One and a half years later...
"Stop that boy!"
"Grab 'im!"
"Get back here, you little aklay!"
Seventeen and a half year old Anakin Skywalker grinned as he raced along the lower levels of Coruscant's underground. Tonight's crime was made up of outdealing an underground gambling master. As soon as Anakin had swiped all the money, he had signalled for the Coruscant police force, who had quickly decimated one of the greatest crime organizations they had found in years. Naturally of course, the gambling master was most displeased, and had sent his goons to chase down the boy as soon as he found out what happened.
"I'll remember you, Laurence Stalin," a thug shouted and shook his fist as his quarry disapeared. "I won't forget your name!"
Anakin grinned. A year and a half wasn't a very long time, yet he had already managed to create a reputation for being a slippery nuisance and detective as well as an unbeatable opponent in Coruscant's lower levels. Criminals spoke of him in whispers, their stories causing the name 'Laurence Stalin' to create a shiver of trepidation in the spine of every thug in the black market.
Laurence Stalin, the name Anakin had picked to hide his identity, was never a very fearsome title, but it worked well enough for his purposes. Besides, the criminals had come up with other nicknames for him ever since he began moving up the totem pole of power over half a year ago.
When he first left the temple, Anakin had nearly been killed several times. Only his Jedi skills allowed him to remain alive for the first few weeks, but after he tired of depending on the force for survival, Anakin was able to barter a force inhibitor off the black market. The device served two purposes; it cut off any possible way for the Jedi to track him, and it allowed him to heighten his own skill without needing to rely on his the force.
He hated depending on the force. What was once considered a means of life to Skywalker was now a loathed fiend that was rarely around when he needed it most. Anakin preferred his own abilities, which he could trust. Despite all this however he still had the clip to his force binder unlocked, just in case he needed it one day.
Without the force, Anakin's fighting methods had changed greatly. His once clumsy attempts at hand to hand combat were now advanced to the degree that he could take on many thugs at once, even when a hutt or a doug joined the party. Having left his lightsaber behind, Anakin's choice weapon was a long durusteel pole that he carried everywhere. Blasters were an excellent backup, but the temple had at least drilled into him a reverence for life, and Anakin loathed to kill unless it truly couldn't be avoided.
Without the force he had learned to train his body to move swiftly on its own. 'Lightning Laurence' the females liked to call him whenever they spoke of his great speed. The hutts and thugs were more furious with his skills though, giving him the name 'Strike' for his ability to crash an organization and make a clean getaway before anyone had a chance to say 'the police are here!'
Anakin's skills were not the only thing that had changed. His hair, dyed black to disguise his identity, now fell in raven waves to his shoulder, effectively hiding the padawan braid he still wore. His body was lean and fit, his corded muscles displaying a hidden strength. Anakin's Jedi robes had been exchanged for a black sleeveless leather shirt, trousers, and knee high boots that altogether held a variety of lock picks, blasters, and other supplies and weapons. A thin scar ran across his forehead, drawing attention to his steely blue eyes. Had Obi-Wan seen his former padawan now, he would not have recognized him.
One and a half years, and so much had changed. The Jedi had not searched for him. He was surprised, and for a while he had been displeased. After a time he realized it hardly mattered. He hadn't wanted them to bring him back, after all. Why should he want them to search for him?
Remembering his days back at the temple, he considered how foolish his urge to be the best really was. Had he really thought it so important to be greater than everybody? Had he once considered the rivalship with Ferus to be such an important matter? Anakin shook his head. So much had changed in him. He would have left the temple earlier if he had known what bondage he had been placing himself under.
And then there was his mother. Shmi had always been on his mind as he worked to be a Jedi, his dreams filled with thoughts of freeing her. And now he finally had. It had taken several podraces on Malastar and careful saving, but Anakin had finally earned enough. How proud she had been, and how thrilled they both were as the slave chip was finally deactivated.
Anakin remembered the day when she told him of Cliegg Lars' request for her to marry him. At first he had been loathe for her to marry anyone, but when Anakin learned of the years of savings Cliegg had put aside to free Shmi, he understood how much the man loved her. A simple Boonta Eve race and the rest of Anakin's savings provided the money for Cliegg and his own son to closer to the city, where they would be more sheltered from sand storms and Tuskan raiders. Knowing his mother would live in safety had put aside a great deal of internal anger that Anakin had never realized he possessed.
Anakin smiled and shook his head. Years at the temple had never brought him any closer to his dreams of helping his mom. Now as an exiled Jedi he was suddenly accomplishing all he had ever hoped for in life.
"STRIKE!"
Anakin looked up, startled from his reverie as a poisoned dart buried itself into the durusteel next to his face. Time to start moving again.
Dodging black market sellers and not-so-innocent bystanders, Anakin made his way towards the old shipyard directly below the Coruscant senate building. There was a series of corridors there that he could manuever through in his sleep, or so he flattered himself.
Just as he thought he could get there without any trouble however, Anakin skidded to a stop as a troup of thugs blocked the allyway. Turning around, he met with a similar group.
"Can I help you, fellows?" he asked lightly as he examined their weapons.
Some typical thugs liked beating a person to death and then cutting their throat, but many preferred the easier way of simply shooting their prey if it tended to act like a Naboo squirrel. Seeing as that was the closest thing Anakin would resemble if he tried climbing the walls above him, he decided to the less dangerous route would be to attack them head on.
"We've got a score to settle with you, Strike," said a besalisk with a leering, toothy grin and spiked gloves on his four arms.
"Oh, really?" Anakin backed up against the wall as he spoke, keeping both groups of thugs in his sight. "Well I'm sorry to disapoint you, but I'm afraid I have another appointment right now. I'd love to talk later though if you like."
The besalisk scowled as it pounded two of his fists into his open palms. "You're on the end of your line, Strike."
Anakin smiled as he bent his knees slightly. "Am I?"
As the first thug charged at him, Anakin leapt, twisted, and landed on the opposite side of the narrow allyway. The thug managed to stop his momentum just in time to avoid hitting the wall, and he shouted in anger as the rest of the group bore down on the former Jedi apprentice.
Diving to the floor, Anakin rolled between the besalisk's legs and threw out a high kick just in time to hit a dug in the stomach, flinging it against the wall. Flipping to his feet, he quickly ducked to prevent his head being crushed as two thugs aimed a punch in his direction. Grabbing hold of their extended wrists, Anakin snapped his legs out in a mid-air split, catching one thug on the forehead and the other at the temple. Both fell to the ground and did not move. Anakin didn't have time to make sure they were unconscious though as the dug returned, landing a nasty blow to Anakin's head. His ears ringing, Anakin dodged the combined attacks of three other thugs as he swung out his durasteel pole, slamming it into the dug's chest and throwing him out of the combat for good. A flick of the wrist crashed the pole into the side of the besalisk's head, and a backward twist reversed it to hit a humanoid thug as he leapt towards Anakin. Only three thugs were left. Anakin ducked another punch and rolled as a spiked boot was aimed at his back. A knife blade flashed in the dim light. Things were getting serious. Having lost their stronger allies when the besalisk and dug were defeated, the thugs were tired of playing games. Avoiding the knife as it slashed towards his face, Anakin felt a flash of panic as he was suddenly grabbed from behind by a barabel. A fist slammed into his back next to his shoulder, causing spots of pain to flash in his vision. There was no more room for mercy, or Anakin would get himself killed. Flinging his head back, Anakin felt it connect with the barabel's face, forcing its head back and snapping its neck. Throwing himself to the floor, Anakin desperately rolled as the other two thugs charged. A quick swipe of his durasteel pole disabled the knife hand of one thug. Anakin grabbed an electric shocker from his belt and latched it onto the thug's vest, twisting away as electricity coursed through the creature's veins, rendering it unconscious. The last thug standing was suprisingly humanoid. A tall, wiry kid a little older than Anakin, he apparently preffered to stand back and let the others take down the quarry first. His skills though made up for his lack of strength as he twirled and kicked out, trying to disable Anakin with swift jabs at specific pressure points. Tired of the annoying twerp as the he continued to evade his durusteel pole, Anakin finally drew a blaster and shot the kid's leg.
"Looks like you're on the end of your line," Anakin echoed the besalisk's past phrase as the kid looked at him in horror, waiting for the death blow that never came. A light tap to the side of his head sent the kid into the oblivion of unconsciousness.
Anakin shook his head as he surveyed the fallen thugs.
"I really need to find a less dangerous hobby," he said ruefully as he twirled his blaster and replaced it in its holster.
What he really wanted right now though, was a nice hot shower and a bacta patch for the large bruise he knew would be spreading across his shoulder. With a sigh Anakin put the durasteel pole in its special sheath across his back and left the alley.
Twilight had fallen on Coruscant as Anakin returned to the city levels and made his way to his apartment; a quaint place with a small kitchen, living room, and bedroom.
Being in a seedier area of Coruscant, questions were never asked as a general rule. The landlord couldn't care less if Anakin were the greatest criminal in the galaxy, so long as he paid his rent on time and offered an occasional bribe for the landlord's silence.
Glad to be in a quiet atmosphere, Anakin made a quick late supper, dealt with his shoulder, and sent a short message to his mother to reassure her he was fine. A shower removed all traces of blood and eased his sore muscles, and by the time he was finished Anakin felt much better. Changing into a pair of dark blue flannel pants, he collapsed on the bed and was asleep before his head even hit the pillow.
...
"My lady, it is not safe for you to be here." Nabano, a royal guard, looked around warily as he watched his queen purchase a breakfast treat for a small, filthy orphan.
Padme Amidala smiled at him as she gave the little girl a quick hug. "Don't be so worried, Nabano. It's plenty safe here, and even if something does happen, you're here to guard me."
"You have an important delegation meeting tommorrow that will not occur if you are murdered wandering the lower streets of Coruscant!" Nabano was rightfully concerned. This was too far from the protection of the Coruscant higher levels, where the queen's safety would be a foremost concern to other beings. Here, in the lower sections where the criminal life began to creep about, the queen's yearning to aid people like the young orphan could very well get her killed.
Padme rolled her eyes but returned to her guard. "Please, Nabano. I have to help them somehow."
"You can help them more as a voice in the senate," Nabano chided her as he led the way back to Coruscant's upper levels.
Padme smiled and shook her head. Nabano was a little too protective in her opinion, but she tried to respect his concern. He didn't understand though how painful it was for her to see all this poverty and yet do nothing but argue pointless cases in the senate.
Nabano continued lecturing her as they walked swiftly back, but Padme's mind was elsewhere as she saw the hungry, terrified eyes of orphans, the hopeless desolation of the adults, and the shifty glances of some of the less civilized beings that resided in the lowest safe level on Coruscant.
Just then a slight movement in an alley caught her eye, and Padme cried out a warning as a figure suddenly leapt out! A long knife flashed, slaying her guard before he could move. Padme's eyes widened in horror as she drew her hidden blaster and aimed it at the man. His knife slashed towards his wrist, and with a cry Padme jerked back and ran, hoping to get far enough away that she could shoot without risking her arm being cut off. Her dress hampered her movements, and she could hear the knife wielder's footsteps behind her.
..
Back in the square, a small girl clutching a breakfast pastry had watched as the knife cut down the queen's guard. Dropping the pastry in her haste, she turned and ran down the alley towards Courasant's lower levels. The lady needed help, and she knew exactly who to go to.
..
Padme tripped over her long dress and fell to the ground in an undignified heap. Rolling over, she shot the blaster point blank at the knife wielder's chest. He laughed as it richocheted off his armor and grabbed the queen's arm. Her last defense gone, Padme began to scream as she scratched and hit at the man's face.
He laughed again as he grabbed her wrists and shook her roughly, pulling her towards the alleyway. Padme screamed louder as she dug in her heels and tried to delay the man as much as she could.
"Move, sweetheart," the man growled as he pulled her down the alleyway. Frustrated at her uncooperation, he raised a hand to strike her.
Padme gasped as a metal pole suddenly was thrust in front of her face, causing her attacker to strike his hand against the durusteel. He shouted in pain and suprise as a gloved hand reached out and grabbed his collar, slamming him into the wall.
Padme stared at her supposed rescuer. Tall and muscled, he smiled grimly at the assasin as he shook his raven hair out of his eyes. He said nothing, his fiery blue gaze speaking volumes.
"Leggo of me," the knife wielder choked as he fought the hands on his neck. "I didn't mean no harm!"
The raven haired man's eyes narrowed. Whirling the man into the alleyway, he swung his pole around so that it crashed into the assasin's arm.
"All right, all right!" the man screamed as he clutched his broken limb. "I'm sorry, I tried to kidnap her! Eesh, I wasn't even going to do anything in the first place!"
The raven haired man rolled his eyes and kicked out at the assasin's head, knocking him out. Pulling a pair of stun cuffs from a pouch at his belt, he secured the asssasin's hands behind his back. The whole time he said nothing.
Padme meanwhile had silently retrieved her own blaster. She didn't know who she should fear more; the attacker or her rescuer.
"Don't move!" she said forcefully as she aimed the blaster at the raven haired man.
He looked up with a puzzled expression on his face. Raising an eyebrow at the Padme's terrified but strong gaze, he shrugged and slung the knife-wielder's unconscious form over his shoulder, then pulled out a credit chip and handed it to a young girl trailing behind him.
Padme recognized her as the orphan she had seen earlier, and she looked between the two with a small amount of hope rising in her.
The orphan smiled. "I sent for Strike!" she exclaimed. "I saved you!"
She giggled and ran out of the alley, clutching her credit chip tightly.
Strike smiled grimly and dipped his head towards the alleyway entrance, indicating they needed to leave.
Preturbed at his silence, Padme warily followed, her blaster still aimed at his back. Strike walked with a casual air as though having his life threatened by a frightened woman was an everyday occurence.
"Milady!" Panaca called out as he caught sight of her coming out of the alley. A troop of police were investigating Nabano's murder, and they quickly ran to her aid.
"Don't move!" Panaca drew a blaster as he caught sight of Strike. "Has he harmed you, Milady?" he asked as his gaze switched from Strike to Padme.
"No, I'm all right," Padme said hurriedly as she went to her guard's side. "Thank you Strike, I will be fine now."
Strike shrugged and flung the unconscious assasin to the ground before starting to walk away.
"Stalin!" One of the police yelled unexpectadly as he caught sight of the raven haired man.
Padme looked over in surprise as her rescuer stopped and grinned, giving a lighthearted salute to the officer.
"You know this man?" Panaca asked in surprise.
The officer grinned and adressed Padme. "Your majesty, allow me to introduce you to Coruscant's greatest ally! Laurence Stalin has managed to break up more criminal organizations than any of our police force have seen in years!"
"He's a police officer?" Panaca asked.
The officer shook his head. "Nope, he's even better. He's a solo worker. I don't know how he does it, but he can do more in one night than we can accomplish in a year. He doesn't have anything to do with the police force really, he just turns in the criminals once he's done tearing the place apart."
Surprised at the young man's importance to the police department, Padme took on her best royal pose and adressed him. "It appears I have a lot to thank you for, Laurence Stalin," she said formally. "Naboo as well as Coruscant is in your debt. If you are ever in need of aid, please feel free to come to us."
Laurence gave a crooked grin at her words, knowing they were mostly formality and would not likely ever come to pass. Then he grew serious as an idea came into his head.
Padme stared in confusion for a moment as he formed a series of hand signals, then she caught on. He was speaking in Coruscant Basic sign language. Watching his flying fingers and feeling grateful to her linguistic teacher who had made her study the language, she finally caught the words he spelled out.
"You need a job?" she asked in surprise.
Laurence grinned, his white teeth flashing. "Coruscant underlevels are fine, but I'm getting tired of playing detective," he spelled out.
Padme looked to Panaca, who shifted uncomfortably. "What can you do?" the guard finally asked.
"I'm good at building and repairing ships," Laurence responded immediately.
Panaca's eyes narrowed. He didn't want to trust this boy who had just appeared out of nowhere, even if he had come in time to save the queen.
Padme looked to the police force for advice.
The officer who had recognized Laurence grinned. "He can build ships, alright. I remember he re-assembled some sort of speeder in less than ten minutes! Fastest speeder I'd ever seen, for the half hour it lasted at least."
"He'd make you a good bodyguard, ma'am," one of the officers muttered.
Padme considered the option and quickly dismissed it for the time being. She agreed that he was probably correct, but her guards were picked carefully, and only when she fully knew she could trust Laurence would she make that kind of a decision.
"Very well then," she said. "We will give you a temporary job on Naboo and see how you do. If you do well we will give you a permanent place there."
Laurence bowed deeply. "You are most gracious, Milady," he spelled out.
Padme grinned tightly. Formal protocol tended to get on her nerves. "Report to Panaca two weeks from now. I'm afraid I will have too many important political affairs to deal with that will prevent me from discussing things further, but you may at least return with us to Naboo."
Laurence bowed again then left without waiting for further instructions.
"Eh, he's always like that," the young officer excused. "Can't get him to stick around for anything."
Padme nodded as she watched the young man leave. She wondered if she had made the right decision. Either way, she was positive of one thing: she had either hired one of the most deadly assasins she would ever see, or she had taken in the a loyal and trustworthy young man that she would always feel could protect her.
...
As Anakin surveyed his apartment that night, he thought about what had just happened that morning. Soon he would be working for the queen - for Padme! He had never dreamed this could happen.
Anakin had almost spoken to her, but something had held him back, as though the Force was screaming a warning. He had reverted to sign language instead, and was relieved that Padme understood.
Anakin smiled as he remembered her dirt smeared face in the alley, and her proud stance depite the tramatic event. She was just as beautiful as he remembered.
What would Obi-Wan think now, Anakin wondered as he remembered his enchantment with the queen's smile. Anakin grinned. Obi-Wan would probably be lecturing him right now on the dangers of attachments.
How strange it was for Anakin to realize that once the temple had been his whole reason for living. Now he could barely remember what it was like to feel a lightsaber in his hand, to experience the force flowing around him as he moved.
Nowadays Anakin didn't remove the force inhibitor around his wrist even when podracing, trusting on skill alone to make it to the end of the race. Anakin smiled and shook his head. If he were to come to the temple now the council would kick him out for his betrayal to the order and his habit of acting out on his emotions.
Anakin was still puzzled though that the Jedi had never searched for him. He had expected that Obi-Wan would at least try and locate his padawan, but it appeared that the Jedi cared no more about him than the Sith had implied.
Either way, Anakin knew deep inside that if he had stayed at the temple, he would have eventually regretted it.
Earlier he had contacted his mother and told her of his decision to work on Naboo.
"That's wonderful, Ani!" she had cried, her relief evident.
Anakin had smiled, understanding her fear for his life as he policed the Coruscant underlevels. She hated it whenever he went down there, but it wasn't like Tatooine, when she could order him to stay home.
They had talked about a few other things; Shmi's life on the farm, Owen's interest in a girl he had met in the city, and other bits of news from Tatooine.
"You will come and see us soon, won't you?" Shmi had asked hopefully at the end. Anakin's last visit had been four months ago, far too long a time for a worried mother.
Anakin had promised to come as soon as he could, though he wasn't exactly sure when that would be.
Then they had said their goodbyes and cut off the connection.
Now Anakin looked around again as he studied his sparse belongings in the room. There wasn't much to pack. Now that he wasn't fighting the Coruscant criminal life, what in the world was he going to do for the next two weeks?
"I am going to die of boredom," he muttered with a glare.
...
Three chapters to help you figure out where the story is going. :) Please review, because I might not write more for a while otherwise.
