16

The stars were revealed in all their wonder as the two Jedi Starfighters broke through the final layer of atmosphere above Coruscant. The feeling of weightlessness took over for a few seconds as the gravity engines cut on and began sending false weight into the cockpit. Anakin began reviewing the read outs from R2 on his main screen.

"R2, set a course for Ilum, and instruct R7 to do likewise."

The astromech whistled gleefully, obviously overjoyed at the thought of being back in space.

"No, R2," Anakin stated, reading the interpretation of the beeps and whistles. "Begin to calculate a jump now so we'll be able to leave as soon as the hyperdrive rings come around in orbit."

Instantly, he began hearing Obi-Wan's new droid working through the calculations over the commlink. Anakin had finished his part in the pre-jump schedule, and the only thing he could now do was wait. He silently watched the stars slowly revolve as he orbited the planet of Coruscant. As he had thought that night outside the Jedi Temple, the stars were marvelous, as if they played a symphony for his soul. Truly, the stars were Anakin's home. No other place (than Padme's arms) gave him such a sense of freedom. If he wished, he could trail off in any direction he wished. He looked through the port side of his cockpit and watched Obi-Wan finishing his pre-jump schedule.

"Do you know what I can't stand more than flying?"

"No," Anakin replied.

"Waiting while flying."

The two enjoyed a few chuckles before noticing two hyperdrive rings heading toward them in orbit.

"There they are," Anakin said. While watching, he began to believe that those two hyperdrive rings were the keys to unlocking the final chapter in saving Padme's life. Fear began to well within his heart, drowning it once again in it's abyssal current. He knew that fear would only hinder him, but as much as he fought the fear, it consumed him all the more. Perhaps Obi-Wan would help him cure the fear that lay within. Only time would tell.

Palpatine held the Jedi in a chair, locked under heavy bracers as he poured into him the hate that was the values of the Sith.

"Darkness is the only path to tread from here, my friend. You will soon find that the light side of the force is utterly insufficient for these troublesome times."

The Jedi, covered in thick beads of sweat, grunted. It was becoming increasingly apparent of the darkness welling within him.

"I am Eros," He stated with hesitation. "And I serve the Jedi Order. Nothing you can say will change the fact, so you might as well send me to be one with the force right now."

"We will see how you side on the subject soon. You'll find that the Dark Side of the force has so much more to offer than the petty light." Another gut-wrenching laugh echoed through the base. "And when you realize your full potential, we shall dub you with the moniker, Darth Annhil, Lord of the Sith."

Eros, clouded in the shadows of the Dark side, could only moan. It seemed as though the Dark Side was tearing him to pieces. From the inside out. In truth, this was exactly what was happening to him. Palpatine was destroying the proud Jedi Knight that dwelled within, and reconstructing a powerful ally. One that could almost rival Anakin Skywalker.

"Although I must say that you would never match Skywalker in combat if he were using the power of the Dark Side, you may be able to bring him to his knees now. His power is limited now that he has..." The Sith Lord paused, narrowing his eyes. "Fallen from me."

Yoda watched silently as the Senate went through countless nominations for Supreme Chancellor. He gazed down at the many Senators who gave random expressions of appreciation or disapproval.

"Given the recent act to terminate Palpatine as Chancellor," Mas Amedda stated calmly from his postion in the center of the crowd. "We will begin our nominations." The blue skinned being began to go down the list that lay before him on a datapad. Most of the names were often heard in the Senate's chambers, but were rarely identified with faces. As the short list ran out, one name caught Yoda's attention.

"Senator Amidala from Naboo."

Yoda began to chew on his gimer stick, processing the shock.

Anakin docked his Starfighter with the hyperdrive ring, bringing it in with the precision only he could muster. He watched as Obi-Wan did likewise. Within mere moments, both ships were prepped and ready for hyperspace.

Obi-Wan tapped in the final sequence for the jump. "Both droids have calculated the jump, so we're ready."

Anakin took a final survey of his surroundings, giving one final glance to the glowing planet of Coruscant. He almost wished he could have stayed, though he knew that if he didn't the consequences would be deadly. He decided that if there was a way to unravel the mysteries of his prophetic nightmares, Ilum was it. With one final thumbs up through the viewport to Obi-Wan he hit the switch, firing the hyperdrive engines.

"Master, hit it."

With an instaneous flash, the two Starfighters disappeared from Coruscant's gravitational grasp. The stars wheeled above, fading into fleeting blue and white lines.