((Ick. Y'all were right, my last chapter did suck. Yeah, the more I think about it the droid thing was stupid. Sorry, but I really wanted to get to the end, and I've learned my lesson to never hurry myself through a Star Wars fanfic. OK, I swear I will not try to hurry again, or write my fanfics on a church bus, in the middle of rowdy, caffinated teens, at 1:00 in the morning, half-awake, and distracted with all the stuff…. Yadee yada. I will go over and rewrite the chapter; the more I think about it, it really was bad. But not right now, maybe later. And I'm sorry if the sequence of events is not the same as the movie, I can't remember. But I'm convincing Dad to go with me this week, and my friend's gonna lend me the book. I wish I could buy it but my mom goes "$17 for a book! You're already pre-paying for the Harry Potter one!" And you never challenge my mom, so I'm going to borrow it. Maybe I can find the script online though…))
Disclaimer: This is getting really old…
Chapter 4:
Obi-Wan Kenobi pulled himself out of the water, removing the breathing apparatus from his mouth. He leaned against the side of the embankment, gathering what strength and bearings he had left. He glanced up, seeing minor explosions in the air. At least he had gotten rid of General Grievous. Relief, glorious relief was felt at the erasing of yet another factor in the leader of the seperatist movements.
Obi-Wan began to climb out of the pit, muscles aching with exhaustion. A last glance was thrown down to the water below. He felt sympathy for the lizard-like creature that had borne him around the small planet, helping him around. So many of her kind were expiring, as were other animal races in the galaxy.
Before he knew it, he had drawn to the top of the embankment. Eyes searched around for any signs of immediate movement. Seeing none, he ran along towards the hanger silently, keeping a low profile in both an internal and physical sense. He did not need to draw attention to himself. He fine-tunes his senses to the Force, guiding himself along and letting his hearing and sight be heightened by it.
Suddenly, an immediate pain struck him down, making his knees buckle as he felt into the Force. There was a huge stab of pain in his arm, followed by similar ones in his side and leg. He quickly withdrew from the Force, puzzled at what was going on. He was not so closely linked with someone to where he could actually feel their pain at the exact moment. He stood up, shocked, then moved on towards his spacecraft once more. Curious, he let his feelings flow through the Force again. Nothing. That was even more disturbing than before. Was the person he was sharing feelings with in trouble? Dead, possibly? No, not dead, for he could still feel their faint presence in the Force. Suddenly, he felt a sense of consciousness again, followed by relief and fear, along with the pain again. What was going on?
Disturbed, he silently moved towards his aircraft, seeing some clonetroopers still hanging around. He slipped into the cockpit, starting the engine. The Clones whipped around, seeing him lifting off. They fired their weapons at the ship, but narrowly missed. He sharply pulled away from the planet, heading towards Couresant to inform the Council of his discoveries of a base on Mustafar. He guided the craft into the stars, leaping into hyperspace.
Finally, Couresant came into sight. Obi-Wan directed the craft towards the center, near the Jedi Temple. His heart dropped at the sight.
The Temple was a solitary form, smoke emitting from it. He stopped and the landing and immediately got out, jogging inside. No one went up to meet him as they usually did. Gaze swept around the great halls of the temple, shock placed there. Eyes rested upon a small form in the center of bodies. There were bodies strewn everywhere, both Clone Troopers and Jedi Knights. He kneeled beside the form of the young Padawan Anakin had seen die before his eyes a short time earlier.
My god, he thought, not even the Younglings escaped this massacre.
The familiar shuffle of feet and the tap of a cane upon the stone floors interrupted him in his musings.
"This carnage," said Yoda, coming to stand beside Obi-Wan, "terrible. Happened all across the galaxy, it did."
At these words, dread suddenly rose within Obi-Wan. What happened to Anakin? Surely he was caught up in this too.
"Your fears take no base," informed Yoda, "Young Skywalker is fine."
"Does this mean-" Obi-Wan began, but the impact of the thought was far too much for him to handle.
"Yes," finished Yoda for him, "The last members of the Jedi order you, me, and Skywalker are." With this said, Yoda turned away. Kenobi could see he was just as much upset as he was. But there was one question sticking to the back of his mind. Who, even a very shrewd politician, could bring themselves to kill children? As soon as he thought that, Obi-Wan knew the answer. The Sith Lord, Sidious. The very one Anakin was spying on. But for who would this succeed now? The Republic surely was going to crumble without the influence of Jedi. There was not one person that the Senate as a whole would listen to in a matter such as this. Unless…
"Master," said Obi-Wan suddenly. "I must take my leave. I think there is one way to prevent this, and I will find out if they're up to it."
Yoda nodded his approval, semi-knowing what Obi-Wan was doing. Kenobi rushed out of the Temple and into the hanger, lifting off and guiding his craft to the place of the one person the Senate as a whole, even Palpatine, respected.
Senator Padme Amidala
Anakin continued to stare at the young Padawan resting on the couch. He kept on repeating her name in his head over and over again- particularly the surname.
Carmana Kenobi…What in the world was that supposed to mean? Kenobi was not that common of a name in the galaxy, so she must be related of some sort. Cousin, niece maybe? Come to think of it, Anakin realized that he had never asked Obi-Wan of his family. The more he looked at the girl, the more he noticed the similarities between her and Obi-Wan. Her facial shape was the same, showing strictness yet had the animation of a young one. Her hair was the same mixture of red, blond and brown. The only feature that was different was her eyes. The bright green that always portrayed emotions clearly, unlike the shrouded mystery of Obi-Wan's cloudy blue eyes.
Padme was still sitting beside Anakin when she tapped him on the shoulder.
"What do you think is going on?" she asked, "Who is she?"
Anakin shook his head, just as equally confused. Yes, who was Carmana Kenobi? He could ask her, but she was asleep right now from the medication. He glanced outside at the setting sun. Red, very red. Of course it was, blood had been spilt that day. The impending drone of an oncoming engine brought him out of his thoughts. Ah, just the person he wanted to speak with.
Anakin came forward, opening the door to the apartment. Obi-Wan had a ragged appearance, as if he had been through a tough situation. Even though Anakin knew he had probably been through something, but pushed that away as he came forward. He wanted to know what was going on and who this Youngling was, and he wanted to know it now. Obi-Wan came forward, shaking his head.
"Anakin, what happened at the temple?" he asked, going into a tirade of questions, "It was from Palpatine, wasn't it? Why didn't you contact anyone? Did you go down to the Temple?"
Anakin folded his arms. "If I answer your questions, please answer one of mine." His tone was unwavering. Obi-wan looked at him quizzically, wondering what was going on in Anakin's mind. He never could know what exactly was going on in that turmoil of mystery that was Anakin's mind. Anakin began to answer.
"I could not stop it," he told Obi-Wan, "I wanted to contact someone… but there wasn't enough time."
He paused and raised an eyebrow.
"Can I ask you a question now?" he asked, voice laced with sarcasm.
Obi-Wan sighed and nodded.
"Does the name Carmana Kenobi have any affect on you, Master?"
Obi-Wan instantly paled, stepping back a few feet. It was now Anakin's turn to be confused. He did not know that this would have such a profound effect upon the Jedi Master. Obi-Wan Kenobi never became flustered and shocked beyond capability of speaking- but that was what was happening right then.
Finally, Obi-Wan made an attempt to speak. "Where did you learn that name?"
Anakin beckoned Obi-Wan inside. Padme was sitting beside the girl on the couch and stood as they came in, a concerned emotion upon her features at Obi-Wan's ghastly appearance. Kenobi's gaze was rooted towards the small girl upon the couch, not a muscle within him moving. The girl's eyes suddenly snapped open and moved towards Kenobi. When they made eye contact, Obi-Wan stumbled back, sinking upon the couch.
Obi-Wan's knees instantly became shaky when he heard the name escape from Anakin's mouth. Yes, that name did have a profound affect upon him. He moved forward as his past Padawan motioned for him to come inside. There was a small form on the couch beside Senator Amidala. He came forward a few more feet, not taking his eyes from her. How long had it been? Four, almost five years?
The girl dressed in Youngling clothes then opened her eyes, staring straight at Kenobi. Those green eyes sparked a memory from someone so long ago. At least it seemed so long ago. Those eyes… they were just like her…
Mother's…But how could she be here now? There was not a child- how could there be? This went against everything he had appeared to be. All would be revealed in a short time. He stepped back, suddenly frightened, breath coming in short gasps. He sank down into the chair, head in his hands. He began to rock back and forth, sobs coming forth. He had not cried in years.
The girl was still looking at him, head tilted in a way that reminded Kenobi of- no, he mustn't remember it. It was forbidden. HE broke eye contact and looked to the side, still shocked. He pounded his mind, trying to remember why he came here in the first place. That's right, the Senator. He turned to Padme, who was looking worried at Obi-Wan's flustered appearance.
"Senator," he began, voice calm once again, as if nothing had changed, "As you may have learned, turmoil has come over the Republic. As of today, The Jedi Council ceases to exist from orders of Palpatine. Since it was your representative who proposed the idea, I think the Senate will listen to you if you sponsor the idea of taking away his emergency powers."
He glanced over at Anakin, who he could tell was still curious about the reaction he had had towards the little girl. But Anakin would not be getting any answers; at least not yet. He wished Padme would say something, but instead Anakin took the liberty to speak.
"Who is Carmana, Master?" he asked bluntly.
Sith, this kid would not relent. He would not stop pestering Obi-Wan until he found out something. Well, he did not ask who she was exactly…
"A- a relative I did not know lived until now," said Obi-Wan quickly.
Anakin could sense Obi-Wan was lying, but did not press the matter further. If his old master was not going to release any information, then most likely- no matter the circumstances- he never would. Anakin nodded, turning away to Padme to see her reaction towards the request Obi-Wan had made earlier.
"Yes, I'll try," she replied, "but it will have to wait until the Senate meets again in three weeks. There cannot be any emergency meeting until then, since it would look hurried and suspicious."
Anakin could see a certain fear in her eyes. It would be dangerous to propose the withdraw of powers for Chancellor Palpatine, as the Senate could all oppose it; and there was no telling what would happen afterwards. And there were no Jedi left to enforce the laws- well, almost no Jedi. That was another question he had.
"Who all is left from the attacks?" asked Anakin of Kenobi.
"Master Yoda, you, and me," responded Obi-Wan heavily, glancing down at the Youngling once more. He stared at her for the longest time, then glanced back outside.
"Speaking of Master Yoda, he is waiting for me at the Temple, and I shall tell him of your answer, Senator," he said to Padme, who nodded.
With that being said, he turned around and walked back outside, but halted, as he was about to climb into the cockpit. He turned around and stared at Carmana again, then looked at Anakin and Padme.
"Shall I take the Youngling off your hands for the moment?" he asked, almost with a pleading look in his eyes. Anakin agreed, slightly perturbed that he still did not know much about this little one and her involvement with Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan walked over and scooped the little one gently in his arms. There was a look of infinite tenderness in his eyes that to Anakin almost seemed fatherly. Obi-Wan placed the child in the cockpit and lifted off, heading towards the abandoned Temple.
Anakin stared after the spacecraft and into the darkening sky. "Well, that was very interesting," he said, a wry smile coming to his mouth. He turned around when no comment came from Padme.
She was sitting on the couch, staring straight ahead. There was a look of worry and slight fear in them. With concern, Anakin came to her side, putting an arm around her.
"What is it?" he asked, looking at her intently.
"I- I don't know," she stated, "What if the Senate denies- what if I can't-"
"Hush," he said, pulling Padme closer. She was trembling.
"I know you can do this," he reassured, "Everyone listens to you there."
"I know," she said, "but-"
"No more," said Anakin, placing a kiss on her forehead.
Padme sighed and stood up slowly. Placing a hand on her lower back, she winced.
"I'm going to bed," she announced, turning towards the stairs.
"Why?" asked Anakin. It was only just after sunset. "Are you going to eat anything?" He saw her blanch slightly.
"No," she said, "My back's been hurting me all day, and I don't think I can eat anything." Saying that, she turned around and headed up the staircase, wincing one more time at the landing before turning to her room.
Anakin sat by himself on the couch, chin in his hand as he thought. He stood, walking out on the balcony and closed his eyes, falling into a meditation. Slowly, he felt all other senses swept away as his spirit dwelled into the Force, trying to make sense of things. Would his actions today- or lack thereof- warn the chancellor of his true loyalty. Or would it pass over? There was no doubt Palpatine would suspect something in the future, possibly sooner than he thought. Thinking that, he allowed himself to immerse in the Force. A myriad of feelings from others came to meet him.
There was sadness from both Obi-Wan and Yoda. No other Jedi were present in the life of the Force. He switched and found Padme's ever-constant presence. There was immense worry there, followed by an almost equal amount of unexplained restlessness. Feeling brave enough, he found the presence of Sidious. There was satisfaction there, deep satisfaction. He also felt assurance. Then, there was nothing. Surprised, Anakin tried harder, but found nothing in response.
Suddenly, he felt a huge amount of wrath emitting from the Sith Lord, followed by failure and betrayal. The wrath changed from betrayal to awareness, and Anakin immediately withdrew; really, he was also being pushed away.
Sith, he thought, Palpatine must know I'm nosing around. And that anger… did the Sith Lord somehow know that Anakin was spying? Oh great, what would they do now? But Anakin knew he was jumping to conclusions.
He stopped meditating, and turned around and went inside. Feeling hungry, Anakin walked to the kitchen, heading for the bowl of shuura, Padme's favorite dessert fruit she always kept around. He grabbed a piece and started to eat it. Artoo suddenly rolled up. Anakin gave a frustrated groan, throwing the core of the shuura away.
"What is it?" he asked the little blue and white droid. Artoo beeped defensively, and then the satellite from him began to scan around.
Not another message from Mr. I Think I'm So Bad, thought Anakin. Instead, a hologram of Obi-Wan appeared.
"We need you to dispatch for Mustafar right away Anakin," commanded the transmission of Kenobi, "We have learned startling developments from certain sources that say Chancellor Palpatine is traveling there as we speak. There were supposubly-missing plans for something deadly he and his minions wish to create. Again, meet us on the volcanic planet of Mustafar."
Great, another mission. Anakin was slightly worried that Palpatine decided not to say anything to him. Already he did not trust him. This was the shortest undercover work of all time. And he had no idea where this… what was it Mufasa planet was. Well, there was the handy map on Padme's starship. And he would have to drag her along, since she would need protection. No telling what would try to get after her if she was alone. He dreaded this more than anything else, since she was not the most pleasant person in the world to wake from a deep sleep.
HE walked up the stairs, entering their room quietly.
"Don't bother being quiet," came her tired voice, "I'm awake."
"Did you sleep at all?" asked Anakin.
"No," she said, sitting up, "The past few nights haven't given me that good of rest. So, what did you need to talk to me about?"
"We need to go to the planet of…Mufastar-Mufastta…umm…Mustafar, that's it," said Anakin.
"Why?" asked Padme.
"I don't know, Obi-Wan sent a message to me, and you're going to have to come along in order for me to protect you."
"Oh…" responded Padme, getting up with a little difficulty. "Guess I'll need to go get changed." As she was waddling along, she laughed. "The way my back hurts and how fat I feel, I must be carrying triplets."
Anakin laughed. "You've only grown more beautiful, as I said before."
She smiled and went to the bathroom, changed, and came out. They both went to the aircraft, Anakin sitting behind the controls and Padme buckling in beside him. Both C-3P0 and R2D2 followed. The craft lifted off, flying into the night sky of Couresant. As soon they were in space, Anakin typed into the controls for a map.
M-U-S-T-A-F-A-R, Anakin typed in, sounding out each syllable. A map of planetary systems spun in rotation, singling out one planet.
"There you are," muttered Anakin, buckling in. "Hold on," he told Padme. She didn't respond. He was slightly worried, knowing that space travel must be hard on a pregnant woman's body. They whipped into hyperspace, coming out when they came out in the right system. Still, they were far away from the planet- it was on the outskirts of the system. Padme's head nodded forward, eyes closed. Anakin shook her shoulder softly. She started awake.
"Sorry," she murmured, "I think I'll go to the cot in the back and sleep."
Anakin nodded and she got up, wincing and putting her hand on her lower back again as she walked slowly towards the back. Anakin continued to ride on. Suddenly, the crackling of a transmission came in.
"Anakin," said Obi-Wan's voice, "Do you copy?"
Startled they knew where he was, he responded back. "Go ahead, Obi-Wan."
"You're on your way to Mustafar?" it was more of a statement than question.
"Yes," replied Anakin, "Do you know if-" A thump in the back caught his attention. "Excuse me one moment Master, I need to check on something." He switched the controls to autopilot and headed towards the back. A moan made him increase his pace. He turned around the corner.
Padme was kneeling on the ground, gripping the bed sheets with her hand until her knuckles were white. She moaned and looked at Anakin, pain reflecting from every one of her features.
"Padme," said Anakin, rushing to her side, "Are you-" But he could say nothing, seeing her in so much pain to where she couldn't even speak to him.
"Anakin," she said after the pain had passed, "I think the baby's coming."
((A/N: Was the end a bit too rushed? Please leave your comments and I'm sorry if I didn't spell the planet right. I don't know all there is about Star Wars, since I started to become interested a few months ago…
And by the way, can someone tell me where she had the babies on RotS? Was it Alderaan?))
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