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Chapter VIII – The Great Escape

In watching Anakin for the past couple of days, Obi wan has observed that his former padawan seemed a bit on edge, brooding over something that troubled him deeply. At times Anakin would seem to be fighting within himself and other times he would seem at ease. He barely slept or ate, which was something that was highly unusual. However tonight, he had been completely restless. Anakin was on the brink of explosion as he struggled to control his emotions. While Sly was off informing the other masters of the news, the two Jedi waited in the room for his return.

Obi wan wanted to know what was tormenting his friend so. His voice was calm as he slowly approached Anakin from behind., "Anakin, are you alright?"

"Yes, master I'm fine." Despite his best effort, his voice betrayed him.

"I sense there is something terribly wrong, and it's more than just what you sensed with Padme. You spoke to me briefly of what occurred in the council chambers. However I feel you were holding back. Tell me now, my friend, what is it that you are struggling with?"

Anakin did not turn to face Obi wan, rather he sighed deeply and walked toward a plant set on a nearby table. He gently brushed a finger along the smooth surface of the leaves. His mind briefly replayed the moments spent in the council room during the Jedi massacre. He looked over at the sleeping younglings in the room. He spoke softly, "I told you I had to battle the Sith apprentice in the council room, Obi wan. But I did not tell you who it was."

"Darth Patruus?" Obi wan stepped closer.

"Yes but-" Anakin blinked, dreading the admission of truth. He took in a deep breath and said, "He's my brother…my twin, Aiden Skywalker." The words left a repugnant taste on his tongue.

Obi wan covered his mouth with his hand and was rendered speechless by this revelation. After a much needed moment of thought digestion, he uttered "He could just be a clone."

"No" Anakin shook his head as he turned to face him. "He's real. He sounds like me. He looks like me. I sensed the truth. The same blood runs through his veins. He is who he says."

"By the force." Obi whispered as he rubbed his beard with one hand and the other positioned on his waist. He turned to face the window. He sensed Anakin's repulsion and offered an explanation, "It must be a ruse of the emperor's to seduce you to the darkside."

"Perhaps." Anakin said and slowly stepped towards him. "But it seems the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing."

"What?" Obi looked at Anakin.

"While he is powerful, he is not as sensitive with the force as I am. It seems I have the lion's share. Patruus knows that once the emperor has me, he will no longer need him. Patruus wants me to join him in overthrowing the emperor and ruling the galaxy." Anakin went on. "I told him I would not."

"Patruus cannot destroy the emperor alone. He will need you and afterwards, he will kill you. That is the way of the Sith." Obi wan warned. "Where has he been all this time?" Obi wan was intrigued.

"He says that Jabba lost him in a bet not too long after we were born. He said he was sold to Palpatine who took him as a pupil and raised him."

"Poor Shmi." Obi wan sympathetically closed his eyes.

"I just don't understand why my mother never spoke of him. Why didn't she tell me about him?" He softly asked as if desperate to find answer.

"I can't imagine how painful a loss like that is. There are some who can't bear such a tragedy and repress the painful memories in order to move on. There are others who are strong enough to bear their grief and decide to keep it to themselves, in order to limit reminders." Obi wan folded his arms. "Perhaps your mother was the latter?"

After a moment of thought, Anakin said, "I remember times when she would look so sad. She would seem lost in herself; as if she was somewhere I couldn't reach." After another brief moment of thought, he dismissively waved a hand, "It doesn't matter. His very existence is an insult to my mother's memory. He is pure evil." He looked at Obi wan with fire blazing in his sapphire eyes. "Just of the idea of being connected – related to someone who could do such things makes me sick! He thinks that my mother would have been happy we were separated." Anakin twitched as his temper grew to a boil. "I don't care what he thinks! I am glad we were separated. I know he wants me dead. I know he has wanted that for a long time. Thats fine with me, I hate him just as much!" He rubbed his right temple has he began pacing back and forth.

Obi wan remained silent as he studied his former padawan and sensed restrained rage in Anakin. "Be mind of your feelings Anakin. They can be--"

"made to manipulate me! I know this Obi wan! When this is all over, there may not be a Jedi Order or a council to decide my fate. If there is, I may no longer be a Jedi. All I will have left is Padme and our baby!"

"You and your ability is what the emperor is after. He will use whatever device he can to manipulate you or force you. He used your wife, your twin and if now, if you let him, your feelings. They can be a great disservice to you. Afterall, Jedi or not, you are the chosen one!

"Please don't call me that! I hate it!" Anakin glared at Obi wan.

"Anakin," Obi wan ran a hand through his hair,"You can't change what you are!"

"Well sometimes I wish I could. I never wanted to be 'the chosen one'. I never asked to be so strong with the force! If none of these things were so, Padme and our child would--would" Anakin could not utter another word for his fear and his anger had taken control.

Obi wan sensing Anakin's agony asked, "What is it Anakin?"

Anakin took a deep breath and looked away. He spoke as if wounded. "Patruus plans to take my child and raise it has a Sith. Obi wan, if he finds Padme…"

"He'll kill her as soon as she gives birth." Obi wan finished Anakin's sentence. "The emperor planned to kill her after you turn. Of course your child would be a threat to him."

"Patruus will either use my child to kill the emperor or force me to do it for him."

Anakin became visibly distraught. His breath came more rapidly and his hands shook with bottled up rage. He turned his back on Obi wan as the tears fell down his cheeks. He sighed deeply, "We have got to get out of here. I can't be stuck here while she is out there with no protection. She is everything to me. I can't lose her Obi wan. I can't lose my child. I won't survive if that happens."

Obi wan moved with great sympathy placed a hand on his shoulder, He felt the growing rage within Anakin and touched him through the force in attempt to assist in calming him. "Then we better make sure that does not happen."

The rays of light strayed into Padme's room. In her dreams she recalled the lasting moments she shared with Anakin before the siege of the temple. She remembered her very own words that restored Anakin's strength and saved them both from an inevitable and torturous life apart.

"We will get through this. Have faith."

"In what?"

"In us…Remember always that we can never be parted, my love…Please, promise me Ani."

"I promise."

There on the dresser beside her was a small wooden chest where Padme kept her most precious things. She opened it and removed the padawan braid Anakin had sent her. She smiled feeling her confidence grow. Padme was like a rising phoenix as her faith restored. It wouldn't – couldn't have ended, not like this. I must have faith. She reached in her tunic and pulled out the Jappor snippet she wore around her neck. She delicately passed a finger across the intricate carvings. I must hold on.

Following the least populated halls toward the landing bay that held the last of the Jedi cruisers, the group of Jedi knights stole themselves from the hotel to landing port 23. In a near by supply closet the group hid while two scouts were sent ahead to secure safe boarding. When one scout returned confirming secure passage, Kit led the entire group out to the main ramp leading to boarding dock. There were two cruisers being prepared for departure. One, being bigger than the other held two starfighters. Sly was busy scuttling back and forth between the ships checking the fuel line and the condition of the engines. His tail whipped around as he worked meticulously and as quickly as he could. He flicked his tongue and when he turned to see the approaching Jedi.

"My friends! Please hurry you must depart immediately before anyone sees you."

Anakin with a grim countenance approached Sly, "Are the ships ready?"

"Yes Anakin. The ships are fueled and engines have been checked. Everything is in order. I just have to remove the hose."

"Good." Anakin paused and half heartedly smiled. "Thanks Sly—for everything."

Sly bowed slightly and watched Anakin and the other knights usher the padawan and younglings aboard the ship.

Kit smiled to himself as he looked on both ships. He stroked his chin and nodded as if approving a suggestion. As Obi wan and Shaak – ti approached, Kit turned to them and said, "We should take both ships."

The two masters looked at each other curiously before Shaak –ti asked, "Why? There is more than enough room on one for all of us. We need not take more than what is necessary. Two ships will draw too much attention."

Obi wan "The empire will not have lightly abandoned the blockade. We will meet opposition on the way out, I assure you." Obi wan said in thought. "However with two ships the empire will think us a threat. They will no doubt attempt to engulf us in numbers great enough for a slaughter."

"There will not be more than one or two imperial cruisers in orbit. We only need to get a few parsecs from Coruscant and then into hyperspace. By the time they summon more ships to assist, we will be gone. With two ships we can provide coverage for each other. There are two starfighters in one the ships. Obi wan if need be, you and Anakin and pilot them and provide additional cover. Besides with only one ship to shoot down, we would be making ourselves an easy target." Kit finished with a confident smile.

"I see where are you are going with this." Obi wan slowly shook his head, "There is surveillance on all communications. We will not be able to contact one another."

"I don't like this Kit." Shaak ti looked up at him. "If we do this, we would be taking an awful big chance."

"We are taking a chance nevertheless. We are making a run for it without certainty of this being a trap or not. It's now or never right? And perhaps we can take down an imperial ship or two." Kit nodded slowly as he smiled again.

"We will need to split up in two groups then." Shaak-ti glanced at the cruiser nearest to them.

"No need. As long as I've got a droid and the autopilot is functioning, I can do this alone." Kit's smile faded.

The other two masters were silent.

"Alright." Shaak – ti looked warily to the floor. Obi wan nodded and said, "We must go now. We'll follow procedure and meet on Tandorian." He paused and said, "Make sure you meet us."

"Of course." Kit said walking toward his ship.

Obi wan said dejectedly "May the force be with you, Kit."

Kit looked back at Obi wan and flashed a smile that more than he intended. "May the force be with you too Obi wan."

There was an eeriness in the air at that moment, that made Obi wan regret going along with this idea. As he started up the landing ramp, he turned back toward and Sly, who was standing near by. He said tenderly to Sly, "Thank you for all you've done. I am sure you took a risk helping us; being caught in the act would not mean a light punishment. I honestly do not know where we'd be without your help."

"Obi wan, thanks is not necesssssary. I am your friend for life. The Jedi saved my people from what was an unavoidable fate and risked your lives on many accountssss. I am always in your debt." Sly flicked his tongue and bowed his head slightly.

Obi wan smiled placing a hand on his shoulder, "Then we are even."

Sly lightly slapped the side of Obi wan arm. "I hope we meet again."

"So do I. Goodbye." Obi wan turned entered the ship as the landing ramp was raised.

Anakin and Shaak – ti sat in the cockpit controls, flipping switches, pressing buttons and planning any necessary maneuvers in case there was trouble beyond Coruscant's blue sky. Without looking up Anakin said, "Where to now?"

"Set a course for the Alderaan system. Senator Organa has set up refuge for us on Tandorian. We must go with all speed. All surviving Jedi are to meet there." Shaak – ti sighed and prepared for lift off. "Anakin there are two starfighters in the shuttle bay below. Just before we reach space, you and Obi wan will have to pilot the fighters to provide coverage for our escape. When we get to the appropriate distance, both of you must return to the shuttle bay so we can enter hyperspace."

Anakin nodded and quickly piloted the ship into the air. The cruiser rose steadily and the light of the moon passed through the cockpit window and across their faces. Anakin could see the walls of the landing bay fall away and the vast skyscrapers surrounding the facility. Once above the highest neighboring building, Anakin flipped more switches and pressed more buttons. He couldn't help but to look into the vast reaches of sight; where the city met the horizon. There in the distance, he could still see smoke billowing from the pile of rubble that was once the great Jedi temple. He blinked and shook his head, forcing the images of death and destruction from his mind. He pushed out his anger, hatred and disgust with Patruus and focused on making it into hyperspace and then to Padme.

Padme walked into the kitchen just in time for breakfast. However breakfast seemed to be the farthest from the minds of Owen and Beru. Padme looked to each wishing for words to restore their hope. She looked to Beru, who was busied herself with cleaning the processors and preparing food for dinner. She did not notice Padme as she worked herself back and forth through the room. Padme then looked to Owen, who barely touched his breakfast. The steam that normally rose from his cup of coffeine was gone. He sat motionless at the table hiding his face behind a datapad.

She stood for a moment watching the two of them before she spoke.

"Good morning." She sat the table and rested her hand on her belly.

Owen finally realizing she was in the room, put the datapad down and reached out to touch her hand that rested on the table. "Padme, how are you holding up?" Owen spoke in an unfamiliar soft tone.

"I am fine." Padme saw the pain in Owen's eyes. She had no idea how Owen was grieved for his step-brother. She nodded and smiled.

Beru turned from the processor. "Padme are you hungry?"

Padme looked up at Beru. She was met with red watery eyes and red nose. "Not really, but I'll have at little something…for the baby's sake."

"I'll have something whipped up in a moment." Beru turned around and continued to diligently work herself around the kitchen.

Padme watched Owen resume hiding behind his data pad. She motionless sat for minutes staring at her hands on the table. She took a deep breath and said softly, "He's not dead."

Beru slowly turned towards her. Owen was taken aback by her statement and looked over the top of the data pad with narrow eyes. "What did you say?"

With more conviction in her voice, she said, "Anakin did not die. He couldn't have."

Beru and Owen exchanged concerned looks.

Padme continued, "Last night, I too thought that he couldn't have possibly made it out of there alive. I was falling to pieces. But this morning something spoke to me. I don't know what it was. I can't explain it, but something inside me tells me that –." She looked at Owen, "Anakin is alive."

Owen put down the data pad. "I'm sure you would like to believe so Padme. We both would too, but—"

"Anakin is a very capable Jedi knight. He has survived countless life threatening encounters. He has overcome obstacles and performed feats that would have surely taken his life. He is strong and resourceful. I believe he made it out. I am almost ashamed to say that I lost a bit of myself when I saw the broadcast last night. My faith in him wavered." She looked back her hands, "But now, I know in my heart that he is alright, and he will come back to me." She sounded as if she was speaking more to herself than to the others.

Beru took a seat beside Padme and held her hand. "Unexpectedly losing your greatest love is a tragedy I pray I never experience. Padme, Anakin was –"

"Was?" Padme looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Is, Beru. Is."

Padme looked away in frustration. She needed to believe what her heart was feeling. She did not want Owen and Beru bringing her back down to a point she'd rather not revisit. She couldn't bare them trying to make her believe the unthinkable. "I'm going back to my room. I need to lie down." She stood up from the table.

Owen touched Padme's hand and said, "Please understand Padme. We are here for you. We love you and want the best for you and your baby. I know losing a loved one is hard. It gets so hard that sometimes you'd rather believe the possibility that there was a mistake. Perhaps you think that is easier, but you are only setting yourself up for a let down when reality sets in."

Padme pulled her hand away from Owen and grimaced, "I am not in denial! I know Anakin is alive. I feel it in my soul! He will return to me!" Padme glanced at Beru whose eyes were filling up with tears. "Excuse me. I-I'm going to lie down."

On the bridge of the Dauntless, Lieutenant Grimbold interrupted a conversation between Admiral Toslic and another officer with important news. "Sir, we have just received reports of Jedi cruisers approaching the projected coordinates in the northwestern quadrant."

"How many?" Admiral Toslic voiced was filled with sudden excitement as he walked over to the scanners.

"Two sir."

"Inform Lord Patruus of your findings. Tell him we'll await his orders, otherwise we will disable the ships."

"No need to wait." Patruus dismissively waved a hand as he entered the bridge of the ship. He walked over to the scanners and studied each one, "No ship is to get more than parsec from Coruscant. Decloak and destroy all ships, save for this one." He pointed to one dot indicating a starfighter. "I want that ship. The pilot is to be taken alive." Patruus turned and walked to the nearest window to watch ships approach.