Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here, because it's fun.
AN: Here's chapter 4! Enjoy and please review!
A Matter of Hope
Chapter 4: Hoth
Han Solo checked the nav computer. They would be coming out of hyperspace in orbit of Hoth in about an hour. Then his business with the Skywalkers would be done and he could get back to his life. He considered what Anakin had told him back on Andea.
"Take advice from someone who grew up on Tatooine. Pay Jabba what you owe him and then never cross the paths of the Hutts again," Skywalker had told him. He wondered curiously how Anakin knew so much about the Hutts anyway. Unfortunately, smuggling was a way of life for Han in this screwed up galaxy. Honest work where you didn't have the Empire breathing down your neck was hard to come by. Han hated the Empire, but joining the rebellion was out of the question. Han Solo had always been out for himself and himself only. It was a lot harder to get double crossed or hurt if you never let anyone get close enough to you. Both the Skywalker's and Kenobi's were nice families from what he had witnessed. Luke was a great kid, though he always asked questions and that sometimes annoyed Han. The littlest Skywalker, Larisa, was cute as a button and hard to resist when she looked up at you with that pout of hers. Then there was Leia. Han found himself usually infuriated by Luke's twin. Did she think she was some kind of princess or something? He guessed that it didn't help that Anakin usually called her just that. He remembered an earlier altercation with her where she had been in the cockpit asking him all kinds of questions about the ship. He realized that her dad was a great mechanic, but that didn't mean she knew everything.
"Listen kid, I ain't got time for your questions. The ship is running fine. Your dad saw to that," Han insisted.
"I know that captain, I was just trying to make conversation. But I don't know why I even bother with a scruffy looking nerfherder like you!"
Leia had stormed off, but was later scolded and made to apologize to him by her parents. Something which Leia loathed doing. And then, there was the whole Jedi thing. Han just didn't believe in that Force stuff. But there was definitely something strange about Skywalker and Kenobi. They were nothing like the Jedi he had heard of. Hell, he had always been told that Jedi were forbidden to marry, much less have children. Yet, here were two that were happily married with families actively fighting in the rebellion. Those two definitely struck him as strange. Skywalker and Kenobi were definitely different, but Han still didn't trust Jedi in general. To him, they were still dangerous wizards that used their magic and light swords to intimidate people. They stole babies from their parents and raised them to be emotionless servants to the Republic. Or at least, they had been servants to the republic before the empire. Skywalker and Kenobi certainly didn't fit that profile, but he would always be cautious around a Jedi.
An hour later, the Millennium Falcon landed on the planet Hoth. The planet was in the middle of having a blizzard and Han knew it would be impossible to take off again until it began to clear up. The passengers aboard the Falcon disembarked.
"Captain, I'll have someone issue you and Chewy quarters until this blizzard clears. You're welcome to stay as long as you want," Anakin said.
"Thanks, but we'll be leaving as soon as this storm clears," Han insisted. He wasn't getting caught up in this cause. No way. They were staying until the storm let up and then they were gone.
"Well, it's about time you two got here," Aayla Secura said, as she greeted them.
"It's good to see you Aayla," Anakin said.
"It's good to see you too Anakin," she replied.
"The council is meeting now master Kenobi," Aayla said. Obi-Wan nodded.
"Anakin, they would like you to be present since you will be the knight leading the mission against the strike on the death star," Aayla said. Anakin nodded and handed Larisa to Padme.
"Why can't I come daddy?" Larisa pouted. Anakin chuckled and tickled her.
"You'd be bored little angel. I'll be back in time to tuck you in," Anakin said, kissing her cheek and then giving Padme a quick kiss on the lips.
Aayla entered the room designated as the council chambers on the new base. Anakin and Obi-Wan followed him in. The new council that had been formed after order 66 consisted of nine members. Master Yoda was attending by hologram from Dagobah. Mace Windu, Aayla Secura, Kit Fisto, Bultar Swan, and Obi-Wan Kenobi were present in person. Agen Kolar and Master Kuro, or the dark woman, attended by hologram.
Obi-Wan and Aayla took their seats and Anakin stood in the middle. Obi-Wan had suggested many times that Anakin should be elevated to the rank of master and granted his place on the council. However, there were a few of the masters who didn't agree and he sensed the tension in the air already. He had a bad feeling about this meeting.
"The death star plans are still being analyzed to determine a weakness in the design," Mace announced.
"Once found, strike we must. This weapon, a great danger it is. Safe, no planet will be once operational it is," Yoda said.
"Knight Skywalker, you have been chosen to lead this strike. Are you ready to undertake such a task?" Bultar Swan asked.
"Yes master Swan, Luke and I are ready to lead this mission. I've seen the death star first hand and it's massive. We must destroy it," Anakin replied.
"You think your son is ready to undertake this mission with you?" Mace questioned.
"Yes master, Luke is an excellent pilot already. If I am to get a clear shot at our target, I'll need him piloting with me," Anakin replied.
"Yes, yes, take your padawan you will, Anakin," Yoda approved.
"Surely you jest master. Luke Skywalker's training has not been sanctioned by this council. Nor has young Zach Kenobi's. We expelled Anakin for breaking the code against marriage. We let him back in and he broke another code by deciding not only to train all his children, but to wait until they are too old to do so," the dark woman argued.
"Matter now this does not master Kuro. A new path the order must take. Still failing to see this you and many others are. Too sure of ourselves we were. Set in our ways and refused change we did. Nearly destroyed we were," Yoda reminded.
"If I might remind you also, it was Anakin and Padme that discovered Sidious' identity in the first place. Things could have been much worse," Obi-Wan said.
"That may be so, but I still do not think it is wise for you both to be training your own children. Knight Skywalker, can you honestly tell me that you do not give preferential treatment to your padawan, because he is your son? Master Kolar asked.
"There are times when Luke is my son and there are times where he is my padawan. I assure you that Luke knows the difference," Anakin replied.
"Anakin is doing a fine job of raising young Luke, you can be assured of that," Obi-Wan replied.
"You still intend to train your youngest?" Mace asked.
"Yes master, she is very strong in the Force," Anakin replied.
"Yes, we know. The council believes that she should be taken by a master right away. Since you already have a padawan, we feel that she should be taken by another master. Anakin, I know how difficult it will be for you and your wife, but we must think about what's in Larisa's best interest. We need all the Jedi we can get," Mace said gently.
"Her mother and I will always do what's in her best interest. Larisa will be a Jedi, but she will be a child first. And I will train her when the time is right," Anakin replied.
"Your emotional attachments cloud your judgement," Master Kuro scolded.
"I was under the impression that this meeting was about the mission, not about my little girl," Anakin replied.
"Correct Knight Skywalker is, discuss this any longer we will not. Take the youngest Skywalker from her family we will not," Yoda argued.
"I agree with master Yoda. Times have changed and so we must as well. Anakin may have broken the code, but he has proven himself to be a great Jedi," Kit Fisto announced.
"Master Fisto is correct. I, too, have broken the code and it hasn't made me any less a Jedi. In fact, it has made me a better one," Obi-Wan replied.
"As long as the Empire exists, whether or not we have a code, does not matter. Master Kolar and I will also be flying the mission with Anakin. But Knight Skywalker will lead this mission. He is the best pilot we have," Aayla said.
"Decided it is. Adjourned this meeting is," Yoda said, as his hologram faded out. Anakin turned and left the council chambers as quickly as possible.
"Ani, are you okay?" Padme asked, as she saw him come over to her.
"I'll be fine. Where are the kids?" he asked. She smiled.
"They're in bed, waiting for you to come say goodnight," Padme replied, as she kissed him softly.
"I'm going to say goodnight," Anakin said. Padme nodded.
"I'll be in soon," she replied.
"Obi-Wan, what went on in there? Or do I want to know? What in the world were they attacking him about this time?" Padme asked, firing the questions his way.
"Most of the same old things. But they mentioned wanting to have Larisa taken by another master to begin training. Anakin refused of course, but I can tell he is very upset. As far as Anakin is concerned, the sun rises and sets on you and the children. He needs you," Obi-Wan said. Padme nodded.
"Sabe and Zach are already settled in their quarters. We'll see you in the morning Obi-Wan," Padme said.
"Good night Padme," Obi-Wan said, as he headed for his quarters where his own family was waiting for him.
Obi-Wan entered Zach's room and kissed him good night on the cheek.
"Good night daddy," Zach said.
"Good night Zachary," Obi-Wan said, softly. Sabe wrapped her arms around her husband, as they quietly left their son's room.
"So, how did it go?" Sabe asked.
"Oh, the same old stuff really," Obi-Wan replied.
"That bad huh?" Sabe asked.
"Yes, that bad. They wanted Anakin to let another master take and train Larisa," Obi-Wan replied.
"I'm sure Anakin didn't take that well," Sabe replied.
"About as well as I took it when they wanted to take Zach from us," Obi-Wan remembered losing his temper that day, something that he rarely did. But being a husband and father had given him a sense of protectiveness and for the first time, Obi-Wan had truly understood everything that Anakin had felt when he had gone through the same thing with the council.
"I feel terrible sometimes," Obi-Wan said.
"Why?" Sabe asked.
"I was hard on Anakin when he was young. Truthfully, I didn't really want him at first and he knew it. It took us a long time to get past it and even then it reared its ugly head once in a while. On top of that, the council was always so harsh with him he never had it easy in the temple. Everyone was so mistrustful of him and someone was always watching him, just waiting for him to mess up. Because of that, Anakin acted out a lot. Some on the council are still mistrustful of him. I have broken the same codes as Anakin has and I shouldn't be on the council if he can't be," Obi-Wan said in frustration. Sabe hugged him and rubbed his back in comfort.
"What exactly is keeping him from being admitted to the council?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It's a rule that when selecting a new member to the council that it must be unanimous," Obi-Wan replied.
"And it's not?" Sabe asked.
"No, master Kuro, master Kolar, and master Swan have deemed him to attached and too undisciplined to take a seat on the council. Master Yoda, Master Fisto, Master Secura and I agree that he should be admitted. I think Master Windu is still undecided, for he hasn't revealed his opinion on the matter. They are also against my remaining on the council too, but fortunately, it has to be unanimous to kick someone off too," Obi-Wan said with a small smile.
"You Jedi and your rules," Sabe half joked.
"Yes and to think I used to be one of the staunchest supporters of that blasted code," Obi-Wan replied.
"I remember. But I'm glad you saw things my way instead," Sabe replied, as she kissed him tenderly.
"Me too," Obi-Wan replied. Sabe smirked seductively at him, took his arm, and led him into the bedroom.
Anakin slipped quietly into the twins' rooms and kissed them goodnight. Then, he slipped quietly into Larisa's room and kissed her. She stirred and opened her eyes.
"Daddy?" she asked.
"Hi princess," he said.
"Are you sad daddy?" she asked. He smiled at her. She was so perceptive for her age.
"No sweetie, I'm okay," Anakin replied, as he sensed Padme waiting for him outside.
"Go back to sleep little angel. I'll see you in the morning," Anakin told her, as he kissed her forehead and slipped out quietly. Padme wrapped her arms around her husband's waist and kissed his lips passionately. Anakin eagerly returned the kiss, wanting nothing more than to drown in her. But he knew that Padme would make him talk, so that he wouldn't bottle his emotions inside. She was so good at helping him control his anger and frustrations.
"Am I selfish for not letting someone else train Larisa?" Anakin asked.
"Ani, if not wanting to give up your children to some stranger is selfish, then you, me, and every other parent in this galaxy is selfish. They couldn't have Luke and Leia and they can't have Larisa. You are not in the wrong Anakin," Padme insisted. He smiled at her.
"You always know what to say to make me feel better," Anakin replied.
"I don't care what they say about you Ani. You're a wonderful husband, a wonderful father, and a great Jedi. Do you see the kids' faces light up when they see you? They adore their daddy and I adore you too," Padme said tenderly, as she stroked his cheek.
"You and the kids are my life. I don't know what I'd do if I lost any of you," Anakin replied.
"You won't lose any of us Ani," Padme said, as she kissed him passionately. They went into their bedroom and Padme changed into a lavender nightgown. Anakin changed into his sleep pants and sat down on the bed. Padme climbed behind him and began to massage his shoulders.
"Oh, that feels so good," Anakin said.
"You're tense tonight baby," Padme replied, as she climbed around him and straddled his lap.
"Well, it's definitely getting less tense...in my shoulders anyway," Anakin said, as he nuzzled her neck. Padme giggled and kissed him deeply, as they let the bed catch them...
The next morning, all the pilots flying the mission, the Jedi, and leaders of the rebellion were all gathered around the holo table where a hologram image of the death star was being displayed.
"We have found a flaw in the design. In the heart of the death star lies the reactor. If the reactor is destroyed, the entire station will implode," Bail said.
"How the frack are we supposed to get anywhere near the reactor?" one skeptical pilot shouted.
"We have discovered small gaps in the shielding system. This will allow small ships to pass through and into the trenches. Once in, it will be necessary to navigate the trenches to the reactor and launch a torpedo into it," Mon Mothma spoke.
"What you're speaking of is suicide! It can't be done!" another skeptical pilot shouted.
"We have received reports that the death star's main weapon is operational. If we do not destroy it, then the Empire will demonstrate it's power on unsuspecting planets that refuse to bend to their will. Billions of lives will be lost!" Padme said. Anakin placed his hands on her shoulders to calm her. She looked up at him and he nodded.
"As you know, I'll be leading this mission. We can do this and it is possible. My wife is right. We have seen this monstrous thing from the inside and it must be destroyed before it destroys lives," Anakin said.
"With all due respect General Skywalker, but whoever is successful in getting a shot at the reactor will have to pull out at inhuman speeds in order to escape," another pilot said. Anakin smirked and looked down at his son, who smirked back up at him.
"It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon back on Tatooine," Anakin and Luke said simultaneously.