A/N- Thank you for the reviews. Here is the update. Please review and leave feedback as needed. -GP
Chapter 21
Location: Imperial Center, Emperor Palpatine's Personal Office.
Month 3 Day 2 Year 28 BBY
Four of the most influential men in the galaxy sit within the office walls. The blood red walls are a contrast to the four men sitting across from one another, discussing the plans of the future.
" How is the boy's training coming?" The Emperor questions his lead Inquisitor.
Inquisitor Maul's golden eyes turn on his master. He states firmly, " The boy's abilities grow each day within his training at the academy. He will be ready to begin his training under my guidance within the next three months."
The Empire's sneer usually sends cool shivers down any average noblemen's back. For Maul it does nothing, as he is not afraid of the old man. The old man's powers are not waning in his elderly years, but his body is growing old. It would be a matter of time before he would need to attempt a transfer to the boy's body to continue reigning over the Empire. But the boy is not ready and needs more time and guidance with his powers within the dark side of the force and Maul would be in charge of his training. Training Skywalker as an Inquisitor and seeing his rise in the ranks of the Imperial Navy would establish him when the transfer is made.
" Good, Count Dooku, has Senator Clovis approved our funding for the Battle Station?" The Emperor asks.
Count Dooku crosses his fingers and confirms, " He has approved the funding as of today. The funding should arrive within the next week."
The Emperor's cackle fills the room. " Very good, our plans for a peaceful galaxy are taking formation-"
" My master, there has been a development." Dooku mentions, interrupting his master.
Three pairs of eyes dart in his direction. The Emperor's somber mood alters drastically and Dooku fears losing his neck or worse being hit with lightning again. His anger is directed at Dooku as he snaps, " What is your development? I do not like to be interrupted."
Dooku nods his head and croaks out, " My master, apologizes, but there is a development that we must attend to. It seems that Skywalker has fathered a child."
The Emperor's teeth grit together and he mentions, " How is it you have discovered this child?"
Dooku's brown eyes watch the other members of the council and he finds his eyes on Mass Amedda, then Maul, and then back on his master.
He states, " Senator Clovis' wife is carrying a very powerful force sensitive child and my source within Clovis' home confirms that she is well-acquainted with Skywalker. So my master, I ask what we should do about this threat?"
The Emperor's golden eyes tear into his brown ones. He can feel his master scrubbing through his mind and it is painful. He tries to not throw his eyes shut at the feeling of his attack on his mind. He keeps his eyes on those golden ones most people fear. He feels the pull of the memory of the Lady Clovis from his mind and the sensations of reading the child through the force. The assault on his mind is abrupt and Dooku grips his chair as his master sneers out, " Yes, powerful indeed. This must be dealt with carefully. Have your source within their household take care of the mother and child."
Inquisitor Maul questions of the Emperor's orders, " My master, won't this tip the boy towards the light? If the boy loses someone he cares-"
Maul feels the cool force fingers around his neck. He grasps the cool prickly force fingers. The Emperor growls out, " Do not question my decisions Inquisitor. Perhaps I will just replace you with the boy if you choose to question my orders. Do you understand?"
Maul nods and seethes out, " Yes-"
The Emperor senses his rage through the force and pulls back those cool force fingers. He turns to the group and states, " Meeting is adjourned. I would like an update within the next week of the progress on the Battle Station. Mass Amedda inform Director Krenic his real work can begin."
Mass Amedda's blue eyes watch his master and he bows his head in agreement. " Of course, your grace."
Location: Imperial Navy Academy
Month 3 Day 3 Year 28 BBY
The Lake of Varykino shimmers in the sunlight. Crystal blue waves gently rise and fall on the beach. The light breeze skims past his face and he breathes in the fresh air. Naboo always has been his grounding within the force. It reminds him of his childhood and her. He can hear her laughter in the distance.
" Padme," Her name graces his lips. If anyone can ground him, it's her. She is his balance- the part of him that would risk anything to save her. To keep her safe- his home.
She came to his mind many times before. But this time he feels her there with him. His eyes open in awe, eyeing his best friend sitting beside him. Her brown curls fall down her shoulders and her skin is open for him to stare at. She wears her yellow swimsuit she had worn last summer. Her head is cocked, watching him intently.
" Are you enjoying the show?" She flirts, eyeing him suspiciously. He knows it's a jeer, and not an insult. She enjoys watching him becoming flustered under her gaze.
He smirks and responds, " Are you?"
The smirk on her own features mirrors his own. She replies shrugging, " Of course I am."
He laughs at her and pulls her in and kisses her lips. She responds and kisses him back. He pulls away and whispers against her forehead, " I miss you."
She sighs and murmurs back, " I miss you as well. I need you Anakin."
Her tone of voice sounds almost frightened as if the scene around them changes rapidly. His eyes snap open feeling the alternation in the force. He eyes the love of his life as she shutters and blood drips down her sweet red lips. His eyes widen and he feels the liquid on his hands. His eyes downcast to her abdomen- red liquid spills out of a knife wound. She shudders and falls to the side utter, " Ank-"
" No! NO!"
Anakin feels the firm hands on his shoulders. His heart thumps painfully against his chest, as he blinks away the dream- no vision from his mind. His eyes flicker to that of his mentor, Qui-gon. Qui-gon eyes the young man as he shakes him out of the vision. " Anakin, are you alright?"
Anakin blinks and stares back at his concerned mentor's gaze. He wipes the perspiration of his face with the back of his hand. He brings his hands back into view and they are shaking, remember the thick oozing liquid running out of his friend.
Qui-gon grips his shaking hands and asks, " You had a vision. Who was the girl?"
Anakin's gaze snaps back to his mentor and he utters, " Padme- she's my friend from Naboo. The vision felt like a warning. Qui-gon I don't understand-"
Qui-gon watches the young man tremble in front of him. This girl meant a lot to him. He asks, " Anakin I need to know more about your connection with her. I might be able to help figure out why you're having warnings about her."
Anakin swallows the lump in his throat. Ben had kept her connection to him a secret from even his master. Anakin stammers out, " She's th-e wo-man I love."
Qui-gon searches his thoughts on what he saw. He questions, " Do you know of any reason why she'd be in any danger?"
Anakin nods and murmurs, " She's with child. Gods- I can't have something happen to her."
Qui-gon eyes the boy and asks, " Are you the child's father?"
Anakin's gaze flickers to his hands once more- picturing her red blood stained on them. This meditation session had been to help begin his grounding in the force and to begin his training with basic mental shielding. He hadn't meant to feel Padme' there within his connection to the force. It had happened on its own.
Qui-gon rubs his weary eyes and knows the child may be in danger. If the Emperor has become aware of his offspring, then it would be a threat to his plans for Anakin. He responds, " It is possible the Emperor knows of your child's existence. It is possible that the force is warning of the danger ahead. Where is this girl now?"
Anakin stands upon hearing his mentor's words. He'd never forgive himself if his child or Padme' were hurt by anyone. He begins to pace and stammers out, " She's here on Coruscant- she's married to Senator Clovis."
Fear begins to rise in his force signature. His hands tremble and turn into fists. He has to warn her, but how? How can he warn her of the encroaching danger without revealing to her of his connections to the rebellion?
" Anakin you must be careful. You must warn her without drawing attention to yourself or her." Qui-gon surmises.
He bobs his head. Maybe he can get word to Sabe' for Padme' to call him. Perhaps he can go as a casual visit to check on her well-being. He can keep an eye on her until after the baby is born. Yes, he can to that-
He hears the beeping of a comm. link in the background. It beeps twice more and then a third time. Anakin turns and eyes his tan desk. The comm. Link is his own. He reaches for it and answers weakly, " Yes?"
" Anakin? Oh thank the maker you answered!" The worry is evident in her voice.
" Sabe?" His voice asks.
Sabe has called on some occasions to see how his training was coming along. They hadn't seen each other in person in a few weeks. She had come to call on Obi-wan and ended up having lunch with both young men. She liked to keep an eye on her adoptive brother. She liked to know he was doing okay and it gave her a chance to see his friend Ben again.
Her voice stammers and she says, " Look- I know things between you and Padme' are estranged- but you're the closest to family she's got here besides me. I need you to come to the Infirmary now, please."
His eyes turn back to his mentor's and widen. He tries to stay strong, thinking of the vision. Has she been stabbed? Is she dying?
" What's wrong Sabes?" He asks.
Her voice is tight with worry and sorrow. " Padme went into preterm labor an hour ago and she's been asking for you."
Anakin swallows painfully and asks, " Where's her husband?"
Sabe's voice is tight and annoyance can be heard through her speaking. " He's off on a world-some business trip to Cato Nemoia. Anakin- the baby-" He can hear the tears in her voice now.
" Sabe' which Infirmary is she in?" Anakin asks without hesitation.
" 502 Alpha. The one closest to Five Hundred Republica." She adds.
" I'll be there soon, thank you for calling."
The sound of the line goes dead. Anakin turns to his Vice Admiral seeking permission to leave the premises. Qui-gon nods and says, " Go-she's going to need a friend there."
Anakin nods without saying another word, hoping and praying that they are both all right. He hopes he's not too late.
To Be Continued.