Chapter XXXVI

Senatorial Apartments, Coruscant

Anakin and Padme sat opposite each other in their Living Quarters. The Jedi Master's face was distant, his gaze far reaching.

Padme was worried about her husband, as she was worried about the entire galaxy. She had not taken any active role or part of importance in the war in view of her children. However in recent days she was considering becoming a senator again or even enlisting as a Republic Diplomat to hold conferences with the Death Seekers.

However the beautiful woman from Naboo was much more pre-occupied with worrying about Anakin at the moment, "What's wrong Ani?" she asked softly, it was late in the evening; Luke and Leia were both fast asleep. Their Nanny Droid positioned in a defensive angle outside their room.

Anakin's eyes returned to their plane, they caught her own, "I was just worried about all that has transpired, that's all," he was quiet again.

Padme pressed her lips together in determination, "Tell me Anakin, tell me what's bothering you,"

Anakin sighed relenting; "It's just that I feel the affects of the war taking its toll on our children. Both Luke and Leia are much more aggressive than they should be, much quicker to violence and anger, frustration. The atmosphere of war that surrounds their growth and upbringing may harm them in even greater ways than ever thought imaginable."

The Jedi Master grew silent again, and Padme waited for him to continue. She would not interrupt him while he was revealing his deepest thoughts to her.

"When war touched the galaxy. When the dark side touched the galaxy I felt it echo through the Force. When Brethis, Atehas, Mayras, and other planets were laid desolate; I felt it echo through the Force. It is obvious that Luke and Leia, although not fully trained in the Force also felt their destruction as life was ripped from its bosom." Anakin's face fell, "and these echoes can lead to the destruction of our children," his eyes became icy as they again caught Padme's, "as the darkness ascends upon the galaxy, Luke and Leia may very well be consumed by darkness,"

Padme gasped and felt a coldness grip her heart. It was fear; fear of losing her husband, fear of losing her children, fear of all the things that the Death Seekers brought with them when they entered the galaxy.

Anakin rose from his position, "Padme I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I-," he fell silent.

Padme frowned, "what's wrong?"

Anakin's lightsaber snapped to life as he spun from his chair sending it reeling. Three robed figures appeared in front of him, lightsabers blazing to life simultaneously.

"Anakin!" screamed Padme in surprise she took two steps back to pick up her blaster pistol that was on the counter.

Anakin spun the lightsaber on his wrist, "Peace Death Seekers, leave here now and leave with your lives," he brought his lightsaber into Form VII Juyo, "or don't leave here alive,"

One of the figures laughed and pulled at the cowl of his robes revealing familiar features, "Ah Master Skywalker, I had not been able to meet you when I had wished but still, it is an honor," he made a mock bow, "I am Lord Fyte,"

Anakin frowned, "The Lord that Obi-Wan and Ian met?"

"Yes," replied Fyte, he rushed forward, "time to die Anakin!"

Anakin spun his lightsaber on his wrist again intercepting all three lightsabers at once, he managed a grunt as he used the Force to enhance his strength repelling their attack. On his heel he spun, the arc of the lightsaber's blade a ring of energy as it made contact with another lightsaber. It crackled and sparks flew as both again made contact.

The Jedi Master was having difficulty counteracting their attacks properly, they were too well knit in their attacks; each taking their turn to attack him. It was time to even the odds he thought to himself.

One of the combatants deflected a blaster bolt that Padme had managed to fire, another was reflected to hit Padme directly in her blaster hand. The woman gave a shriek in pain and tried to retreat to the balcony.

A Death Seekers made a dismissive flick of the wrist in her direction, sending her reeling outward. Padme stumbled back and fell from the balcony, her good hand managing to grasp the ledge, "Anakin!" she screamed in fear.

"Padme!" shouted Anakin as he tried to turn to her, two other lightsabers appeared and now Anakin was pitted against five Death Seekers. He heard a sound he did not wish to hear, and that made his heart grow cold in fear.

"Father?" asked a sleepy eyed Luke as he stood in the doorway of his and Leia's room, still in his night robes.

"Ah," said Lord Fyte, "the Skywalker child," he laughed, "aren't the Jedi forbidden to have a children, or even marry for that matter?" he laughed again, "the Death Seekers have no such restrictions,"

Luke and Leia both stood in their doorway, wide-eyed at the battle that had erupted. Two Death Seekers surrounded them and both children began to cry.

Anakin managed a scream of frustration as he allowed the Force to overcome him, again like it did when his mother died. His family was in danger, and whichever side of the Force flowed through him he knew one thing: His family would not be hurt or the Death Seekers would no longer seek death; Death would seek them all.