Chapter 48AE

'Tragedy at the TaggeMart - Part II'

'Tell Me What You Want…What You Really, Really Want"

'A Rope-A Dope-and A New Hope'

'Let Me See You with My Own Eyes'

'Eye charts and Floating Space Stations: ROTH '

'Anakin, There Has Been a Tremor in the Force'

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...ANH (A New Hassle…at the office)

Title card/crawl: It is a period of UNcivil war. Old Sith vs. Old Republic compete in the TaggeMart big box store for dominance. The veterans of the Old Empire have won their first victory against the Old Men of the Rebellion. During the confrontation, the battling geriatric Rebels manage to outsmart the old Siths over the special assignment list. A Siths ego is tested and fails, inviting tragedy and discord. Anakin Skywalker will soon sense a tremor in the Force that will bring family and strangers together to restore peace and balance to the galaxy...

Across town at Headquarters, the Dark Lord steps out of the elevator to the Executive Suite. He sees Admiral Motti at the opposite end of the corridor. The Admiral quickly makes his way for Grand Moff Tarkin's office. The automatic door shuts before Anakin can see what is going on inside. He knows that sneaky shenanigans are going on as usual. He shakes his head in disbelief. This is where the morning fun begins…or not. He could have called them out on their scheming ways and Force choke Admiral Motti, but he has not the stomach for it. Anakin watches as the growing entourage of top brass disappears behind closed doors of Tarkin's office. He would shout some taunting remarks at the traitors, but he has other things on his mind. He is still reeling from his sobering discussion with Obi-Wan. He will deal with Tarkin's henchmen later. He will allow them enough rope to eventually hang themselves.

He lets out a heavy sigh then walks into his office. Miss DiPesto looks up from her desk. She greets him with her cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Skywalker."

"Good morning, Miss DiPesto."

"Here's the proposal you need for today's meeting."

"Thank you."

He grabs the documents and continues towards his office. A few minutes pass when a loud scream comes from behind the door.

"Miss DiPesto!"

Agnes hurries to the door and pokes her head inside his office.

"Yes, Mr. Skywalker?"

"What happened to the rider to the proposal?"

"It's with the rest of the document, sir."

Anakin flips through the pages like a madman.

"I don't see it."

"I gave it to you, sir. I'm certain of it."

"You couldn't have. I would have seen it."

"It's on page 7 at the end of the second presentation folder."

He waves the papers as he challenges his dutiful assistant.

"Where? Where?"

"One moment, sir. I'll come in and show it to you."

Agnes nervously approaches his desk. Anakin gives her a menacing look.

"Just tell me where it's supposed to be and I'll find it. It's not in here, I guarantee you."

After a few moments, Anakin reluctantly hands her the folder confident that he has looked through the folder. Agnes gingerly takes the document from him. He sits in his chair waiting for her to apologize for her error. She stops and then turns another page before handing the folder back to him. He looks at it as she points to the page.

"It's right here, sir."

Anakin leans in close and squints. He knows he had looked through the booklet. He lip-reads the section in question then takes the folder.

"Oh. My apologies. Thank you, Miss DiPesto."

"You're welcome, sir."

He cannot let this go without emerging victorious. Just as she is about to return to her desk, Anakin speaks.

"Why are you typing this so small?"

"It's standard font, sir."

Anakin is still irritated by the events over dinner the night before. He is in no mood to display his kinder, gentler side. Instead, he smirks and makes a sarcastic remark.

"What? Microscopic Basic Corsiva?"

"No. Corsiva point 10, sir. It's the font you prefer."

The Dark Lord holds the folder closer and stares at the section of the document in question.

"Oh."

"Anything else, sir?"

"Uhm…no…what's on my calendar today?"

"You're meeting your daughter for lunch and then you have your board meeting when you return."

"Okay…Thank you."

Anakin spends the morning combing over the proposal. He stops periodically to rub his temples and forehead. He might just kill someone today. His potential victims are all congregated down the hall in Tarkin's office. He has had enough. He would take care of matter now but it is time to leave for his appointment with his youngest daughter. Lieutenant Daine Jir is outside headquarters standing beside the driver side door of Anakin's speeder. He salutes as Anakin approaches the vehicle.

"Your speeder is ready, sir. I buffed it up for you. It's nice and shiny now."

A few soldiers overhearing the officer stop and whisper jokingly to one another.

"Daine Jir's in danger again!"

Anakin stops before stepping into the vehicle.

"You touched my speeder, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, my Lord…there were a few scuffs on the rear fender and the windows needed cleaning. I figured you wouldn't want to be out on the expressway with a speeder in substandard shape."

"No, I would not."

"Can I get you anything, sir?"

"No, Lieutenant. You may go."

"I could drive you, my Lord."

Anakin slips on his sunglasses and gets inside his speeder.

"Leave the driving to me. That will be all."

Daine Jir salutes and takes a step back as Anakin drives away.

The traffic is light before the Exit 68 on Pleasant Spirit Drive. Anakin decides to speed up. Suddenly there are flashing red lights. A Coruscant Highway patrol officer signals for him to pull over. Anakin glares into to rearview mirror and slows to a stop. He pulls off to the shoulder on the expressway. Things are not going as smoothly as he thought.

Anakin pokes his head out of the window.

"Is there a problem, Officer?"

"Well…yeah, if you ignore a 'No Turn' sign back there." The officer points with his thumb. You were going 10 kilometers over the speed limit.

"That's impossible!"

"Search your memory, sir. Looks like you violated a traffic sign. Can't see how you missed it. Big as a space station. May I see your license and registration, please?" The officer takes out a stylus and begins writing on his data pad.

"What? Do you know who I am?"

"Are you trying to pull rank on me? Every motorist is the same in my book, sir." He rolls his eyes and continues writing.

"Are you giving me a ticket?"

Anakin is about to wave his hand and erase the officer's memory but he is reminded by what his wife told him many times: 'Keep calm, cooperate, and be contrite…and no choking' He reaches into the glove compartment for his license and registration data cards. A pair of black leather gloves falls onto the passenger seat. The officer chuckles.

"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. Well, I see some people actually use that compartment what it's designed for."

Anakin is not at all humored by the joke. He hands the documents to the officer. Anakin squints to read the officer's badge as the office scans the documents. The light from the hand scanner flashes green. The officer returns the documents to the Dark Lord along with the ticket.

"Okay, you're good to go, Mr. Skywalker. Drive safely now."

"Aye-Aye, Sir."

Anakin salutes and tosses the registration data card, license and ticket in the glove compartment. Officer J. Baker. Anakin will have to remember that name.

He was making good time but now he is almost 15 minutes late after the chitchat with the highway patrol officer. Ana-Lena is on her phone as she stands in the courtyard driveway at her school. She looks for her ride and then rolls her eyes as she speaks into the phone.

"Never mind, he's driving up now. I can only imagine the excuse he has for being late."

She walks down the steps to the driveway. Anakin opens the door.

"Sorry I'm late…I got stopped by the man."

"What man?"

"CHIPs."

"OOOh…really? You just didn't want to meet me to discuss my quinceañera."

"No, honest! Big burly guy with sunglasses and helmet stopped me. He said I missed a 'No Turn' sign at the exit."

"Dark glasses….helmet? Where did I hear that story? Anyway, how could you miss that sign? I've seen it millions of times! It's as big as plasma cannon. Are you blind?"

"Okay, there's no need to insult me. Where do you want to go for lunch? And don't choose one of those dopey places where your little friends hang out to meet boys."

He senses someone approaching his side of the vehicle.

"Hi, Mr. Skywalker!" He sees Soni appear on his driver side window. He does not expect to have her pop up so suddenly. He is genuinely startled. Soni waves at him. Her hand is almost touching his face. Her nails are painted Felucian blue and dotted with kyber crystal dust. Apparently the Nuns have not seen this breech in the convent school dress code. Anakin moves his face away from the window.

"What the…oh, hello, Soni."

"Wow, you are such a cool dad to drive all the way out here to help Ana-Li plan for her big event. Can't wait to hear all about the plans for Ana-Li's quinceañera. Mine is a week before so I gave her some tips."

"Well, look at you…being all helpful."

"That's me!" She giggles like a typical teenager.

"I'm sure Ana-Lena will give me an earful during our lunch."

"Oh, yeah! She very focused about what she wants."

"Well, we have to get going. I need to get back to the office immediately after."

"Okay. See you! "Huh? Good luck, Ana-Li!"

"Thanks, Soni. See you later."

She gets into the speeder and fastens her seatbelt. Anakin starts the speeder.

"Let's get a move-on, Missy. So, where do you want to go?"

"You just eliminated anyplace I was going to mention."

"You're determined to let me suffer."

"Then let's go to one of your 'fun' places…like the old-timey cantina."

"Hey, I have fond memories of that place. We can go someplace else. How about that little place you dragged me too last time?"

"You liked it. You took Uncle Ben a few times."

"He liked the drinks more than the food. Which way should we go?" He squints as he steers the speeder onto the path towards the main road.

"Want me to drive, Helen?"

"Who's Helen?"

Ana-Lena smiles at her private joke.

They arrive at a restaurant a few minutes from the school. The walkway leading to the entrance is paved with black volcanic pebbles. The black lacquered framed door is decorated with silk fabric beautiful calligraphy. It is a small place. A few diners are enjoying a meal on the opposite side of the room. The waiter at the small dinning establishment smiles and greets them.

"Irasshaimase". He leads them to a roped off dining area and offer them each a menu. Ana-Lena rolls her eyes and checks the specials. She looks around at the drab décor. It is a stark contrast to the exterior of the small structure.

"When was the last time this place had a makeover? It's really smaller than I last remember. I thought it was bigger."

"Hey! Keep it up, and this is where you'll have your little shindig."

"I actually believe you. It's so dark in here."

"I like it…fits my mood today. What would you like to order?"

"I'll try the Tofu to hourensou no salada."

"Still staying away from food with eyes?"

"Laugh it up, Dad. Mum said your blood pressure is a little high. Watch what you order."

"It's always, been high. I have a lot of stress."

Waiter smiles and offers his suggestions.

"Will you be ordering the Tofu to hourensou no salada?"

"What do you think?" Anakin studies the menu. He looks at the friendly waiter.

"I'll have the Gyuniku to syoga no tukudani fu…extra shaak."

Ana-Lena looks across the table at her father.

"Don't you order that for takeout all the time?"

"I like it and it never disappoints…unlike some offspring of mine."

"Try something else on the menu."

"No!" He hands the waiter his menu. Ana-Lena looks woefully at her father.

"Dad, you're in a rut."

"I am not in a rut. So, what do you want for this party?"

"You don't want to discuss my party,"

"I drove all the way out here to discuss your party."

"You really want to talk about it?"

"Of course I do! You're my only daughter still at home. It will be the beginning of the end all over again. Leia's out of the house and married to that scruffy, moron pirate. I've got two grandchildren with dopey names. I'm praying that you'll make better choices than your sister. You're my only hope."

"Oh, Daddy, admit it, you like Han."

"He's alright…from a distance."

Another waitress arrives at their table and pours tea. She greets them with a soft smile then quietly walks away. Anakin lifts the porcelain cup to drink. He is in a better mood right now. It is some of the best tea he has ever drunk. Ana-Lena smiles.

"So, Daddy, what's troubling you?"

"Nothing. I'm here to listen to you ask for stuff."

"Now, Daddy, I'm insulted that you think I'm that shallow."

"Hmmm…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's just interesting that you quantify it."

"I'm 14 and a half…what do you expect?"

"You kids take me for granted."

"Oh boy! Here we go…what have we done this time?"

"I want to be appreciated."

"We do appreciate you. Oh, God! Are we going to get into this again? Daddy, you, Mum, and the rest of the family are the most important people in my life. I'm not all about a fancy gown and a big party. I'm grateful for having the best parents a girl could have."

"That's so refreshing to hear you say that, Sweet Pea Junior. It proves that we brought you up right."

"Yeah…but a party is always nice…after all, how often does a girl get to celebrate her quinceañera?"

"Once, I suppose… if her father is lucky."

"You're going to wear a nice suit and dance with me, right?"

"Don't worry, I promise not to embarrass you."

"No weirdness."

"I'll do my best."

"Don't improvise wacky dance steps. None of that Mon Calamari dance crap."

"Hey, that was classic stuff back in the day."

"And that's where it needs to stay…far back. I want my day to be something people will talk about well after it's over…and not in a bad way."

"I promise not to do any Gungan Style or breakdancing."

"Just checking. The father and daughter dance is a very important part of the celebration...it has to be dignified."

"Yes, ma'am! Did you have this conversation with your mother?"

"Why would I do that?"

The waiter returns with their lunch order. The food is so good that all discussion about what everyone wants and needs is forgotten. Ana-Lena is happy to have her father join her for lunch on a school day. As they enjoy their mean, Ana-Lena stops eating and looks up. Anakin stops eating and studies his daughter's face.

"What's wrong? Food not good?"

"No, it's fine. I just felt a tremor in the Force. Didn't you feel it?"

"Nope!" Anakin continues eating.

"It's as if a billion voices, silenced for so long began cheering. Something great has happened."

"Well, it is the Galactic lightball playoff season. Heh-heh!"

"See, Daddy, you don't take me seriously."

"Sure I do."

Anakin ignores his mobile phone which has been vibrating since they arrived at the restaurant. If it is a call about bad news, he does not want to hear about it. He encourages Ana-Lena to tell him what she really wants for her quinceañera. She surprisingly makes few demands after clearing up the dancing issue. He realizes that all his daughter wants is a bit of quality time with her powerful father.

He drops her off at her school. The Reverend Mother waves to him at the entrance as Ana-Lena returns. She escorts the DOTS (Daughter of the Sith) inside the safety of the convent school. Satisfies that he has left his young daughter in good hands, He drives away,

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Anakin makes a stop in Coruscant City before he returns to headquarters. It is a good thing that he has had a good meal, otherwise he would have lost his appetite for what he is about to discover. He receives stares from the guards at the entrance to the building. There is something different about him.

Miss DiPesto has been calling him. He sees twenty messages on his phone as he walks into the office. She looks frantic.

"Mr. Skywalker, I tried to contact you…"

"No kidding! My phone is about to melt from the gazillion messages. It's as hot as a Mustafar rock! What's going on that you couldn't wait for me to return?"

"Your wife has been trying to contact you. There's been an accident."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I've been trying to, sir, but you never answered your phone."

Anakin utters a heavy sigh. His afternoon is ruined. He was planning to surprise Tarkin that incompetent gang across the other side of the executive suite to torment them. He hurries into his office and immediately phones home. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to the children or even Han. Who would he torture at Sunday dinner? Could it be his loyal and beloved K-9 companion? He would be devastated if Skippy was hurt. He trusted his young dog walker Arnold. What if Isabel does not want to tell him over the phone? Not knowing is driving him crazy. Isabel's voice is soft as she answers. Anakin senses something big has happened.

"Isabel, are you alright? What's going on?"

"It's terrible, Anakin. You had better come home."

"What happened?"

"I think you should be here before I tell you."

He is becoming annoyed that it will take a drive home before he knows anything. For some reason he cannot read Isabel.

Anakin quietly gets up from his desk and grabs his coat. He leaves his office and stops by Miss DiPesto's desk.

"Uhm…Take the rest of the day off, Miss DiPesto."

"Are you sure, Mr. Skywalker?"

"Yes. Set the office suite alarm to stun. I don't want Tarkin and his merry band of idiots trying to get in here."

"I understand, sir."

"Good afternoon, Miss DiPesto."

"Good afternoon, sir. You look very distinguished by the way."

"Oh…uhm…thank you."

Anakin leaves the office. He continues to get stares from the passing officers and guards. Lieutenant Daine Jir catches up with the Dark Lord.

"Sir, I almost didn't recognize you. You've changed"

"It is not a dramatic change, Lieutenant. This is not a disguise."

"Yes, Sir. Shall I escort you to your car?"

"Do I look blind to you, Lieutenant?"

"Uhm…no, Sir."

"Stand back, Lieutenant. That will be all."

"Yes, my Lord."

The same group of officers who were there earlier in the morning, stand outside on the plaza. They are laughing at the over-eager Lieutenant. Anakin knows that Daine Jir can be an annoying suck up, but if anyone is going to torment the Lieutenant, it will be the Dark Lord himself. Just as he opens the door to his speeder, he lifts his left hand. The officers taunting Lieutenant Daine Jir are flailing on their backs. A couple of stormtroopers walk over and poke at the officers with their blasters. The troopers shrug.

"Nothing to worry about here. These officers are always goofing around. Hey, Get up and return to your posts."

Anakin quietly drives away.

A great tragedy has occurred and Anakin has made several detours on his way home. He cannot get over how shaken Isabel sounded during their phone conversation earlier. In spite of this, he feels no urgency to get home. Could it be denial that the most horrible thing has happened or is it just indifference. Either way, he is driving slower than usual. There is no Coruscant Highway Patrol chasing him down this afternoon. A sense of dread comes over him. He cannot bear to hear awful news about his dear, sweet dog. The signs on the expressway appear clearer than they did on his way out of the city when he left for work. It's about time they redid those signs he thought.

As soon as Anakin pulls into the driveway at 620 Faleen Hyper Drive he can feel something is afoot. He parks the speeder in the docking bay. He notices other vehicles parked there, notably, Luke's speeder. Anakin has a bad feeling about this.

He walks inside the house. Luke and Mara are both there, as well as Li-An, Alex, and Obi-Wan. He does not see Arnold. Has something happened to his young dog walker as well? Strangely, everyone appears to be in an upbeat mood. Obi-Wan smiles and raises a glass filled with Whyren's Reserve. He gently pats Anakin on the shoulder.

"This day will live on in infamy, my good friend."

Mara walks out from the kitchen. She is holding a bowl of pasta. She manages to stop eating long enough to look at her father-in-law.

"Hey! Look at you!"

"I see tragedy doesn't ruin your appetite."

"Listen, I'm not exactly broken up about it."

"You're a heartless woman. What happened to my dog?"

Mara snaps back.

"Is that what you're worried about? Someone bring that furry mutt in here! He's been begging for handouts since we arrived."

Alex appears holding Skippy in his arms. Anakin is about to faint. Alex stares at his father.

"Wow, Dad! You finally did it! It's a good look. Here's your pooch."

Anakin reaches out to accept his little K-9 companion. Suddenly the dog wags its tail and licks its master's face.

"Skippy! You're alive! Let me look at you! Thank God! Who misses you the most?" He looks at everyone in the room. "What's going on? You told me there was a tragedy and Skippy was…"

"No we didn't. You thought…oh my God! Luke, Mum hasn't told him."

"Told me what?"

Luke walks over to his father.

"Mum wanted to tell you in person because she was afraid of how you would react."

"Well, she was so upset over the phone."

Luke pats his father on the shoulder.

"She tried to tell you but you weren't listening to her."

Isabel appears in the living room. She embraces her husband.

"I am so glad you're home. Reporters were at the door all afternoon. Luke finally got them to leave."

Mara is chewing her pasta.

"Look, it's on the news!"

The screen crawl flashes across the 48-inch plasma.

The seasoned news anchor Rule Davenbay looks into the camera. His white hair is perfectly coiffed. There is a solemn expression on his face:

'It was a calamity of galactic proportions. Good afternoon, I'm Rule Davenbay with the breaking news of the hour. There was a tragedy at the TaggeMart earlier today when an entire skid of the popular kid's toy 'Ultra-Speed Hover board' spilled onto the stockroom floor. Over $450,000 credits worth of merchandise was lost in a pneumatic tube malfunction. This is a horrible blow to the upcoming Befana Eva shopping season…and in a related story; former Emperor, Dantius Palpatine, plunged headfirst into the pneumatic tube that transports important merchandise. No update as to when the transport tube will be cleared for use. It's a great week in the Galactic lightball playoffs. Troid Beede coming up next with the latest in sports."

Kris returns home from school. He has stuffed his Jedi robe in his rucksack. One of the sleeves hangs out of the opening. He looks around the room.

"Okay, who died?"

"Old man Palps."

"Ooooh…No wonder people were cheering in the Jedi Square. Are there going to be fireworks later? Awesome!"

Luke is distracted. He smiles at his father."

"Look at you, you hipster! You finally listened to your doctor!"

"Want to check them out?"

"No, you'll need them to see."

"Just for once... let me... look on you with my *own* eyes."

"Why? I look the same."

Kris tosses his rucksack on the floor in the foyer. He stares at his father.

"Whoa! Dad, are those real?" He starts to poke his fingers through the frames. Anakin blinks and then points to the rucksack.

"Go pick that up!" Anakin takes out a special cloth and cleans the fingerprints off the lenses.

Han walks in with Leia a few moments later.

"Hey! I heard the great news…Oh, look at you! Check out the professor, everyone! Hey, four eyes!"