Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars… quite unfortunate really. It would be nice to have money. :-(

Author's Note: Here we go again.

Chapter Five- The Call Home

Anakin felt distressed. His current campaign on Hypori was going well, and he expected to secure the main droid factory any day. He loved being in command, but he had been angered to leave Padmè. Anakin had little choice. Padmè, however, had radiated in pride for him receiving his first solo mission as a Jedi Knight. His thoughts lingered on their child. The dreams to his delight had stopped, at the same time as the horrifying echoes. A sense of foreboding fell upon him. 'What had Master Qui-Gon been protecting me from?'

"Trooper, has any transmission been recieved from Coruscant?"

The clone trooper strode to a computer console, and shifted through the files. "No, Commander Skywalker."

Anakin lips tightened. "Then I will need you to patch one through."

"Where is the destination?"

Anakin paused. "Send it to the Jedi Council."

"Will do, sir."

Anakin moved into position, and waited for the council to respond. After minutes, Anakin watched as the Council Chamber appeared in a fuzzy blue. The members looked just as disarrayed as he felt. Anakin also noticed that both Yoda and Obi-wan were absent from the chamber. Their normal chairs remained strangely empty.

"Masters," Anakin started, as he bowed. He nearly gasped when he saw his former master's grief stricken face. "I felt a disturbance in the Force."

Mace Windu nodded solemnly. "As we all have. The planet Utapau is dead or at least those who walked upon its surface are."

"Obi-wan?"

Mace nodded slightly and the truth hit Anakin brutally. "Every living thing on the planet is dead."

"How is that even possible?" Anakin blurted out.

Mace frowned. "Terrible acts can be done through the Force. But understand the happenings on Utapau we do not."

"Where is Master Yoda?"

Ki-Adi-Mundi holographic image flickered. "He is in route to Coruscant, even as we speak. He has asked all Jedi to return, and do to the circumstances I highly concur."

Shaak-Ti bit her lower lip slightly. "These are dangerous times, and you are not far from Utapau, Anakin. The council has decided that you should withdraw from Hypori immediately."

"What about the Separatists?"

Master Windu's brow creased. "A new enemy has appeared… the Separatists are no longer our priority."

"But what about the Republic?" Anakin nearly shouted. 'What about Padmè?'

"Anakin, this new threat is against both the Republic and the Separatists; we must unite." Qui-Gon said quietly.

Anakin could not bear to have his master's poignant eyes on him. "I will return to Coruscant immediately."

"Good," Mace began. "Anakin, remember what happened to Utapau, and get out away from Hypori quick."

"Yes-."

The holographic Anakin crackled and vanished. A new darker image appeared, though no being was visible. A chilling voice filled the chamber room.

"I am responsible for the death of Utapau. I am a true Sith, and now I have come to claim my inheritance. Those who stand in my way will receive the same painful death of those on Utapau. Remember their suffering? And pretender, your death is coming."

The voice vanished, and Anakin returned into view. His eyes met those of Mace Windu, who's usual tranquil mask was broken. Mace turned on his comlink.

"Who was that transmission heard by."

A voice, which belonged to Master Nu, replied. "The whole galaxy."

Master Windu returned his thoughts back to Anakin. "I want you to depart Hypori now, Skywalker."

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