Chapter 78
"Concentrate, yes," Yoda instructed. "Meditate you must before selecting the crystal that will be the heart of your saber."
Luke and Leia exchanged a look, and then focused their attention on the small stones that Yoda and Obi-Wan had placed on the table before them. Meditation was not easy for either of them; too much like their father, Obi-Wan was quick to point out. Yet, both were determined to do their best, realizing that their masters' expectations were high. They were, after all, the children of the Chosen One; the future of the Jedi Order. Both Luke and Leia realized how important their place in the history of the galaxy was, and were determined not to disappoint their masters or their parents.
Obi-Wan was delighted that Luke had expressed a desire to build a lightsaber of his own. Not only was the exercise an important part of Luke's journey, but it would mean that the saber that had been his father's during the darkest time of his life would be retired. Obi-Wan had debated for many years whether he ought to destroy Anakin's lightsaber, for it represented for him the darkest day of his life, the day he lost his brother. The image of Anakin screaming in agony as the fires of Mustafar consumed him had never left Obi-Wan's memory, or the images of Anakin slaughtering younglings in the Jedi Temple. That saber had taken many lives, spilled much innocent blood. Obi-Wan sensed that Anakin too harbored ill feelings toward the weapon; for him it represented his descent into Darkness and was a constant reminder of all the innocent lives he had taken.
"Our father told me that the color we chose has significance," Luke said after a few moments. "What exactly does that mean?"
"Simply put, blue suits a Jedi who focuses on combat," Obi-Wan explained, "such as your father, while green lightsaber is for a Jedi who focuses on the force. Master Yoda's lightsaber was green, as was Master Qui-Gon's," he went on.
"Red signifies the Dark Side then, I imagine," Leia said.
Yoda nodded. "Yes Leia," he concurred. "The symbol of evil it is, adopted by the Sith many years ago."
"Red represents violence, blood and death," Obi-Wan added. "No Jedi would ever carry a red saber."
Luke and Leia nodded. They had both decided upon a color, one that their mediations had leaded them to. They were pleased to learn that they had chosen well.
"Chosen you have?" Yoda asked.
"Yes," Leia said, looking at her brother. "I think I know what you are going to chose," she told her twin with a smile.
Luke grinned. "Yeah, well I'd bet a thousand credits on the color you'll pick."
Obi-Wan and Yoda looked at one another with amusement at the competitiveness of the Skywalker twins. They are their father's children, Obi-Wan reflected, remembering how Anakin had been at their age.
"I think I too know what color the two of you have chosen," Obi-Wan told them with a smile. "May i?"
"Of course," Leia said with a smile.
Obi-Wan looked at her, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Leia is very much like her father," he said. "And so I would say blue."
Leia nodded. "You're right," she replied.
"And Luke," he continued, turning to the young man next. "You are far more cerebral than either your sister or your father," he said. "So I would say green."
Luke smiled. "You're good, Ben," he said. "That's exactly right."
"Now that we have chosen our crystal, can we get started?" Leia asked eagerly.
"Patience, young one," Obi-Wan replied, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I believe we are about to rendezvous with the Alliance. Why don't we begin when we can dedicate more time to the task?"
"Yes, a good idea this is," Yoda concurred. "A serious job this is. Much concentration it requires."
"I agree," Obi-Wan said.
Luke, Leia do you copy?
Leia activated her comlink. "We're here, Dad."
Are you with Obi-Wan and Yoda?
"Yes we are."
I need all four of you to meet me in the main conference room. Mon Mothma's shuttle is about to arrive.
"We'll be right there," Leia said. She looked up at the others. "Shall we, gentlemen?"
"After you, Princess," Obi-Wan replied.
Lieutenant Keller stood in one of the Executor's enormous hangar bays as the Lambda class shuttle slowly made its way inside. There was nothing unusual about the landing, for Imperial shuttles were commonly used for short distance travel. What was unusual about this arrival, however, was the occupants of this particular shuttle. It was not often that members of the Rebel Alliance boarded an Imperial Star Destroyer as guests. Prisoners yes, but guests- never.
Keller stood at attention as the shuttle docked. He had been in almost constant contact with the Alliance, keeping them abreast of the Executor's movements. He enjoyed this new responsibility, and looked forward to meeting with the rebel leaders in person once again.
"Welcome to the Executor," Keller said with a smile as Mon Mothma and Bail Organa descended the ramp.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Mon Mothma replied, looking around in awe at the enormity of her surroundings.
"Quite an impressive vessel," Bail remarked.
"It is," Keller replied. "I would be happy to give you a tour once your meeting with Lord Vader has concluded."
Mon Mothma's eyes widened in surprise. "Vader??" she echoed. "Did you say Lord Vader?"
"Relax, Commander," Keller assured her. "We are using his Sith name only as a security precaution. I assure you, he is not Darth Vader."
"That's a relief," Organa muttered.
"Now, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to the conference room," Keller said.
"By all means, Lieutenant," Mon Mothma replied.
Padmé entered the conference room to join her husband. Anakin watched her as she approached the large table, sensing that she was upset about something. They had contacted Doctor Deece on Polis Massa days earlier and had been waiting for a reply from her. That morning their reply had come.
"What's wrong?" Anakin asked his wife as she sat down beside him.
Padmé looked up at him, and he could tell that she had been crying.
He frowned and reached over to put his hand on her. "Angel, what is it?"
"A message came through just after you left earlier," she told him. "A message from Polis Massa."
A sinking feeling started growing within Anakin's heart. "What did Dr. Deece say?" he asked.
Padmé's eyes filled with tears, despite her best efforts to keep them in control. "She said that …that the drug I'd been forced to take all those years results in permanent infertility in ninety-eight percent of cases," she told him. She brushed a tear from her face. "So that means we won't have any more children," she finished softly.
Anakin squeezed her hand, his heart aching from the pain he felt emanating with her. "It's not impossible, Angel," he told her gently. "Ninety-eight percent still leaves two percent left," he reminded her.
"Ani, I'm forty-seven years old," she replied. "Even without the drugs destroying my body for twenty years, conceiving a child would be challenging. The two factors combined …." She stopped again, too overcome by her grief to continue.
Anakin get up off of his chair and went to her. He crouched beside her chair and put an arm around her. "Padmé, if there's anything my life's journey has taught me, it's that anything is possible, even when it seems impossible. We can make this happen, Padmé, I know we can. It just means we'll have to make a more concerted effort, that's all," he said with a smile.
Padmé looked up at him and smiled through her tears. "You think so, do you?"
Anakin nodded. "Absolutely," he said. He kissed her cheek. "I have foreseen it."
"And what exactly have you foreseen?" she asked, brushing her tears away.
"I have foreseen me changing diapers," he told her with a grin.
Padmé laughed. "You've got that right," she told him.
Anakin's smile grew, happy to see that she had risen above her grief. She always was incredibly strong, he reflected. The doors slid open to reveal Luke, Leia, Yoda and Obi-Wan. Anakin stood up.
"Good you're here," he said. "I believe Mon Mothma should be here very soon."
Luke and Leia knew that their parents had been engaged in an intense conversation, but didn't have the time to ask them about it.
They didn't have to wait long before Lieutenant Keller arrived, followed by the two rebel leaders. Leia embraced her adoptive father warmly, and then all of them took a seat around the large table.
"Now, tell us all you know about the blockade on Alderaan," Anakin began.
"Our scouts tell us that the Imperial ships have been in orbit for at least three days," Organa spoke up. "And that is when we lost contact with Alderaan."
Anakin nodded. "Have you made contact with any of the ships?" he asked Organa.
"We've tried," Mon Mothma replied. "But they refuse to acknowledge our hails."
"Probably because they cannot justify their presence there," Leia spoke up. She looked at her father. "Don't you agree?"
"Yes," Anakin replied. "Until the emperor has instructed the commanders of those vessels what to say, they will not return communications."
"It sounds like Palpatine is trying to force a confrontation," Padmé said. "But why?"
"Mistrusts you, he does," Yoda told Anakin. "Testing you he is."
"If that is the case, then we must proceed very carefully," Mon Mothma said. "Because if he even suspects that we have joined forces, he will destroy us."
Organa snorted. "He hasn't been able to destroy the Rebellion for twenty years," he pointed out. "What makes you think he could do so now, especially since it has become stronger?"
"Do not underestimate the power of the Emperor," Yoda cautioned. "Capable of anything, he is. Without conscious, without honor he is."
"I'd have to agree," Anakin said. "He is capable of anything. Our plan must be perfect."
"Then let's get started," Padmé suggested. "We haven't time to spare."