Chapter 8 Echoes of the Past

As Kitch was following Obi-Wan, another ship started doing the same. He slowed his ship to avoid detection and kept following. He couldn't see much from behind, but it looked like something was going on. Several trails of light indicated rockets, but other than that he had no idea what was happening.

He left Obi-Wan and began following the other ship as it landed on the rocky planet inside a large hangar. Kitch landed a distance away and snuck over to it. Other than the hangar, the building complex seemed to be completely underground with openings to let out steam. All Kitch could gather was that it was a factory of some sort, or at least part of it was.

As he crept toward the door, the Force warned him of something behind him and he ducked just as a stun bolt hit the wall where he'd been standing. In an instant his light saber was ignited, it's blue blade glowing vibrantly in the eerie gloom.

Another lightsaber shone back and a man stepped forward, attacking Kitch with expert strokes. Kitch fought back aggressively, he was one of the best swordsmen the order knew, for padawans that is, but the man was well-trained. After a while Kitch began tiring, and the man was somehow blocking his connection to the Force. It was too much effort to hold his own and maintain a Force connection. A few minutes after the connection dropped, so did Kitch, a blow to the head with the hilt of the stun blaster knocking him senseless to the ground.

>>>>

They took the Naboo star ship to the address where Shmi supposedly was living. Jesse couldn't help smiling, remembering the last time he was on a ship like this. It had been in Tatooine too. He was going to say something to Anakin, but the look of intense concentration on his face made him keep his mouth shut. Instead he went over to Padme.

"Remember the last time we were here?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "How could I forget? You were such a jerk."

"Me a jerk? You were the one putting on all these royal airs."

"Well, I had a good reason." She protested.

"You were supposed to be a handmaiden, therefore, you weren't supposed to be acting like a queen. And I was the one who kept apologizing." He reminded her.

"And why did you apologize? Because you were to blame." She raised her eyebrows in an extremely attractive way.

"No, because I was less arrogant." He teased.

"Is that the place?" Kimmy broke up the conversation, slipping between Jesse and Padme.

"Yes." Anakin said in an eerie tone. "This is it."

Kimmy followed the others, enjoying the way the sun gleamed on Jesse's blonde hair. Merciful Force, what was she thinking? She knew the only reason for the elevation in her attraction to Jesse was because of the obvious chemistry between him and Padme. Well, obvious to her, and probably Anakin too, considering the cool shoulder he'd been giving Jesse. Jesse probably only thought it was because he didn't want them to be here. She shook her head. This was one big tangled mess.

But she was a Jedi. And a Jedi doesn't love, period. She'd just have to ignore the attraction and hope it would wear off. It had better wear off.

A protocol droid was working outside and it looked up as they neared the homestead.

"Oh, hello." it said. "How might I be of service? A am See..."

"Threepio?" Anakin recognized his droid at once.

"Oh, my! Oh, my maker! Master Anakin! I knew you would return; I knew you would! And this must be Miss Padmé and Jesse."

"Hello, Threepio." Padme smiled.

"Oh, my circuits! I'm so pleased to see you all!"

"I've come to see my mother." Anakin got right down to business.

Threepio shifted, as well as a droid could. "I think... I think... Perhaps we'd better go
indoors."

Jesse didn't like that tone, and from the look on Anakin's face, he didn't either.

Threepio led them into a courtyard where a teenage boy and girl met them.

"I'm Anakin Skywalker." Anakin said. Jesse watched the two carefully for their reaction.

The boy nodded, not seeming very shocked. "Owen Lars. This is my girlfriend, Beru."

"Hello." The girl said.

"I guess I'm your stepbrother." Owen continued. "I had a feeling you might show up some day."

"Is my mother here?" Anakin looked around. Jesse was only able to pick up on his tenseness through the Force. Outwardly, he looked calm, although a little concerned.

"No, she's not." A voice from behind them said. A man exited the house on a small floating chair. One of his legs was heavily bandaged; the other is missing. He held out his hand. "Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife. Come on inside. We have a lot to talk about."

They followed him inside to a cozy kitchen. Beru left to get something to drink as they sat down.

"It was just before dawn. They came out of nowhere. A hunting party of Tusken Raiders." Cliegg told them. Anakin clenched his jaw. "Your mother had gone out early, like she always did, to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporators. From the tracks, she was about halfway home when they took her. Those Tuskens walk like men, but they're vicious, mindless monsters. Thirty of us went out after her. Four of us came back. I'd be with them, only after I lost my leg I just couldn't ride any more until I heal." Cliegg paused to look at Anakin, but Anakin was staring at the floor. "This isn't the way I wanted to meet you, son. This isn't how your mother and I planned it. I don't want to give up on her, but she's been gone a month. There's little hope she's lasted this long."

Silence filled the room, not even the farm noise penetrated the overwhelming stillness. Finally Anakin stood up.

"Where are you going?" Owen asked.

"To find my mother." Anakin said simply.

"You're mother's dead, son. Accept it." Cliegg said.

"I can feel her pain, and I will find her." Anakin's flashing eyes dared anyone to tell him otherwise.

"Take my speeder bike." Owen said.

Kitch's BLUE lighsaber. I remebered! No, actually, I read my reviews, which I love, which I need more of, hint hint. Kitch is an extremelygood swordsman, but when you know who he went up against you'll see why he didn't win. Besides, he's still learning. Give him a couple years. (If you want a hint as to who he fought, read the chapter title. Hehe.)