AN Thanks everyone for the kind words and suggestions. Here is the next chapter, enjoy!
General Grievous paced on his personal shuttle, he was almost where Sidious sent him, a small planet, and it did not even have a name, just an astronavigation number. He wondered what he would find there, but there was the not so small matter of ending Skywalker and Kenobi. If they had not interfered, Grievous would have had Palpatine and the Republic would have surrendered. Alas, maybe this was better in light of what Lord Sidious had told him, but that did not mean that Grievous did not want revenge.
"General, we will be dropping out of hyperspace soon," a Magna guard said.
"Good," Grievous said. A short while later Grievous was very impressed, Sidious had been better than his word, not only was there more of what the Separatists had been using, but there were new designs. New infantry droids, new armor droids, new star fighter droids, and most of all new Capital ships. Dooku was a traitor for keeping this from the frontlines. No longer, Grievous approached the keypad and entered the activation code, a new command class droid approached him, and it was six feet tall and all black with a red unieye across its face.
"What are your orders, General?" the command droid said.
"What are your capabilities?" Grievous asked.
"I am fully programmed with all tactical knowledge on Republic capabilities. As of my last update two standard days ago this detachment can overwhelm Republic forces in the Outer Rim in two weeks," the command droid said.
"Excellent. Your orders are to drive all non Confederate forces out of the outer rim, also I wish you to find and bring me Jedi Kenobi and Skywalker," Grievous said.
"Of course, General," the command droid said.
With Padmé missing too Obi-Wan's first destination was Naboo. He landed in Theed and proceeded to the Palace to see the queen.
Once arriving it was not long before he was admitted to see the Queen.
"Your Majesty," Obi-Wan said, bowing.
"Master Kenobi, it is an honor to have a Jedi with us. Tell me, what can we do to serve the Republic?" the Queen asked.
"Senator Amidala has gone missing, and I was wondering if she had returned home?" Obi-Wan said.
"If she is on Naboo, Master Kenobi, I have no knowledge of it. I hope she is safe," the Queen said.
"As do I, your Majesty. I will of course keep you informed on my investigation of this matter," Obi-Wan said. Just as Obi Wan turned to leave the audience chamber, the ground shook. A feeling all too familiar came over Obi-Wan.
"What was that?" the Queen asked.
"If I'm right, Naboo is being invaded," Obi-Wan said, recognizing the distinctive thud of orbital bombardment.
"Master Kenobi, will you assist in command of our Clone Forces?" the Queen asked.
"I will, your Majesty," Obi-Wan said.
Elsewhere on Naboo, a clone commander surveyed the battle. It was not going well. The units Jedi Commander Yun-ti had been killed by the initial bombardment. Worse, the CIS had a new model of infantry droid in this battle. NST-4431, Nest for short, figured that it would not be long before they were overrun. This was NOT efficient. Then coming from Theed he saw a land cruiser approaching then it was surrounded by the new infantry droids, and then he saw a figure leap out much higher than any clone could and a blue blade ignite. Maybe I am not going to die today, Nest thought and got about the business of extracting the newly arrived Jedi.
Anakin stepped off the Rim Runner when they arrived on Tattoine. Padmé was only weeks away from delivery. Anakin had Orlin land just outside the Lars homestead. Owen was there before the boarding ramp was lowered, looking curious.
"Who are you?" Owen asked, as Anakin's feet appeared and he came down.
"Hello, Owen. I have to apologize for the lack of notice of our visit, but we wanted for our baby to be born among family," Anakin said, holding Padmé's hand.
"Baby?!" Owen shouted.
"What is this about a baby, Owen, and who's our visitors," Beru said coming out of the house.
"Hello, Beru. It's been too long, I hope it won't be to much of a bother to see us to Anchorhead for a room." Padmé said.
"Oh, my...That's why I heard someone say something about a baby," Beru said.
Orlin stuck his head out and said, "Well, you four catch up I'm headed over to Mos Eisley. You have my comm. for when you are ready to leave,"
"Thank you Orlin, you've been a great help," Anakin said.
"No, thank you Anakin, this old gal hasn't run so well in ages," Orlin said.
Once Orlin left the four went inside to get out of the suns, Beru got them some refreshment and then they sat down.
"Ok, Anakin, why are you here?" Owen asked.
"I told you the truth, Owen," Anakin said.
"I don't believe it, she's a Senator, you're a Jedi, you can have the best medical care in the Galaxy. Besides, I thought Jedi weren't allowed to marry," Owen said.
Anakin sighed, then said, "That's true, Owen, but Padmé and I loved each other so much we just had to get married, and now that marriage has produced a baby," Anakin said.
"Ok, I know how that works, but it still doesn't explain why you are here," Owen said.
"Very well, but I'm not sure how to explain this to a non Jedi, though I've had to make at least one attempt," Anakin said. "Basically I'm here for my last trial, the trial of Courage. Padmé's pregnancy is central to that trial," Anakin explained.
"Anakin, I don't know what you think about me, but we DO get news out here, I know what they call you, Hero with No Fear, and now that same Hero with No Fear is telling me he hasn't passed a Jedi trial of COURAGE? What more to they want from you? What did your Master have to do?" Owen asked his voice rising with each word, clearly, he was frustrated by the sudden leap into nonsense his world had been taken.
"Owen Lars, calm down, he is still family and what is it you've always said?" Beru said.
"'There's always room for family.' I know, thank you for reminding me, it's just that now isn't a good time for this. You know I've got two vaporators down and since Dad died not enough help to fix them," Owen said.
"That's fine Owen, we don't want to impose," Padmé said.
"Of course not, we can stay in an inn or something," Anakin said.
"You will do no such thing," Beru said, "Like Owen always says there is always room for family, especially when you are about to add to it."
"I'm sorry, my wife, as usual is right. You are welcome to stay," Owen said.
"Thank you, Owen. I can take a look at those vaporators for you, its not much, but it's a start on making this up to you," Anakin said.
"Now, do not start with thinking this is a debt to pay off, Anakin, families do not have debts," Owen said.