could not afford Obi-Wan to discover the current progression of their relationship. Seeing the aftermath of his mothers death and the inevitable effect that it had on Anakin had only encouraged her silence. If Obi-Wan were to discover their relationship now, with Anakin in such a delicate state of potentially having to relive his mothers demise, it would not end well for the trio.
OBI-WAN: Dreams pass in time.
ANAKIN: I'd rather dream of Padmé. Just being around her again is … intoxicating.
Han rolled his eyes, "how can you sit next to him? I've only been here a half hour and the flattery is absolutely sickening."
"It's a work in progress I'm afraid," Obi-Wan laughed half-heartedly. He knew that Anakin's obsession with the Senator still permeated to the present day. He wasn't quite sure of what to make of it, or what to do about it. Attachment was forbidden for the Jedi, but could he really punish Anakin for his thoughts? It wasn't as if he was actively pursuing Padmé.
OBI-WAN: Mind your thoughts, Anakin, they betray you. You've made a commitment to the Jedi order... a commitment not easily broken… and don't forget she's a politician. They're not to be trusted.
"Did you hear that, Princess?"
"Loud and clear, Captain."
"Obi-Wan!" Padme laughed, "I thought you liked me!"
"I apologize. However, given the light of recent events – can you blame my distrust of politicians?"
"I suppose not."
ANAKIN: She's not like the others in the Senate, Master.
OBI-WAN: It's been my experience that Senators are only focused on pleasing those who fund their campaigns ... and they are more than willing to forget the niceties of democracy to get those funds.
"I can't say I disagree with you, Master Kenobi," Leia said diplomatically. Leia's love for politicians did not blind her towards the many issues that come along with democracy.
"Thank you, Leia."
ARTOO wakes up, and his lights go on. The PROBE DROID freezes. ARTOO looks around, makes a PLAINTIVE LITTLE SOUND, then shuts down again. The PROBE DROID attaches a little tube to the window. TWO DEADLY LOOKING CENTIPEDE-LIKE KOUHUNS exit the tube, crawl through the blinds and head toward the sleeping PADME.
"Ugh. Absolutely disgusting. And you didn't wake up?" Han questioned.
"Do you hear how silent they were? Besides, as I said I had programmed R2 to keep watch of myself and the room."
"Never trust a droid. Trust me – nothin' good comes from those things."
ANAKIN: Not another lecture, Master. Not on the economics of politics ... it's too early in the morning... and besides, you're generalizing. The Chancellor doesn't appear to be corrupt.
OBI-WAN: Palpatine's a politician, I've observed that he is very clever at following the passions and prejudices of the Senators.
ANAKIN: I think he is a good man. My ...
ANAKIN looks stunned. He looks sharply at OBI-WAN
OBI-WAN: I sense it, too.
"That was quite impressive," Luke said, avoiding his fathers eye.
"It was, wasn't it." Anakin smiled, pleased that his son was able to bear witness to his Jedi skills in their prime. He wondered if he was just as impressive in the future.
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT, BEDROOM - NIGHT
ARTOO sounds an alarm and shines a light on the bed. THE KOUHUNS are inches from PADME'S face. Their mouths are open, and wicked stinger tongues flick out.
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN burst into the room. The KOUHUNS stand on their hind legs and hiss as PADME wakes up. ANAKIN throws himself in front of her, whacking in half the deadly creatures with his lightsaber.
"Admittedly, I think that was even more impressive," Leia stated.
"I could've done the same thing with my blaster," Han boasted.
"Whatever you say laser-brain."
OBI-WAN sees the DROID outside the window and races straight at it, crashing through the blinds as he goes through the window.
EXT. WINDOW LEDGE, APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
OBI-WAN flies through the glass window and flings himself at the PROBE DROID, grabbing onto the deadly machine before it can flee. The PROBE DROID sinks under the weight of OBI-WAN but manages to stay afloat and fly away, with the Jedi hanging on for dear life, a hundred stories above the city.
"Wow! Did you just jump out of that window? Did you know where you were going to land? Or was that all instinct?" Luke grinned, staring at Ben Kenobi with a newfound level of respect. He had the utmost amount of respect for Ben at all times, but seeing him this young and in his full Jedi glory was surreal for Luke. He wished Ben could've trained him that way he had trained his father – he would have loved to have experienced that much time and training with Ben.
"Yeah, Master – do tell. Did you plan on jumping out of that window? Or were you feeling a bit reckless that night?" Anakin teased.
"Please Anakin, I am trying to watch the holo."
INT. SENATE BUILDING, AMIDALA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
ANAKIN and PADMÉ stare at the sight of OBI-WAN being carried off by the DROID. ANAKIN turns to her. She pulls her nightdress around her shoulders.
ANAKIN: Stay here!
CAPTAIN TYPHO, with TWO GUARDS and DORME, enter the room as Anakin dashes out.
DORME: Are you alright, milady?
EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The PROBE DROID sends several protective electrical shocks across its surface, causing OBI-WAN to almost lose his grip. As they dart in and out of the speeder traffic, OBI-WAN disconnects a wire on the back of the DROID. Its power shuts off! OBI-WAN and the DROID drop like rocks. OBI-WAN realizes the error of his ways and quickly puts the wire back. The DROID'S systems light up again and it takes off.
EXT. SENATE APARTMENTS - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
ANAKIN charges out of the building and runs to a line of parked speeders. He vaults into an open one and takes off, gunning it fast toward the lines of speeder traffic high above.
"Ani, did you steal a speeder?"
"I'm defending your safety, Obi-Wan jumped out of a window, and yet I'm in trouble for borrowing a speeder?"
"See Leia, I told you – I borrow things all the time."
"You steal things, Han. Similarly to Mr. Anakin Skywalker here."
"It was once; and please, call me Anakin."
EXT. CITYSCAPE, CORUSCANT - NIGHT
The DROID bumps against a wall, hoping to knock the Jedi loose. It moves behind a speeder afterburner to scorch him. It takes the JEDI wildly between buildings and finally skims across a rooftop as OBI-WAN is forced to lift his legs, tenaciously hanging onto the DROID. The DROID heads for a dirty, beat-up speeder hidden in an alcove of a building about twenty stories up. When the pilot of the speeder, a scruffy bounty hunter called ZAM WESELL, sees the DROID approach with OBI-WAN hanging on, she pulls a long rifle out of the speeder and starts to fire at the JEDI.
The DROID suffers a direct hit and blows up. OBI-WAN falls fifty stories, until a speeder drops down next to him, and he manages to grab onto the back end of the speeder and haul himself toward the cockpit. The JEDI struggles to climb into the passenger seat of the open speeder and sit down next to the driver, ANAKIN.
"See? Borrowing a speeder came in handy, Senator."
"Ah yes, without your borrowing skills, Anakin, I'm sure many of our adventures would have turned out a bit worse than our average." Obi-Wan replied to his young apprentice good-naturedly. It was in these moments he truly valued and appreciated Anakin; the young Padawan often was the cause for much of Obi-Wan's distress, but was also a fierce companion, friend, and partner.
"I knew you approved, Master."
OBI-WAN: What took you so long?
ANAKIN: Oh, you know, Master, I couldn't find a speeder I really liked, with an open cockpit...and with the right speed capabilities…
"Oh Ani, was that really the right time?" Padmé shook her head.
"Just trying to lighten the mood."
OBI-WAN: If you'd spend as much time working on your saber skills as you do on your wit, young Padawan, you would rival Master Yoda as a swordsman.
ANAKIN: I thought I already did.
OBI-WAN: Only in your mind, my very young apprentice.
"Forgive me – I've never met Master Yoda, but is he a strong swordsman?" Leia asked the trio on the opposite couch. From what she had briefly seen of the Jedi Master moments before, his size seemed as if it would be an obstacle to his abilities.
"He is unlike anyone I have ever encountered," Obi-Wan replied firmly. "Master Yoda is perhaps the most skilled swordsman ever to grace the Order."
"That little green thing?"
"Han!"
"Master Yoda is very powerful, Han." Luke replied, "Do not judge him by his size."
Anakin grinned at his son proudly; although he is often known for boasting about his own Jedi abilities, Anakin knew that no one compared to Yoda. "You said you are familiar with Yoda in your timeline?"
"Yes," Luke did not elaborate.
As this conversation is going on, ANAKIN deftly moves in and out of the oncoming traffic, across lanes, between buildings, and miraculously through a construction site.
OBI-WAN: Pull up, Anakin! Pull up! You know I don't like it when you do that.
They barely miss a commuter train
ANAKIN: Sorry, Master. I forgot you don't like flying.
OBI-WAN: I don't mind flying, but what you're doing is suicide!
"You two really went through all of this trouble?" Padme asked, turning to look between the Master and padawan. "And Ani, are you normally this reckless with Obi-Wan?"
"Oh, Senator, you have no idea," Obi-Wan shook his head.
"I personally would like to know what happened to, "we're here to protect you Senator, not to start an investigation." Han mimicked sarcastically.
"Don't let him fool you, Obi-Wan loves a good chase." Anakin grinned.
ZAM WESSEL turns into oncoming traffic, deliberately trying to throw the JEDI off. Oncoming speeders swerve, trying to avoid ZAM and the JEDI. They race at high speed across a wide, flat surface of the city planet.
They chase the BOUNTY HUNTER through a power refinery. ZAM shoots a power coupler causing voltage, like lightning, to jump across a gap from one coupler to another. ANAKIN stays on course, piloting the speeder directly through the arc. ANAKIN and OBI-WAN'S bodies ripple with blue power.
OBI-WAN: Anakin! How many times have I told you to stay away from the power couplings!
Huge electrical bolts shoot between the buildings as the speeders pass.
OBI-WAN: (sarcastically) Oh, that was good…
"Do we look this stupid when we pull stunts like this?" Han demanded of Luke and Leia.
"Well, considering the fact that we have yet to drive through power couplings – no. But, don't you get any ideas." Leia declared sternly, staring up at the smuggler besides her.
"You – you've gotten into speeder chases before?" Padmé asked, looking between her twins nervously. First her husband and now her children? Were all of the Skywalker's destined to partake in potential life-endenturing shenanigans? And Ani said the senate was stupid and dangerous.
Anakin bit his lip and looked at the floor. Would Luke really be his son if he didn't pull stupid stunts while flying? What did Padmé expect? While only knowing his son for, give or take, an hour, Anakin had already determined that his son would have his predisposition for dangerous situations – if the quickly drawn lightsaber and time traveling wasn't an indicator already.
"Not necessarily speeder chases," Luke admitted, sheepishly.
ZAM goes up and down, through cross-traffic. There is a near miss as a speeder almost hits them. ZAM turns down and left between two buildings. ANAKIN pulls up and to the right
OBI-WAN: Where are you going?! He went that way.
ANAKIN: Master, if we keep this chase going any longer, that creep's gonna end up deep fried. Personally, I'd very much like to find out who he is and who he's working for. This is a shortcut. I think.
"I have to agree with the kid here," Han admitted. "Any longer that guy wouldn't be any good for information."
"Obi-Wan agreed with me too," Anakin grinned. "He's just too stubborn to admit it."
ANAKIN turns up a side street, zooming up several small passageways, then stops, hovering about fifty stories up.
OBI-WAN: Well, you've lost him.
ANAKIN: I'm deeply sorry, Master.
OBI-WAN: That was some shortcut, Anakin. He went completely the other way! Once again, you've proved …
ANAKIN looks around front and back. He spots something.
ANAKIN: If you'll excuse me …
ANAKIN jumps out of the speeder. OBI-WAN looks down and sees Zam's speeder about five stories below them cruising past.
OBI-WAN: I hate it when he does that.
"You jumped out of a speeder!"
Anakin couldn't figure out who said it the loudest – his wife or his son. His wife's yell was of pure fear and indignation, whereas Luke's shout contained a mixture of awe and envy. Anakin knew that this was something that Padmé would not forget easily; not only was she fearful for his life, defending her no less, but it seemed that his son was just as intrigued by his maneuver, much to the dismay of his mother. He wondered if he was inspiration for Luke's decision-making in the future – if his son was just as reckless as himself. Anakin took a deep breath. Even after only knowing his son for a short period of time, he couldn't imagine him being hurt in any capacity. Maybe his irrational decision-making days were numbered.
Obi-Wan gave the group a look of pure exasperation that simply said, "see?"
ANAKIN miraculously lands on top of the Bounty Hunter's speeder. The speeder wobbles under the impact. ZAM looks up and realizes what has happened.
ZAM takes off, and ANAKIN slides to the back strut and almost slips off, but manages to hang on. ANAKIN works his way back to the speeder's cockpit, just as ZAM stops suddenly, and ANAKIN flies forward to the left front fork. ZAM shoots at him with a laser pistol. There is a BLAST near ANAKIN'S hand, which breaks off a piece of the speeder. ANAKIN slides to the right fork of the speeder, where ZAM can't reach him. He scrambles to the top, holding onto an air scoop.
"This is, without a doubt, one of the most reckless and irresponsible things that I have ever seen." Leia stated flatly.
"Really? After everything? This is what you find the most reckless and irresponsible?" Luke laughed.
OBI-WAN has jumped into the driver's seat of his speeder and is deftly gaining on the rogue speeder. The two speeders dive through oncoming traffic and then through cross traffic. Finally, ANAKIN is able to get hold of his lightsaber and starts to cut his way through the roof of the speeder. ZAM takes out her laser pistol and starts firing at the helpless JEDI, knocking the sword out of his hand. OBI-WAN races under the speeder and catches the Jedi weapon in the passenger's seat.
"Oh no," Luke muttered, staring at Anakin's fallen lightsaber on the holo. Knowing that Anakin's lightsaber – Vader's – lightsaber was often a victim of plummeting down offered a bit of relief to the young Skywalker. Clearly, the weapon had a reputation of falling that was not his fault.
"Thank you, Master." Anakin said quietly.
"Let's not make a habit of this, shall we, my young apprentice?"
ANAKIN sticks his hand into the cockpit and pulls the gun out of ZAM'S hand. She grabs the Jedi's hand, and they struggle for the weapon. It goes off, blowing a hole in the floor of the speeder. The speeder careens wildly out of control. ZAM struggles to pull the speeder out of its nose dive. OBI-WAN gets slowed down by traffic and loses sight of the Bounty Hunter's speeder.
Just as the dragster is about to nose dive into the ground, ZAM pulls it out, and it slides hard on the pavement in a shower of sparks. ANAKIN goes flying into the street.
EXT. ENTERTAINMENT STREET - NIGHT
ZAM exits the crashed speeder and runs. ANAKIN picks himself up off the pavement and runs down the very crowded street.
"Talk about your crash landing, huh?"
"We would know, wouldn't we, Han."
"Hey – I didn't ask for your opinion, your worship."
It's the seedy underbelly of the city. Broken sidewalks, garish lights reflected on the filthy puddles. It's pretty crowded with various ALIEN LOW-LIFES, PANHANDLING DROIDS, and the occasional group of UPPERCLASS SLUMMERS.
ANAKIN barges into several of them as he chases after the fleeing ZAM. He loses the Bounty Hunter in the crowd, then sees him again. The young Jedi is having a very difficult time getting through the crowd.
Ahead, ZAM turns in through a door and disappears.
A nightclub sign is flashing over the door. ANAKIN is just about to follow ZAM when there is a sudden swirl of litter from down thrusters. PEOPLE start moving out of the way, and the open speeder lands in the street beside him. OBI-WAN gets out and walks over, holding out ANAKIN'S lightsaber.
OBI-WAN: Anakin!
ANAKIN: She went into that club, Master.
OBI-WAN: Patience. Use the Force. Think.
ANAKIN: Sorry, Master.
OBI-WAN: He went in there to hide, not run.
ANAKIN: Yes, Master.
OBI-WAN: Here. Next time try not to lose it.
ANAKIN: Yes, Master.
OBI-WAN: This weapon is your life.
OBI-WAN hands ANAKIN the lightsaber.
ANAKIN: I try, Master.
OBI-WAN walks ahead through the club entrance. ANAKIN follows him.
Luke hung his head low. He knew that losing his lightsaber on Bespin was one of his lowest moments; Ben had trusted him. He had given him that weapon with the understanding and clarity that Luke would protect it and use it well. Of course Luke had reconstructed a new lightsaber for himself, a Jedi needed his weapon after all, but clearly that blue lightsaber held such significance for Ben to hold onto it for almost twenty years – a reminder of these "glory days" with his father perhaps. He had failed Ben. Luke prided himself on the fact that he was nothing like his father, but here he was, losing that very same lightsaber and listening to the speech that Ben had lectured his father with. He wondered, if Ben were still around in his timeline, if he would have been on the receiving end of the same speech.
INT. NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN enter the nightclub bar, and everyone stares at them
OBI-WAN: Why do I think you are going to be the death of me?!
Luke's blood turned cold; this man – no – this machine would ultimately be the death of Ben Kenobi. He must not get this Anakin Skywalker confused with Darth Vader from his present timeline. These seemingly two different people are ultimately one entity of destruction, terror, and death. He reminded himself that he would have to separate his feelings for this young padawan on the holo with that of the red-wielding lightsaber machine he had last seen less than a year ago. They were the same person – Luke could not forget that. He wouldn't forget that.
Luke had only been in the past for a short amount of time, and had seen even less of the dynamic between Anakin and Ben, but he knew that this relationship was one that Ben valued and cherished. Why else would he speak so highly of his father in both the past and present? Whatever had made Master and Padawan turn on each other could not be insignificant if it had broken a brotherhood. This was a feud well over twenty years old. Something had broken this bond; something had ruined both Ben and Anakin's feelings and kinship towards one another, and, from one Luke could gather, he had the strangest suspicion it had something to do with the beautiful young woman between them. It didn't seem as if Padmé and Anakin were affront about their feelings for one another – hell – if Luke didn't know any better he would assume that his parents were not together in this timeline.
From an outsider's position it appeared as if his father had an unrequited crush on his mother. But, if that were the case, why would she protect Anakin when Luke had drawn his lightsaber?
ANAKIN: Don't say that Master. You're the closest thing I have to a father.
OBI-WAN: Then why don't you listen to me?
ANAKIN: I am trying.
"Has he gotten any better, Obi-Wan?" Padmé teased.
"Not in the slightest."
OBI-WAN: Can you see him?
ANAKIN: I think he's a she...and I think she is a changeling.
OBI-WAN: In that case, be extra careful. (nods to a room) Go and find her.
ANAKIN: Where are you going, Master?
OBI-WAN: For a drink.
"Now that's my kind of mission," Han grinned, staring at the Jedi Master with a newfound appreciation.
"He wasn't really going to have a drink, right Obi-Wan?" Leia spluttered, looking at Han with utter contempt. "Besides, not everyone needs a drink to actually accomplish something successful.
"Well – as you'll see on the holo–"
"What are you implying?" Han demanded.
"I'm not implying anything," the Princess retorted. "You know precisely what I am saying."
OBI-WAN heads for the bar. ANAKIN blinks in surprise, then moves into the room, where ALIEN FACES look back at him with hostility, suspicion, and invitation as he moves among the tables. OBI-WAN arrives at the bar. He signals the BARMAN.
CLOSE - Somewhere in the room a HAND moves to a pistol in its holster and unsnaps the safety catch. At the bar, a glass is placed in from of OBI-WAN. A drink is poured. He lifts the glass.
ELAN SLEAZEBAGGANO: You wanna buy some death sticks?
OBI-WAN looks at him. He moves his fingers slightly.
OBI-WAN: You don't want to sell me death-sticks.
ELAN: I don't want to sell you death-sticks.
OBI-WAN moves his fingers.
OBI-WAN: You want to go home and rethink your life.
ELAN: I want to go home and rethink my life.
He leaves. OBI-WAN lifts the drink and tosses it back.
Luke grinned at Ben. That Jedi mind trick that Ben has first shown to Luke on Tatooine would stick with the young Jedi for the rest of his life. That was the first moment in which Luke was presented with the opportunity to step through the threshold of something bigger than himself and bigger than a moisture farm on a planet with two suns.
Anakin, too, grinned at his Master, "Even at a bar you're up to your old tricks."
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
CLOSE. The gun is drawn from its holster and held down out of sight. The BOUNTY HUNTER starts to move toward the bar.
ANAKIN checks out ALIEN FACES. OBI-WAN signals for another drink. The gun moves toward his unsuspecting back.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Leia muttered.
"Me too," Padmé admitted. "I don't know if I can watch."
"It's quite alright, Senator. Anakin and I are here now, and, I assure you, we've encountered much worse."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
The drink is poured. OBI-WAN reaches for it. The gun is raised to aim directly at his back, and suddenly OBI-WAN turns fast. His lightsaber flashes. There is a shrill SCREAM and ZAM'S ARM hits the floor. The gun drops from its twitching fingers. Blood spreads.
The room is silent. ALIENS rise menacingly from their seats, and ANAKIN is suddenly at OBI-WAN's side, his lightsaber glowing.
"Could you have done that with your blaster?" Anakin questioned Han innocently. Both Padmé and Obi-Wan shot the blonde man a bemused look. Even surrounded with people from the future, his own son nonetheless, Anakin couldn't help but boast about the skills of the Jedi.
Leia raised an eyebrow at Han in a silent challenge, but Han refused to answer the man across the couch. I think I'm beginning to like these people – Leia thought to herself. Who else could outwit Han Solo aside from herself?
ANAKIN: Easy. Jedi business. Go back to your drinks.
Han began to mutter to himself quietly about "Jedi mumbo-jumbo."
"What was that, Han?" Luke prompted the older man. He knew Han's verbal ranting about the Force would not go over well in the presence of two other Jedi – two who, unlike Luke, would not be afraid to properly demonstrate the lack of comparison between blaster and lightsaber.
"Keep it up, kid."
Slowly, the ALIENS sit. Conversation resumes. Onstage, THE PERFORMERS pick up their routine. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN lift ZAM and carry her out.
EXT. ALLEY OUTSIDE NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN carry ZAM into the alley and lower her to the ground. OBI-WAN attends to her wounded shoulder. She stares up hatefully at ANAKIN. She winces in pain, then nods.
OBI-WAN: Do you know who it was you were trying to kill?
ZAM WESSEL: The Senator from Naboo.
OBI-WAN: Who hired you?
ZAM glares at OBI-WAN.
ZAM WESSEl: It was just a job.
ANAKIN: Who hired you? Tell us. Tell us now!
ZAM glares hatefully.
ZAM: It was a Bounty Hunter called...
There is a sudden FTZZZ sound. ZAM twitches. She blinks in surprise and dies.
There is a WEOOSH from above. OBI-WAN and ANAKIN looks up and seea an ARMOURED ROCKET-MAN taking off from a roof high above. OBI-WAN looks down at ZAM. He touches her neck and pulls out a small, wicked-looking dart.
OBI-WAN: Toxic Dart…
"Well that's unfortunate," Leia commented. "Who shot her? And why are they after you Padmé?"
Padmé smiled softly at the young woman, "All in due time, Leia. All in due time."
"It doesn't matter now," Anakin drawled firmly. "The situation was dealt with and Padmé's alright."
"What I believe my young apprentice is trying to get across, Leia, is that if I'm not mistaken, you will be able to see these events unfold similarly to how we lived them," Obi-Wan affirmed.
"This does absolutely nothing for my nerves," Leia huffed.
EXTERIOR: JEDI TEMPLE - DAY
The tall spires of the Jedi Temple stand out against the blue sky.
INTERIOR: JEDI TEMPLE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY
OBI-WAN and ANAKIN stand in the center of the Council Chamber. The members of the Jedi Council are seated in a circle surrounding the two Jedi.
YODA: Track down this bounty hunter, you must, Obi-Wan.
MACE WINDU: Most importantly, find out who he's working for.
"Is this the Jedi council?" Luke asked excitedly. He couldn't believe it – he would get to see the entire Jedi council. All of the great men and women who had come before him, inspired him, and whose Force practically flowed through the "almost" Jedi.
"Indeed it is," Obi-Wan said fondly. "Tell me, are these not the same council members who are present within your own time."
Luke shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but, before he could retort, Han exclaimed, "These old fossils?"
"Hey, we're talking about the same timeline here where you have Master Yoda," Anakin remarked. "If he's around Master Windu certainly is."
OBI-WAN: What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting.
YODA: Handle that, your Padawan will.
MACE WINDU: Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees.
ANAKIN: As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the Capital.
YODA: Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect.
MACE WINDU: Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter.
The two Jedi exit the Council Chamber.
"And difficult it was," Anakin muttered, throwing his wife a teasing look.
"Hey – I will never go down without a fight. It's not natural to give in to terrorism, let alone to acts of terrorism on a politician. I want to be present for my people and for democracy. It seemed redundant to run away from my people ahead of such unprecedented times," Padmé declared proudly.
"Why does this sound precisely like someone else we know?" Luke commented to Han giving Leia a knowing look.
"Are you a politician as well?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"I suppose you could say that," the Princess sighed.
Padmé beamed at her daughter. Of course her daughter would be involved in politics just like herself. That was the newfound Skywalker way after all; why be a passive member of society when you could be outspoken and make a difference in the galaxy. Anakin and Luke were Jedi clearly, so it made the most sense for Leia to find her own path in the senate as well.
INTERIOR: SENATE BUILDING, PALPATINE'S OFFICE - DAY
ANAKIN and PALPATINE stand at the window of PALPATINE'S office and look out over the vast city.
PALPATINE: I will talk to her. Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that.
ANAKIN: Thank you, your Excellency.
"This is the Chancellor's office of the Old Republic?" Leia formulated, staring between Anakin and the older man on the holo.
"The Old Republic?" Anakin laughed. "Way to make me feel old, Leia."
"I apologize; that – that's what we refer to this time period as."
"Thus insinuating that there must be a New Republic?" Obi-Wan questioned with a raise of his brow. Leia looked away, unable to meet the Jedi Master's eyes. She didn't – no – she couldn't be the one to inform the trio that, in her current timeline, democracy was essentially dead. Obi-Wan continued, "Yes, that is Chancellor Palpatine – leader of the Republic."
"A wonderful man," Anakin grinned proudly. "He sees nothing but the best in people."
Both Luke and Leia sincerely doubted that of what Anakin was boasting of. Neither of them could quite put their finger on it, but something seemed off about this Chancellor. Furthermore, Luke, knowing who his father was, was unable to thoroughly trust the young Jedi's judgment. What did it say about someone when they received a seal of approval from Darth Vader?
PALPATINE: And so, they've finally given you an assignment. Your patience has paid off.
ANAKIN: Your guidance more than my patience.
PALPATINE and ANAKIN turn away from the window and walk through PALPATINE'S office towards the door.
PALPATINE: You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible. I have said it many times: you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met.
Anakin puffed his chest out proudly and glanced over at Padmé. She would be proud of him. She would understand how the Chancellor would not throw such careless words around to any Jedi. Chancellor Palpatine believed in Anakin and believed he should become a member of the Jedi council, unlike his Master. This was something that Anakin deserved and reliving such praise from the Chancellor only encouraged Anakin to seek acceptance and admittance immediately.
Han looked at the holo distrustfully; there was something about that guy that wasn't quite right. He couldn't believe the blue glow-stick wielding idiot across from him would fall for such kriff. Never trust someone who only has positive things to say about you – it's not honesty – it's sucking up. That old man must want something from Luke's dad. Perhaps this man, this Chancellor, had something to do with the lack of relationship between father and son. Han only hoped that the kid had tough enough skin to bear witness to the eventual deconstruction of his father; Luke ended up on Tatooine for a reason.
ANAKIN: Thank you, your Excellency.
PALPATINE: I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi, Anakin. Even more powerful than Master Yoda.
"Not likely," Luke huffed to himself. Anakin was not Master Yoda; in fact, Luke wasn't even sure his father ever attained the title of Jedi master. Sith was the more appropriate title for Anakin Skywalker, not Jedi Master.
"Excuse me?" Anakin questioned, raising an eyebrow at his son. "Did you say something?"
"Not at all."
INTERIOR: JEDI TEMPLE, ATRIUM - DAY
MACE WINDU and OBI-WAN walk along the Temple corridors. YODA accompanies them, riding in a small floating chair.
OBI-WAN: I am concerned for my Padawan. He is not ready to be given this assignment on his own yet.
"Master!"
"I will not apologize Anakin, you were just given the opportunity to bear witness to your reckless actions on the holo only a few moments ago."
"An extremely successful mission, Master!"
"If you call letting the assassin get murdered successful." Han muttered dryly.
"Master, I cannot believe you told Master Yoda and Master Windu that I would not have been capable of having an assignment on my own." Anakin sprouted heatedly. "I was more than capable of escorting Padmé to Naboo safely."
"Anakin, you must understand that I have my own reasons for expressing doubt in your mission."
YODA: The Council is confident in this decision, Obi-Wan.
MACE WINDU: The boy has exceptional skills.
OBI-WAN: But he still has much to learn, Master. His abilities have made him, well, arrogant.
"Ani you know fully well that you can be arrogant," Padmé teased with a smile. "This isn't a secret. I'm sure at this point the entire Republic knows about your Jedi capabilities."
"Yes, but Obi-Wan should trust me," the Padawan muttered to his wife.
"I do trust you Anakin; but I will also not lie to you. There is still much for you to learn about the Force," Obi-Wan replied.
"This has gotten slightly uncomfortable," Han remarked to Luke and Leia. "And that's coming from me."
YODA: Yes, yes. It's a flaw more and more common among Jedi. Hmm. Too sure of themselves they are. Even the older, more experienced ones.
MACE WINDU: Remember, Obi-Wan. If the prophecy is true, your apprentice is the only one who can bring the Force back into balance.
"What prophecy?" Luke questioned; Anakin looked towards his son with mild surprise.