Chapter X

Anakin touched the Comm's private sequencer and the line became secure, the fist sized image of Padmé Amidala secretly Skywalker appeared, she smiled, "Ani, its so good to finally hear from you,"

The Jedi Master nodded and lightly touched his robes where his letter to Padmé still was, "I want you and the children as well as your family to get a shuttle and get of Naboo, go to Coruscant, I will meet you there,"

Padmé looked concerned and Anakin couldn't help but see how lovely she was, "What's wrong Anakin? We have heard rumors but…"

"They are true, seven planets have fallen to the new threat," he replied softly, his head hanging down.

"Palpatine? The Sith?" she asked unsure.

"No, this is different, some are dark, some are light, the Death Seekers, a new order," he squinted as he tried to think of a word to describe them, "an old order,"

Padmé's image wavered as she turned slightly, "hold on Luke, don't do that to your sister's hair!"

Anakin smiled, "How are they?"

She returned the gesture, "they are doing well but…they miss you Anakin, they know you love them but…"

"Is that daddy?" he heard a young voice say, he knew it was Luke and watched as a short beautiful toddler, he giggled as he came into view, the boy's blue eyes were sharp and full of joy, his blonde hair cut short, "daddy," said the boy elated.

"That daddy? That daddy?" he heard another voice say and his daughter appeared, "hi daddy,"

Anakin felt pained, he hadn't seen his children for near a month, and the pain was becoming unbearable, "hi Luke, Leia, daddy misses you,"

Luke and Leia smiled and laughed happily, "When we see you?" asked Luke as he clasped his hands behind his back, imitating his father's posture.

"Soon," promised Anakin with a smile.

"Okay daddy," replied Luke as he ran off and Leia followed with a giggle.

Padmé smiled fondly at them, and Anakin heard a droid's voice over the holoreceiver, "Oh master Luke, mistress Leia that isn't right, no not my focal receptors, oh mistress Padmé help!"

His wife smiled back, "alright Anakin, we'll leave, I love you,"

"I love you too," he replied softly, "and I'll see you soon," his wife's image distorted until it was no more, the Jedi Master breathed deeply and hung his head, "soon," he whispered to himself.

Quinlan Vos' image, as well as the image of Khaleen Hentz beside him shone before Jedi Master Tholme, the elegant Jedi Master coughed ever slightly, "Ah Quin, enjoying your retirement?"

Quinlan's face remained impassive, "What is wrong Tholme?"

Tholme smiled ever slightly, "Never happy to just talk eh Quinlan? You are requested to return to the Jedi Temple immediately, we are again at war,"

"I am no longer a Jedi," replied Quinlan defiant, "I now have a son, I cannot leave him,"

Tholme shook his head, "If you care for your son, if you care for Khaleen then I suggest you return immediately, the new threat will pose a danger to all Jedi, and all that are Force-sensitive,"

Quinlan looked exasperated but sighed, "alright Master Tholme, I will be there,"

Tholme nodded and the image dissipated.

Jedi Master Mace Windu nodded, "Yes Master K'Kruhk, you must return at once, all Jedi are required, this threat is too great to allow it to go unchecked, they are committing crimes against civilization,"

The Whiphid's features changed, "Against civilization? Crimes such as those have not been enacted since the Sith War,"

"Their threat is great," replied Mace.

K'Kruhk nodded, "I shall return from my meditation, and my self imposed exile in order to aide the Republic again Master Windu,"

Jedi Master Aigus embraced Mawn and her tears finally fell onto his shoulders, after four years of being lost in Hutt space he was finally back, Mawn quietly wept against the chest of the only man she loved more than her master. The only man that had secretly stolen her heart so long ago, "I love you," she managed between her teeth.

"I love you too," he replied softly, allowing her presence to bolster him in the Force, he had missed her so much, and he was again with her, forever, "the war is starting again, let us run away together, elope, raise a family, leave the Jedi behind," he whispered into her ears, away from the always hearing passing padawans and Jedi Knights in the Temple's lower chambers.

Mawn shook her head andraised it fromhis chest, "no, we must fulfill our duty,"

Aigus noddedand touched her face, more tears slowly slid down hernow red cheeks and he leaned forward, her lips were warm against his and they relaxed into each other, knowing full well that itmight be the last time they wouldever kiss.