The first chapter of the New Year. I know it's not turning out as well as we would have hoped, but we'll get through it. We always do. In the meantime, just sit back, read this latest chapter and enjoy:)

Star Wars

Twin Suns Early Rise

Chapter 11: Hello There

When Kenobi awoke the next morning, he sensed the arrival of additional guests outside his home. At first, he suspected it was some jawas coming to do some trade, as they passed by on occasion. But right before he opened the door he felt the presence of at least two individuals very strong in the force standing outside; something the hermit had never encountered from Jawas in all the years he'd spent on Tatooine.

When he opened the door, he was met by a small group of people comprised of an older woman, along with two younger males in their late teens, all of whom Kenobi knew all too well. There were also two others; a blue and white astromech droid who stood beside a young female around the same age frame as the boys, but wearing clothes that weren't worn out like the others, but instead shining, even despite being covered in Tatooine's sand, and appearing to be made of high-quality materials. Kenobi recognized the two. The droid he'd served alongside years ago during the wars; while the girl, despite her being a newborn when he last saw her, carried the image and spirit of both her parents combined. "Hello there," he greeted.

"Good morning to you too Ben," Beru, the older member of the group responded politely. "I see you already have company," she said taking notice of Rex, who'd just woken up and now stood behind Kenobi by the door.

"Mam," Rex acknowledged.

One of the two young men standing behind Beru, her nephew Luke, began to speak, "If this is a bad time, then perhaps we should-" but was cut off when the droid started warbling and whistling in a happy tone as he bumped past the others, making his way over to Rex.

"Good to see you too old buddy," Rex replied, patting the droid on his domed head, which surprised the others, except Kenobi.

"You two know each other?" Luke asked.

"Of course. His master was my general during the Clone Wars. I trusted him with my life almost as many times as I did with your father."

Both Luke and Biggs' eyes went wide when Rex said this.

"You mean… you're?" Luke began to ask.

"Rex. Captain Rex. 501st Clone Battalion. Under the command of Jedi General Anakin Skywalkers and his padawan, Commander Ahsoka Tano," Rex finished. "The former of whom you twin's here," he said while pointing to Luke and the girl standing beside him, Leia, "know as your father."

The shock only intensified as the twins heard the older man's words "How… how did you?" Luke began to ask but again was interrupted as Rex explained himself.

"Know that Anakin Skywalker had kids and that you two: Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, are them? Well, I learned from the man who kept the latter of you safe since your birth; who raised you as his own before you ran off without so much as a note. Viceroy Bail Organa."

Things were quickly getting tense, Kenobi didn't need the force to tell him that. "I think we better take this indoors," he suggested. "We have much to discuss."

Despite Kenobi's hut being a tight fit, Kenobi and his six guests all managed to squeeze in without too much ease. The only discomfort that would be felt was the tensions arising from one of the latest secrets revealed while the group spent the entire morning talking about the twins and their parents; both biological and adoptive.

"So, it's true then," Biggs conferred with Kenobi. "Luke and Leia are twins. Their father, along with you, was a space wizard who fought in the Clone Wars. All of it."

"Indeed," Kenobi stated. "Though I prefer the term Jedi."

Luke breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. Finally, some of the pieces of the puzzle were coming together. However, he now had new questions, ones revolving around his twin sister. "When were you going to mention you were plotting a rebellion to overthrow the Empire?"

Leia began to feel uneasy. She'd known her brother would ask this as soon he learned the truth but that still didn't make talking about it any easier. "We are fighting to restore freedom and democracy to the galaxy," she defended.

"Look, don't get me wrong, I don't like the Empire," Luke confessed. "Heck, I hate what it's done throughout the galaxy. But aren't these rebels just terrorists? I mean I've seen holonet reports depicting them as outlaws attacking flight schools, blowing up communications towers, even assassinating public officials for no reason other than payback for talking trash about them. Doesn't seem like they're any better than the Empire if you ask me."

Leia knew she shouldn't have taken offence to this, even from her brother. This was how many in the galaxy, civilians, soldiers, and political leaders alike saw the rebellion. She questioned the rebels from time to time herself until learning the full truth about them from her parents. Still, it hurt to hear her brother talk about the rebellion like this. "I can assure you that many of the things you see on the holonet were orchestrated by the Empire directly or indirectly; finding ways to make it appear far worse on the holonet than it was to make them look like heroes or victims. They control what is, and what isn't said on all the legal newsfeed channels throughout the galaxy; that's a well-known fact. So of course, they aren't gonna allow the people to know what the Rebels are truly doing. Otherwise, the Empire wouldn't have as much reason to justify the atrocities they've committed over the years. Plus the rebels would be able to gain public support against the Empire in the Imperial Senate, allowing them to further show their true colours to the galaxy, encouraging others to question the acts of Emperor Palpatine and his minion followers."

It took several moments for Luke to gather his thoughts. On one hand, as he just said, he didn't like the Empire and always doubted the stuff the Empire claimed the rebels were doing. But on the other hand, some of the crimes that the rebels were said to have committed Luke had heard from sources outside the holonet. Reliable ones from offworlders in Mos Eisley who saw these rebels in action, or who knew other witnesses. One rebel, in particular, came to Luke's mind.

"I also know of an infamous terrorist named Saw Gerrera. He's been harassing the Empire since its founding, is said to have strong ties with the larger rebellion that's grown significantly over the years, and has done unspeakable crimes not just against imperials, but civilians as well. Many have died by his hands, and he's known for using extreme torture methods like the ones the Empire is rumoured to use."

"Saw was broken during the Clone Wars," Rex explained. "Yes, he's done some questionable stuff during the Empire's reign but after losing everything as he did to them and the Separatists back during the Clone Wars, it's hard to be sympathetic towards those who represent everything that has hurt you."

"True, he has committed crimes that neither my father nor the other rebel leaders support," Leia added on. "Crimes I witnessed, unintentionally, that made me question what my parents were doing. He has been reprimanded more times than any other rebel I know of. Yet as Rex has said, the Clone Wars shattered him, and it has been impossible for anyone to repair him. Also, at this point, he's pretty much split off from the wider rebellion, which many of our allies don't mind.

"Regardless, while Saw may not be the best example of what the rebels are, I promise you that all we want is to bring about a better future for the galaxy. One where the people of all classes and species are free and their voices are heard by all, even the most powerful. Together we seek to create a new republic that embodies the moral principles of freedom and justice like the ones long before corruption infected the galaxy and became the Empire we're forced to live under today. Yes, there's been some bloodshed during this fight, and I won't lie there will be more to come until it's over; but if we just sit by and do nothing the Empire will keep growing, striping more planets of their resources, and sacrificing even more innocent lives to maintain its control. Those who remain will lose the cultural beliefs they hold dear, becoming slaves to the greatest evil in galactic history. We can't stand by and let that happen. Those of us who can fight need to stand up to support the rebellion, in any way we can. That's what my adoptive parents are doing every day. They're rallying systems to join our cause, setting up bases where we can expand our operations, using Alderaan's vast wealth to acquire ships, weapons, medical supplies and other equipment needed to free the galaxy. It's what I've devoted myself to doing.

"I know it's a lot to take in, even more so with the secrets you recently learned about our parents, but try to see the rebels, not as villains, but freedom fighters who represent what the galaxy needs most now more than ever, hope."

Her sister certainly had a knack for speaking, her words touching the hearts of everyone in the small hut, including Luke's. Still, it took him a few minutes to think it over carefully before speaking again, "Would this rebellion by any chance… would they be looking for young pilots to join their ranks?" he asked.

Leia's eyes lit up when she heard her brother ask this. She felt a level of excitement build up in her heart. It made her feel so happy. However, a sudden realization came to her, which caused the princess' joy to fade, replaced with concern for her brother.

"Luke, there's a strong chance you might not make it out of this war alive; and even if you survive, you could be scarred, both physically and mentally for life. Not to mention in war, there's always the possibility of your friends, current and new, or someone else close to you dying or turning against you. These are the prices of war that all soldiers regretfully have to pay, but one we have to accept if we are to free the galaxy."

Despite her warning, this didn't deter Luke's newfound desire to join the rebellion. "What's the other alternative? Wasting my life on this dirtball, doing a job I hate; while innocents suffer under an evil dictatorship? I'm a good pilot and it's been my dream to travel the stars. Might as well make use of those skills and desires to fight alongside my sister for a worthy cause. I don't care what kind of suffering I have to go through because of it, as long as it means I get a chance out there to prove myself; show that I'm more than just a moisture farmer like my uncle. If the rebellion will have me, and my aunt approves, I'd like to join your guy's cause."

Again, Leia's heart filled with joy, and now a few tears were coming out of her eyes. She was so happy that she didn't know how to respond. Instead, she simply looked over at Beru, with Luke doing the same as the older woman nodded her head in approval.

"You have my full support in this," she responded.

The next thing anyone knew, Leia leaped off from the sleeping couch she'd been sitting on over towards the chair Luke was at and crushed her brother in a massive hug; which he gladly returned. When the twins released each other, Rex stepped in and stuck his arm out to Luke, hand wide open. "Well then, on behalf of my superiors in the rebellion, I welcome you Luke Skywalker to the Alliance to Restore the Republic. It'll be an honour to serve alongside a Skywalker again."

In response, Luke took the clone's hand and shook it. "Thank you, Captain Rex, sir."

"I'm in too," Biggs spoke up. "If you're taking my best friend into a war, then I'm gonna be by his side. No imperial wimp is gonna shoot him done on my watch. Besides, I'm a great pilot myself, and you're gonna need all the help you can get if you want to have any chance of taking down that gigantic fleet the Empire's got."

In response, Rex turned towards Biggs and offered his hand out to him just as he'd done with Luke, and the two shook.

Seeing this brought further happiness to Alderaan's heir. In less than twenty-four hours since arriving on Tatooine, she'd reconnected with her long-lost twin brother, met her uncle and aunt; not to mention learned more about her biological family and was now excited as she knew her brother would soon be joining the rebellion. That meant when Rex took her back to Alderaan, she knew she wouldn't have to abandon her brother on this Hutt-controlled dirtball. He'd be placed in the good care of people who would train him and give him the life he wanted so badly. There was also the fact that Biggs was also joining the rebellion; adding two new pilots, and a Jedi Master to their ranks. That is if…

"What about you Master Kenobi?" she said, redirecting everyone's attention over to the Jedi, who'd been sitting peacefully beside Leia on the couch. "Will you also be joining the rebellion as well? We could certainly use more Jedi on our side, especially if we're gonna have any chance of defeating the Emperor and his minions."

"I already discussed this with Rex when he arrived last night," Kenobi responded. "Don't worry, I'll be coming along too. Besides, I have other matters to handle with the rebellion. Which reminds me. I have something for Luke here," he said while standing up and moving through the crowded room towards a chest in the back corner. Opening it up, he pulled out something and carried it over to Luke.

"Your father would have wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. Thought you'd end up following old Obi-Wan on some damfool, idealistic crusade just like your father did."

Luke's eyes widened when he got a good look at the object in Kenobi's arms. It was a small, shiny silver cylinder with black rubbering on one end. He'd seen it before in his dreams. Dreams about a dark figure who committed horrendous acts with this device, using a blue energy blade that came from within it. What's more, the dark figure shared the same name as Luke's father, Anakin. This couldn't be just a mere coincidence. Not after everything else Luke had learned about his father and the dark figure. Somehow this object was the missing key that would unlock the last of his father's secrets. Luke had to know. "What is it?" he asked as Kenobi placed the cylinder in his hands.

"Your father's lightsaber."

To be continued…