We spend the next two hours hammering out the details of our plan. The tension level is high and climbing higher by the minute. And although this was my brilliant idea, I am no politician. I will leave the fine details of this scheme in more capable hands, namely, Padmé and Leia. They are both in their element while I am merely along for the ride. Yet I am at the centre of al this, a fact which is starting to hit home. I can feel the anxiety slowly spreading through me as the hour of my destiny approaches.

It's okay…you'll do great... I hear my son's thoughts in my mind and turn my eyes to his. I hope you're right, I tell him silently. Luke merely smiles in response, but I can feel the love and admiration within him and see it in his eyes.

A young officer enters the room at this moment. "Excuse me," he begins. We all look up expectantly. "But we've just received a message from Admiral Kastellan on board the Intimidator. Everyone has arrived."

"Thank you," Piett replies. He then turns to me. "Well Anakin, looks like all the pieces are in place."

"Yes, so it seems," I reply. I take a deep breath and look around the table at everyone seated there.

"Would you mind if I had a few minutes alone?" I ask them. "I…I just need some time to prepare for this mentally."

"Of course," Padmé replies, standing up. "You take all the time you need, Anakin." She kisses my cheek as she passes me by, and I can sense the trepidation and fear within her as she does so.

One by one each of them leaves, until I am alone. Or am I? I look up to see Leia standing before me.

"Scared?" she asks as she pulls herself up on the tabletop.

"Yes," I admit readily. "Really scared."

She nods as she crosses her legs, one leg swinging over the edge of the table.

"That's good," she pronounces.

"Is it?" I ask.

"Yes, being scared means you won't do anything rash," she replies. "You'll be careful and not make any mistakes."

"Well let's hope that is the case," I tell her.

"It will be," she replies confidently. "Because that's how it is with me."

I lift an eyebrow, intrigued by her comment. She goes on to explain.

"You once told me that I was a lot like you," she continues. "That you saw a great deal of yourself in me. I didn't want to hear it at the time, but even then I knew you were right. I am like you, Dad. A lot like you. That's why I know being scared right now is the best and safest way for you to feel."

I smile. "A sound theory," I tell her. "Why do I sense that there's more to it, though? What is it that you are really trying to say, Leia?"

She looks down at her boots, in a gesture reminiscent of me when I want to avoid talking about something. I stand up and lift her chin so that she is looking in my eyes. "You're scared too," I tell her gently. She only nods, frustrated by the tears that fill her eyes.

"Leia, my sweet Leia," I say, embracing her. "Don't be afraid. I'm going to get through this just fine. We all will. Trust me."

Leia sniffs and pulls back to look at me. "You know I trust you," she replies. "It's just that…if something should happen to you..." she stops, unable to continue. I take her face in my hands. "Nothing is going to happen to me, do you hear me? Nothing. Got it?"

She nods. "Got it," she replies softly. She sniffs again and hops down off of the table. She starts to leave and then turns back to me. "Oh, and by the way, in case I haven't told you, I'm very proud to be your daughter," she tells me. My eyes fill up as she leaves the room, my heart swelling with love and pride for this remarkable young woman that I am privileged to call my daughter. I wipe the tears away and sit down and do my best to prepare myself for what lies ahead.

You never were one to take the time to learn proper meditation techniques, Anakin.

I look up and see Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon standing before me. I smile, pleased beyond measure to see them.

"Well, there were always more interesting things to do, Master," I tell him with a smile. "You know what you always used to say about me, 'always on the move.'"

They both laugh at my comment. "How interesting, Obi-Wan, that you used the very same expression that I used to say about you," Qui-Gon says with a smile.

This causes me to laugh, particularly at the expression on Obi-Wan's face. "I had no idea," I tell him. "And here I always thought you were the perfect Jedi."

Obi-Wan shrugs. "Not exactly, Anakin. But I did my best."

"We all did," Qui-Gon replies, putting an ethereal hand on his former padawan's equally ethereal shoulder. He looks up at me. "And now it is your turn, Ani, your turn to face your greatest test. I know you will triumph. You are the Chosen One, it is your destiny.

I nod, trying to gain strength from his affirmation. "I know that this is my destiny, Qui-Gon," I tell him. "But I have to admit that the prospect of that much power worries me. Will I be strong enough to lay it down again once I have accomplished my mission?"

"We cannot see the future, Anakin," Obi-Wan replies. "You know that. But both Qui-Gon and I have the utmost confidence in you. You are not the headstrong young man I trained all those years ago. You have suffered tremendously because of your errors, and that suffering has changed you, humbled you, and made you into a better man, a true Jedi at last."

I smile. "It means a lot to hear you say that, Obi-Wan," I tell him gratefully. "Your opinion has always meant a great deal to me. As has yours, Qui-Gon."

"I agree with Obi-Wan on this," Qui-Gon tells me. "You are finally the Jedi we all hoped you would become. 22 years ago this test would have destroyed you, just as you were destroyed by Palpatine's temptation of power. But now you have learned how destructive that power can be, and you will not let it destroy you again, Ani. Have confidence that you are strong enough to face this. Don't be afraid, Ani. You are the greatest Jedi who ever lived; you have no reason to fear."

I am overwhelmed by his words. At one time in my life I truly felt that I was the greatest Jedi; but that was mere youthful arrogance, and the dark side lurking within me. I know that I have changed; I know that I am stronger. I know that I am indeed the Chosen One.

"Your words honour me," I tell him. "I will do my best to live up to them, Qui-Gon, and to your faith in me."

Qui-Gon smiles. "Of that I have no doubt, my former padawan."

"May the Force be with you, Anakin," Obi-Wan tells me with a warm smile.

"Thank you," I tell them both. "And with both of you."

I find my family in the quarters where Padmé and I have been staying. They all look up at me as I enter the room. One need not be a Jedi to sense the tension in the room, it is all but palpable. I can see in the eyes of each of them the same fear and anxiety that I feel surging through myself.

"Well," I tell them. "I guess it's time to get down to it."

"I want to come with you," Padmé tells me.

"No Padmé," I tell her firmly. "Not this time. There could be danger; I might be put in a position where I will be forced to use violence. I hope not, but I have to be realistic about this."

"Dad is right," Luke tells his mother. "Those who are opposing him could use you against him, Mother. He could be put in a position where he has to choose between saving you and following their wishes. That could be disastrous, because we all know what decision he would make."

Padmé looks at me. "He would choose to save me," she says softly. "I see your point Luke." She sighs. "I would hate to put you in that position, Ani," she tells me.

I walk over to her and put my hand to her face. "Thank you for understanding," I tell her softly. I look up at the rest of my family. "I'm going to need all of you here, ready to respond if things go wrong."

"We will be ready," Han replies. "But how will we know if you're in trouble?"

"Luke and I will know," Leia assures him. "We have a connection with our father, Han, through the Force."

I smile. "Yes, you certainly do." I take a deep breath. "Okay, enough procrastinating. Time to do this."

I head for the 'fresher to don the dreaded black suit once again.