Chapter 7 A Close Call

"Base this is Captain Skywalker; I have a problem here, I cannot throttle back." Anakin said into the com.

"Say again, Captain." A voice said.

"I cannot throttle back." Anakin repeated.

"Sir, you can't land unless you slow the ship down." The voice answered.

"I know that; but I don't seem to have a choice here. Prepare for a crash landing." Anakin replied calmly.

----------

Back at the base, Obi-Wan caught the end of the transmission, "Did he say crash landing?" He asked with concern.

"Yes, Master Kenobi; he has lost control of the throttle." The young com officer informed him.

"Let me speak with him." Obi-Wan requested.

"But, I don't know what you think you can do." He objected.

"I'm a Jedi, corporal; and so is Captain Skywalker. There's a lot we can do." Obi-Wan told him. "Let me speak with him."

The corporal was skeptical, but regardless, he let Obi-Wan take the com.

"Anakin, I know how we can fix this." Obi-Wan said.

"What are you talking about, Obi-Wan? I can't exactly crawl out of this fighter." Anakin voice answered sarcastically.

"The Force, Anakin." Obi-Wan replied calmly.

"The Force? How is that going to help?" Anakin asked.

"It will work; I did it when my fighter was damaged when we went to rescue Chancellor Palpatine. We can do this." Obi-Wan assured him.

"You're crazy, that will never work." Anakin said.

"Yes, it will; it won't give you total control, but it should slow you down enough to land." Obi-Wan replied. "I've done it; it will be enough."

"Alright, you're the master; tell me what to do." Anakin conceded.

"You know that engine, Anakin; visualize it, and then show it to me." Obi-Wan instructed.

------------

"Zak, take the controls." Anakin said.

"What?" Zak asked.

"Take the controls, Zak." Anakin repeated.

"But what are you going to do?" Zak asked.

"Don't ask questions; we don't have time. When this is over, Master Obi-Wan and I will explain it to you." Anakin answered. "Now, take the controls."

"Yes, Master." Zak replied.

As Zak took control of the fighter, Anakin took a deep centering breath and reached out with the Force, into the engine of the craft, exploring it, probing it and sending that image to his brother on the ground.

"Can you see it now?" He asked.

"Yes, I see it; can you see where the trouble is?" Obi-Wan responded.

"I think so; one of the control links has come loose." Anakin answered.

"That's good, Anakin; now we just need to manipulate it back into place." Obi-Wan replied.

"Oh, is that all?" Anakin said, sarcasm entering his thought.

"Concentrate and focus; it can be done." Obi-Wan told him.

"Alright, but how can you help?" Anakin wondered.

"We can combine Forces, Anakin; you've done it before." Obi-Wan answered.

"Oh, yes; now I see." Anakin replied as he realized what Obi-Wan had in mind.

------------

On the ground, the skeptical corporal watched Obi-Wan sit down on the floor and close his eyes in concentration, "What are you doing, sir?" He asked.

Obi-Wan did not respond.

"Sir?" The corporal asked.

Obi-Wan still did not answer, but he held his hand up to indicate that he did not wish to be disturbed.

------------

Anakin could feel Obi-Wan's Force strength reaching out to his, blending with it. The Force between the two of them was formidable. With Obi-Wan's strength combined with his own, Anakin reached for the loosened cable. To his astonishment, it appeared as if Obi-Wan had been right. They could do this, the cable responded to his command to move back into position…but there was a problem.

"This is bad, Obi-Wan; the cable didn't just come loose, it's broken." Anakin said.

"Then I will just have to hold it in place and you will get control back." Obi-Wan replied.

"I have to have throttle control until we land." Anakin answered. "I know I'm good, but I don't think I can hold this link together and land at the same time."
"I'm a pilot too, Anakin; I know that." Obi-Wan told him. " Just put the cable back where it belongs and I can hold it in place." Obi-Wan instructed.

"This isn't going to work." Anakin replied.

"Yes, it is; trust me." Obi-Wan assured him.

As the cable moved back into position, Zak could feel the fighter come back under control and he was able to throttle back and slow the ship down.

"It's working, Master!" He said.

"Do you have it?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, I have it. Now land quickly, I don't know how long I can hold it." Obi-Wan answered.

Anakin withdrew and opened his eyes, "Master Obi-Wan is going to help us land." He told Zak.

Zak did not ask how; he knew that Anakin did not have time to tell him.

------------

Artoo beeped at his counterpart.

"What? Are you sure about this Artoo?" 3PO asked.

Artoo beeped back at him.

"Oh my, I had better inform the mistress." He said.

Artoo beeped again.

"Yes, she should know." 3PO replied.

Artoo gave one more forlorn beep as 3PO walked out to the garden where Padme was playing with the children.

"Lady Padme! Lady Padme!" 3PO called out.

"3PO? What is it?" Padme asked hearing the urgency in his voice.

"Lady Padme, Artoo has just intercepted a holo-net transmission." 3PO began. "It's Master Anakin."

"Anakin? What is it, 3PO; what's wrong?" She asked suddenly concerned.

"Well, I…I think you should see it for yourself." 3PO answered, unwilling to give her the news himself.

"Oh no! Has he crashed? Is he hurt?" She asked, almost crying.

"No, Mistress, at least not yet; I really think you should go in and watch it. I will watch over Luke and Leia." 3PO replied.

"Not yet? What's happened, 3PO?" She asked panicking.

"Oh dear, I really think you should watch the transmission; I'm not really very good at these things." 3PO told her.

"Just tell me." Padme cried.

"It seems…a communication was intercepted…and he has lost control of the training fighter he was flying." 3PO replied.

"A trainer? Oh no, that means Zak must be with him; I could lose them both. I don't know what to do." Padme answered in despair.

"The broadcast…is live, Mistress; perhaps…you should…watch it?" 3PO suggested.

"The base, I should contact the base." Padme said firmly as she regained control of her emotions.

3PO watched as she walked into the house, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear." He said.

"Artoo, put that holo-net transmission up." She told the little astromech droid.

Artoo beeped at her and the image of a fighter appeared on the holo-screen.

"…appears as if Captain Skywalker may be regaining control. He seems to be slowing down." The announcer said.

"Do you think he will be able to land safely?" Another voice asked.

"Well, he is reputed to be the best pilot on Naboo, so he has a good chance." The announcer answered.

"Do they know what went wrong?" The other voice asked.

"He has apparently lost throttle control, that's all we have heard." The announcer informed him.

"Well, I am not a pilot, but it looks as if the captain has throttle control now."

"Yes, well, I'm not either; so I am not really sure what's happening now." The announcer replied.

"I'm told there is a young boy with him; can that be confirmed?" The other voice asked.

"Yes, a young Jedi apprentice; apparently the captain and this boy's master are friends." The announcer informed him. "I believe Captain Skywalker was teaching him."

"What a shame; how old is this boy?"

"Turn it down, Artoo, I can't listen anymore; but don't turn off the video." Padme said.

Artoo beeped and complied. The audio went silent.

"Thank you; now open a channel to the base. I want to hear what they have to say." Padme told him.

Artoo beeped as he obeyed Padme's request and received an immediate response from the base.

"Lady Skywalker, what can I do for you?" The corporal asked politely.

"You know what you can do for me. I just saw the news on the holo-net." Padme answered.

"Oh…I'm so sorry, Milady." He replied.

"Sorry? He hasn't even tried to land yet and you've already given up on him?" Padme said.

"Well, I…" The corporal stammered.

"Let me speak with Master Kenobi." She demanded.

"Well, umm…he appears to be…busy." The corporal told her.

"Busy? Doing what?" Padme asked.

"I don't know; I tried to ask him, but he wouldn't answer." The corporal answered.

It dawned on Padme, then, what Obi-Wan was doing…or attempting to do, "Is he sitting on the floor? Are his eyes closed?" Padme asked.

"Well, yes; but what…" The corporal began.

"He's a Jedi and he's focusing; Master Kenobi is going to help my husband land that trainer." Padme informed him confidently. "They cando that."

"I'm sorry, Milady; I don't see how." The corporal replied.

"No, you wouldn't; you couldn't, but trust me, they can do things you could not even imagine. I know, I've seen it." Padme said.

"I hope you're right, Milady." He answered. "Would you like to keep this channel open?"

"Yes, and I also have the broadcast on the holo-net." Padme replied. "Trust me, and trust them; it will be alright."

Padme was not lying when she told that to the corporal; she knew in her heart that between the two of them, Anakin would land the trainer. It would not be the prettiest landing, but she knew he and Obi-Wan could do it. They had landed what was left of the Invisible Hand and they could do this too. She turned her attention to the image on the screen and watched as the fighter began its descent into the atmosphere.

------------

"Too fast, we're still coming in too fast." Anakin said aloud. "Obi-Wan?

"Sorry; I'm having trouble keeping it in place…wait a moment." Obi-Wan answered.

"You can't do this alone. Maybe I should help you and let Zak land." Anakin suggested.

"No; no, he's never landed a fighter, let alone a damaged one. That won't work." Obi-Wan objected. "There, is that better?" .

"Yes, that did it. I'll make this quick." Anakin replied.

------------

The corporal looked with concern at the Jedi Master seated on the floor. His brow was furrowed in concentration and perspiration covered his face. Whatever he was doing, it appeared to be very difficult.

"Milady, I'm a little concerned about Master Kenobi." He said.

"Don't be; just leave him alone and let him do what he has to do." Padme answered. "Whatever he's doing takes a great deal of concentration."

------------

"Master Anakin?" Zak asked.

"It's alright, Zak; but I'm going to need your help too." Anakin assured him. "I have to concentrate on slowing us down and descending, so I want you to make sure we stay level; can you do that?"

"Yes, Master; I can do that." Zak answered confidently.

Anakin did not really need Zak's help, but he could sense Zak's apprehension and knew that he had to get him to focus on something else. He started his descent….

------------

Obi-Wan struggled to keep the damaged cable in place. It was taking every bit of concentration and focus he could muster and he hoped that Anakin could land the trainer before his strength gave out. If they lost throttle control before they landed, it would be disastrous.

------------

Zak was concentrating also; Master Anakin had given him an important task and it was up to him to keep the fighter level. He had great faith in Master Anakin and in his own master who was somehow helping them from the ground. Everything would work out; he just knew it. As for Anakin, his main concern was slowing down enough so they would be able to stop before they crashed into the maintenance building at the end of the landing pad. The fighters did not normally land at such a high speed. He was counting on Obi-Wan to hold the link together long enough for him to land. He could see the base now…

"Alright, I only have one shot at this; I'm coming in hot so be ready for us." Anakin informed the com officer.

"We have crash equipment ready to go the minute you touch down, sir; good luck." The corporal replied.

Good because we're going to need it, Anakin said to himself. "How are you doing, Zak?"

"Fine, I'm alright, Master." Zak answered.

"Alright, here we go; hold on." Anakin told him.

------------

Padme watched the trainer as it neared the base. She could tell that it was coming in too fast and could only watch helplessly as it made its final approach. 3PO appeared at her side.

"The children have come in and are taking a nap…are you alright, mistress?" He asked.

"No, I…but I will be…at least, I hope so." Padme answered.

"Oh, can I do anything? Can I get you anything?" 3PO asked.

"No, 3PO." She told him.

"Oh…I feel so helpless." He replied.

Padme felt a pit in her stomach and lump in her throat as she watched the fighter touch down and skid across the landing pad…

------------

As the fighter lowered, it hit a pocket of turbulence and Obi-Wan had to fight hard to keep the cable from moving. The corporal, along with the other corpsmen present, had turned his attention to the approaching trainer. It was coming in fast, too fast and would probably hit the small building at the edge of the landing pad. Emergency equipment was standing by…waiting for the worst.

------------

Anakin felt the fighter buck as he hit the turbulence. He could feel his brother struggling to keep the connection between the throttle and his controls, but he could not help him; it would take all his skills just to attempt to land without crashing into anything. The ship bounced as he hit the landing pad and then skidded almost out of control toward the building at the edge of the pad. Anakin jerked the steering yoke and turned the fighter sideways attempting to slow it down. Then he felt it, a ripple in the Force…

------------

Obi-Wan realized that even though he had managed to help Anakin slow the trainer it was still in danger. As he felt the fighter hid the landing pad and start to skid sideways, he moved his focus from the throttle cable to the craft itself. He gave a tremendous Force push into the fighter, attempting to slow its progress.

------------

Padme watched in horror as Anakin's ship skidded ever closer to the maintenance shed; and then it slowed, for some inexplicable reason and stopped short of hitting it. No, she thought, not inexplicable. Together Anakin and Obi-Wan had managed it; how could she have ever doubted that they could pull it off.

"Lady Skywalker?" The corporal inquired. "It appears as if the captain has managed to land."

"Yes, I see that; but it wasn't just him." She answered.

"Oh, well, alright; if you say so. I will have Captain Skywalker contact you as soon as possible." The corporal replied.

------------

With only a few feet to spare, the trainer came to a grinding halt. Anakin breathed a sigh of relief.

"How are you doing back there, Zak?" He asked.

"Umm…fine…I guess; I thought we were going to hit that shed." Zak answered.

"Well, Master Obi-Wan didn't think that would be a good idea." Anakin replied.

"Master Obi-Wan stopped us?" Zak asked in wonder.

"Yes, he gave us a nice big Force push." Anakin told him as he watched his fellow corpsmen running toward them.

------------

Obi-Wan opened his eyes, he was physically spent but relieved that he had managed to stop the trainer from hitting the maintenance building at the end of the landing pad. He stood up, shakily and made his way out to the landing pad.

------------

Padme cried in relief as she watched the canopy of the ship pop open and her husband stand up. He turned to check on his young passenger and Zak too stood up. Then she saw Anakin's comrades and behind them, Anakin brother. It was alright; everything was alright.

------------

Anakin looked with concern at Obi-Wan; he looked exhausted., "Are you alright?" He asked.

"It was harder than I thought." Obi-Wan assured him with a smile. "Another happy landing, I see."

"Yes, well, we had a little help." Anakin replied. "Thanks."

"Well, I didn't want to lose a brother and a Padawan on the same day." Obi-Wan answered. "Zak, are you alright?"

"Fine, Master; but I hope the next lesson is a little easier." Zak told him.