Hello again! Thanks to all the reviewers, those who added this story to their favorite list, and those who added this story to their story alert list. It is very appreciated. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the other two, especially since I had to look a few things up in the Character Guide and Revenge of the Sith novel (mostly since I forgot the order of events and who are everyone on the Council). Anyway, thanks for reading and enjoy!


Luke was half-listening to Anakin complaining about having to sleep on the couch. God, his parents were weird. He had figured out Padmé was his mother the moment she had opened the door. How much alike she and Leia looked was creepy. And what was Jar Jar? That creature's way of talking was almost as convoluted as Yoda's. Luke was glad that he hadn't had to talk to Jar Jar, either way. "Um..." What should I call him? "Uh. Anakin...?"

"Huh?" Anakin said, finished complaining and now watching the microwave reheat dinner. "What?"

"Was that person, Jar Jar, the one who suggested that Palpatine be given emergency powers?" Luke asked. By now he had decided that there was no doubt that Palpatine was already and still in control of the Republic and Senate.

"Yeah..." Anakin replied. He seemed a little upset by what Padmé had said about Anakin having to sleep on the couch. Luke almost felt like laughing, but had to wonder what had happened to his mother after Anakin had turned to the dark side. They seem to be so happy together... Luke thought. What happened? Anakin cleared his throat. "Hey, do Jedi get married in the time you're from?"

Luke turned to Anakin. That was random. But how was he supposed to answer that question? "Yeah...?" Luke replied, not knowing the real answer and wondering if that was the correct thing to say. "Is there some rule against it now?" Anakin nodded. "Oh. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about you and Senator Amidala."

Anakin's eyes widened. "How did you know? The Jedi Council still hasn't figured it out! Well, besides Obi-Wan, but he's being vague about how he figured it out. And that he just confronted me about it today. I just happened to tell him everything, too." Anakin slammed his fist down on the table out of aggravation and a feeling of hopelessness. "Now I'm most likely going to get kicked out of the Order, and I have no idea why I just said all that to someone who I just met a few hours ago and still don't know the real name of." Sorta, Luke thought. How he ended up calling me by my real name, I'll probably never know. Obi-Wan certainly didn't tell him. I think...

"Just a lucky guess, really," Luke lied in response to Anakin's question. "How long have you been hiding your marriage from the Council?" Luke asked, trying not to sound overly curious.

"A few years. It's funny. Obi-Wan was a lot less disappointed in me than I thought he would be. I feel badly for lying to him all this time, but if people knew..." Anakin shook his head. "And then there's this damn dream I---Maybe I shouldn't talk about that."

Luke shrugged. "It's all right with me. Don't you hate premonitions like that, though?"

"Yeah. They're a real pain in the ass. Especially when every single one you've had comes true," Anakin added and took a sip from the coffee he'd been drinking.

"From my experience, sometimes it's necessary to ignore them to keep the bad ones from becoming true," Luke advised, remembering a nightmare he'd had before Leia had left to go try and save Han from Jabba. Everyone had gotten killed in the nightmare, but that was because Luke hadn't been able to retrieve his lightsaber with the Force when Artoo had launched it; someone else who was a malevolent force in the dream had caught the saber. Back then, he had almost dismissed it for just a bad dream, but he had just been trying to deny that it had been a vision of a possible future. Thankfully, it hadn't come true.

"What is your real name?" Anakin asked suddenly.

"I, uh, I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but... Look, I'll tell you something about the future instead. Is that a fair trade off?" Luke suggested.

Anakin looked at Luke in disbelief. "I'm not so sure I actually want to know anything about the future..." He paused. "I think advice may be in order as a substitute, though." Anakin took a deep breath. "I've talked to one other person who has given me advice of any sort on the dream. Obi-Wan actually asked me, on behalf of the Council to spy on him, too. I---I know I trust Obi-Wan and that he's my best friend, but he... my trust was shaken when he asked me to do that. And the Council still won't make me a Master!"

"Maybe that's because they knew you were lying to them?" Luke suggested.

"No. They---they don't trust me. I don't know who to trust anymore..."

"It might have to do with, I don't know, your inability to control your temper, if it's not that they know you were lying to them."

Anakin waved it off. "That doesn't matter as much as to what I want your opinion on. The dreams I keep having... They're of Padmé dying."

"...Really?" Luke murmured. Now Anakin was getting somewhere.

"This person, the other who gave some advice told a story about a Sith. It was a Sith Lord who could control life itself... Control death... Keep people from dying. Then he went on to say how one's perception of good and evil just depended upon which side you were on. I've respected the Chancellor for a very long time, but I have this suspicion that he's... I can't say it, but..."

"The Dark Side of the Force serves only to destroy. It can't keep people from dying, but it can kill. Trust me... I know that lesson all too well..." Luke replied. He didn't even care that he just might have forever changed the fate of the galaxy. The fact that Palpatine, the architect of his father's demise, was also the one who turned him to the darkness in the first place just served to cause Luke to want to change the past. "Palpatine's a..." Luke stopped himself. "I'm sorry," he said. "I've never respected that man. He did too much to the galaxy..." Luke fell silent. Yeah, now I've changed the future. Brilliant. Leia's so going to yell at me when I get back. I can just imagine her now... I wonder if she'd ever meet Han if our father hadn't turned to the Dark Side... And then we might have never met any of our other friends... Damn. I'm being so selfish, not wanting to change something which would cause millions to live... and Alderaan to still be a planet and not an asteroid field.

"The Chancellor has made a few changes to the government, but they're for the better, in my opinion. Things get decided on more quickly now..."

"But the point of a democracy or republic is that the power belongs to the people and not to an all-powerful despot. In general, there is more corruption in a government where there are no checks and balances than in a government where there are. During a war, however, sometimes that sort of expediency is required, but once it's over, the necessary but constant bickering has to return." Reflecting on what he just said, Luke decided Leia would have been happy with that defense of democracy.

"I hate politics," Anakin said. Luke nodded in agreement. The microwave beeped. "Oh. Food's done," Anakin then said, changing the subject and rushing over to the microwave. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Well... Last night, I think. Maybe lunch yesterday. I really can't remember dinner last night. The party was a little out of control," Luke replied, a little embarrassed.

"Yeah. You looked pretty hungover in the Council Chambers." Anakin paused as he put the food on the table. "Oh, dammit! It's seafood!" he groaned.

"It looks infinitely better than military rations," Luke retorted and started eating. It had been too long since he'd had food that looked anywhere near as good as the food which had been set on the table. "Tastes like it looks, too."

Anakin laughed. "You can say that again."


The next day, Anakin was back at the Jedi Temple, as appointed Palpatine's representative on the Council. Luke was waiting outside, most likely bored. He didn't know why, but Anakin somehow felt like he could trust Luke with his life, even though he had known him for only a day. But right now, he was presenting the data which Palpatine had received from Clone Intelligence to the Council. He remembered Luke's reaction about the conversation Anakin had had with the Chancellor. Why had Luke reacted like that? Anakin sighed and dismissed the thoughts. "...In conclusion, the Chancellor has requested that I lead this mission. Any thoughts?"

"Yes," Mace replied. "The Chancellor does not decide matters which the Council has traditionally decided for themselves." A meaningful stare was sent Anakin's way.

"Regardless, this mission needs a Jedi with a stable and thoughtful mind, not one who would charge into battle without a plan," Adi Gallia mentioned.

"Correct, she is," Yoda agreed.

"And with the current strain on resources, we should probably send only one Jedi," Obi-Wan suggested. Everyone but Anakin (who was rather clueless to what the others were getting at) stared at Obi-Wan. "What? ...You don't mean---"

"Send Obi-Wan we should," Yoda decided.

"Any objections or comments?" Mace asked.

Anakin felt like saying that he would be better, but realized that Obi-Wan probably was the right Jedi for the job. It was strange. If the data had been discovered yesterday, then Anakin thought he would have given the Council hell about not letting him go. How odd. Then, seeing the possibility for a last ditch effort to get rid of Luke, Anakin started, "Hey, if we have such a drain on resources, why don't we send---"

"No," was the unanimous answer from the Council.

"Ok," Anakin replied. He really wasn't upset about it. In fact, he realized that he had had an ulterior motive for suggesting Luke: he seemed like the right person to to the job. Somehow. "Not that I really object to sending Obi-Wan, but why---"

"Later, Anakin," Obi-Wan cut him off. Anakin then realized that the Council was trying to keep Luke's appearance a secret, but Anakin wasn't sure from whom. ...Sidious?

"Then unanimous the decision is. Obi-Wan we will send," Yoda announced.


After the meeting had been dismissed, Obi-Wan and Mace remained behind to speak with Yoda about Luke. As far as Obi-Wan knew, Anakin remained completely oblivious to who Luke really was, even though Anakin was apparently calling Luke by his real name. Padmé had told him that earlier when he had visited her to talk about what Anakin had revealed and what might happen to Anakin's place in the Order. It was actually a pleasant conversation, and she took it all really well. Obi-Wan sighed. "So. Why do you think the Force has done this?"

"Strange ways the Force works in," Yoda replied. That made sense, but provided absolutely no new information. Yoda was a master of talking around things like that.

"I know ti sounds outlandish, but maybe something horrible is about to happen, and the only way to keep it from happening is to bring someone who knows what happened into the past?" Mace suggested.

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Well, there is a specific bit of information that I've figured out. I know exactly who Luke is, and it would explain his reaction to Anakin quite well."

"And?" Mace asked. "Who is he?"

"Obi-Wan. A secret this must stay, you believe," Yoda said.

"It would most likely be for the better if no one else found out. Especially Palpatine, if he is truly being controlled by Sidious. A Dark Lord knowing would spell disaster. Also, there's also the tiny detail which has to do with a certain someone."

"Oh, Force. What has Anakin done this time?" Mace asked, dreading the answer.

"The Council's going to have a long talk about what to do with him about this particular broken rule," Obi-Wan replied, trying to break the news as gently as possible.

"Sounding like a politician, you are. Get to the point, you should," Yoda instructed.

"Well. I think you may have already guessed, but guess what Luke's last name is?"

"Oh dear God," Mace said. "He's Anakin's son? No wonder he didn't want to say his name when Anakin was in the room."

Yoda sighed and shook his head. "Then last of the Jedi he is. Know the identity of the Dark Lord does he. Battled the Sith did he."

Obi-Wan turned to Yoda. "Why do you say that? The future could be without the Sith. The Force could still be balanced."

Mace nodded gravely. "It probably is, Obi-Wan. In the future he's from, the Force is probably balanced so there are no Sith or Jedi. Except for our guest from the future."

"Then do we really want the Force balanced if it means the annihilation of the Jedi?"

"This is why 'Train him we should not,' said I when to the Temple Qui-Gon brought young Skywalker---Anakin," Yoda mentioned, sending a meaningful glance Mace's way. "Told you so I did."

"Then you were correct. Don't rub it in," Mace told Yoda. "It's un-Jedi-like."


Padmé was hosting a meeting of Senators who were dissatisfied with Palpatine's control of the government. Senator Eekway was voicing her concerns about the governors and "security forces" which Palpatine had recently put in place. The most dominant speakers in the meeting were Bail Organa and Mon Mothma. They were the ones most against the recent developments, but what Eekway was starting to suggest... "We can't start another civil war! Not with this one still proceeding!"

"That's the worst outcome for us all," Bail agreed. "I'm not positive on everyone else's system's military, but Alderaan is a peaceful planet with no military! We don't have planetary defenses, even. The last thing we would ever want is to be involved in a war."

"This petition would be a chance for a political outcome to avoid a confrontation," Mon Mothma reiterated. "Like you said, maybe we should involve the Jedi, but we don't know where they stand in this."

Bana Breemu nodded in agreement. "If they were with Palpatine, then asking them for help would be ...unwise, I should think."

"No. The Jedi are as much against Palpatine's measures as we are, if not more," Padmé replied. "They would gladly help." Breemu raised an eyebrow. "One Jedi, then."

"Senator Amidala is quite right," Giddean Danu added. "We need the support of the Jedi. The people believe in them to be morally in the right."

Fang Zar shrugged. "Maybe the petition will be enough to persuade the Chancellor to moderate his tactics lest he force a rebellion."

The Senators then heard someone laughing. Padmé turned around to see Luke standing there. Why was he back? ...Was Anakin there as well? Luke smiled sadly and addressed the Senators. "I'm sorry to ruin your illusions, but nothing short of a rebellion will cause Palpatine to stop. He'll just keep taking power and exploiting planets and people. Maybe the only solution is to stop him before he becomes too powerful?"

Bail Organa stared at Luke, having a sinking feeling that what Luke had said was true. "And what will that accomplish? Besides even more death? We cannot start another war in the middle of this one! And what will happen to the Republic if we lose?"

Luke shrugged. "It could be worse. Palpatine could declare himself Despot-For-Life." A pause. "Look. I'm no politician, but you're just going to have to believe me on this one: a fight is the only way out."

Mon Mothma stared at him. "And what do the Jedi think? Do you know? Would they support us?" Padmé was wondering why Mon Mothma would trust Luke's word more than her's.

"Without a doubt. They'd fight on the front lines, if necessary."

"And why should we believe you?" Breemu demanded. "The Jedi seem more and more concerned with themselves and keeping themselves in power recently. Would they really risk the status they still have to overthrow the Chancellor?"

Luke felt like glaring at the annoying Senator. She was too much like Fey'lya. "First, the Chancellor's the corrupt one, not the Jedi. Furthermore, the Jedi are selfless. Second, the reason you should believe me is that I'm a Jedi myself, and even if some of the Masters on the Council agreed, I have no doubt that they could be convinced otherwise." Even if that means telling them about the Purges, he added silently. "Against Palpatine, they have more to lose than anyone," Luke continued, trying to drive the point home. "Just remember how thin the Jedi are spread out in fighting the Clone Wars. Think about how many clones there are in proportion to the Jedi. If Palpatine turned against the Jedi, think about how quickly the Jedi who are out there fighting for the Republic would die." Thank the Force Anakin had briefed him on the military situation.

"It's almost as if it's planned," Bail murmured. "If Palpatine eliminated the Jedi, then there would be nothing holding him back..."

Padmé just stared at Luke. He had convinced the nonbelievers in the room by stating facts that everyone knew, just put in a way that it all made sense. It almost felt like he was dealing with history, but this was only hypothetical talking. Sure, Palpatine was grabbing for power, but he wouldn't make himself dictator? And why would he be planning the destruction of the Jedi if he wasn't going to declare himself as such? "With the super majority..." Padmé mused. "Palpatine could declare himself, I don't know, Emperor. Then where would the democracy be?"

"Fighting a guerilla war against the injustice of the then Empire," Luke replied. Well, now I'm stuck changing the past for the long run, he realized. I just know Leia will still yell at me, regardless. Actually, the only way this could get worse is if Leia showed up, too. ... ... ... ... Oh, dammit. I just had to think it, didn't I?

"...Why are you, a Jedi, here?" Breemu asked as maliciously as she dared to go.

"Oh. I almost forgot." Luke turned to Padmé. "The Council would like to see you later this week, at your convenience, of course. It has something to do with Naboo, I believe."

Padmé was stunned, but didn't show it. "Oh. Thank you." So they finally know... she thought as Luke left. Strange that they'd have Anakin's cousin deliver the news, though.


As he watched Anakin walk over to his speeder, Obi-Wan's sense of foreboding lifted. Palpatine had less of a hold on Anakin now. If what Mace and Yoda had said was true, then it would imply that Anakin would bring the destruction of the Jedi. Luke would know the exact same thing, having lived after it. Therefore, Luke would probably try to keep that from happening. And, Obi-Wan noted, had already almost called Palpatine a lying son of a wampa (Whatever a wampa is, Obi-Wan had mused when Luke had mentioned this). Anakin was also a lot less angry at the galaxy in general. Apparently the hiding of his and Padmé's relationship had put a lot of stress on Anakin.

Obi-Wan smiled, knowing that, somehow, everything might turn out all right. He walked over to the shuttle which would be transporting him to one of the Star Destroyers in orbit. The Vigilance would then take him almost all the way to Utapau, and then Obi-Wan would board his starfighter and journey the rest of the way to the planet alone. There was a man leaning against one of the bars which lowered the boarding ramp. He waved to Obi-Wan. "Hello. I take it you'll be the pilot of this craft?"

The man smiled a lopsided grin. "Of course. It's not the best ship in the world, though. The seats are uncomfortable and it's slow as dirt," he replied. Obi-Wan noted that the pilot's accent was unmistakably Corellian. A good pilot, then. Probably. They walked inside towards the passenger lounge.

"What happened to the normal pilots?" Obi-Wan asked, curious.

"Nothing," the Corellian replied. "It's just that me and some friends of mine decided to enlist. We're happy to be helping the Jedi."

That's strange... They're better than the clones? "Well, thank you for the help with the war effort," Obi-Wan said, once they'd reached the destination.

"Good luck with Grievous," the pilot said, grinning. "From what I've heard, you're gonna need it."