Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Hey everyone! Here's part 2!. Enjoy and let me know what you think. Time for an age check on the kids.
Ryoo: 18
Pooja: 15
Will: 3
Luke and Leia: 13
Mara: 12
Kimberly: 11
Jayden, Jenna, and Natalie: 10
The Corellian Conflict: A Forever Destined Vignette
Part 2/?
"Hi Mommy!" Jayden and Jenna called, as they arrived home with their Grandfather. They had a full house tonight, as everyone was coming over for a big family dinner. Since Bandomeer, they did it at least once a week. Her mother, Shmi, and Elana were already in the kitchen cooking.
"Hi babies, how was your day?" she asked.
"Good," they chorused, as they scampered inside.
"Well, they're full of energy as usual. Didn't sparring wear them out at all?" Padme joked. Qui-Gon chuckled.
"I don't think there's anything that can wear those two out," Qui-Gon joked.
"Just like their father," she replied, as her face became pensive.
"He's okay," Yan assured her, as Qui-Gon went inside.
"Physically, but you know he's going to be blaming himself for not being able to save everyone," Padme replied.
"That's why he needs you to talk sense into him. You two have a connection that no one but the two of you understand, but it's not hard for the rest of us to see how much you both need each other," Yan said.
"Sometimes I don't even quite understand it. I don't know why his powers depend on me so much," Padme replied.
"Neither do I. The two of you give a new definition to the phrase soul mates. But it's a good thing, sweetheart. The kind of love that has manifested itself between the two of you is a thing of legend…or prophecy if you will," Yan said, as he handed a data card to her.
"What's this?" she asked.
"You've heard us speak of the prophecy of the Chosen One. I think it's something you should read when you have time. It might give you a little insight into things," Yan said.
"I don't understand," Padme replied. Yan smiled.
"The small portion of the prophecy that everyone has heard is only a fabricated abbreviation of this ancient story, which dates back to the beginning of time. And believe me when I say that it has everything to do with you and Anakin," Yan said. Padme still looked confused.
"Tuck it away for now and read it when you can. You may share it with Anakin if you wish after you read it," Yan said.
"I am getting the feeling that not many have read the true story of the origin of the prophecy, have they?" she asked. He nodded with a smile.
"You are very perceptive, as usual. Master Yoda and I are the only two living people that have read it. Others have long since passed. Many have scoffed at it over the centuries, sighting it as just a silly legend, but I think you'll find truth in it," Yan said mysteriously.
"You're trusting me with such a secretive legend?" she asked. Yan chuckled.
"Anakin may be the Chosen One, but you are his Chosen. His fate rests in your loving, capable hands," Yan said, as he went inside, leaving her to her thoughts. Padme saw her husband's speeder drawing closer and her heart fluttered in longing. Ever since their battle against Palo when they had connected so powerfully, it had become even more difficult to be apart than usual. They were more than capable of being apart during the day to attend to their separate careers, but the last time Anakin had left on a week long mission, it had been simply unbearable. She had thought she was being silly and over dramatic, but it had been the same way for him. An aching existed inside their hearts when they were apart for longer than a day. Something truly amazing had occurred between them on Bandomeer. They literally needed each other to stay alive. Anakin landed the speeder and Luke and Kimberly hugged their mother. After she'd hugged and doted on them both for a moment, they scampered inside. Anakin awaited her and she leapt into his arms. He spun her around, as their lips met with searing passion. She didn't care about the mystical reasons surrounding his powers. She just knew that she never wanted to stop feeling his love like this. As dangerous as it could potentially be to share such a powerful connection, it was a thousand times more amazing to experience such true, powerful love. Padme craved him constantly. He was her drug and she was his. Her lungs burned with need for air, but she never wanted his lips to leave hers when they finally did. She smiled at him, drinking in his handsome features.
"I heard they turned down your petition to increase patrols in the outer rim again," he said. She nodded.
"They did, but I won't stop trying. I heard how you saved all those people today. You never cease to amaze me," she replied.
"Too many people still died. While I'm stopping one tragedy, it seems like that more occur elsewhere at the same time. It's like Sifo-Dyas is laughing at me; mocking me, because he's one step ahead of us, as usual," Anakin said in frustration.
"Ani…you're human. You can't save everyone and that's okay," she said, as she cupped his face in her hands.
"You do so much good. Please don't beat yourself up about this. It's their fault these bad things are happening; not yours. Just think about what things would be like if you weren't here," she suggested. He nodded. She always made sense. She always put things in perspective for him.
"I suppose you're right," he replied. She smiled.
"Of course I am," she replied, as she kissed him tenderly.
"Now, let's go eat. If I know you, you're starving," she replied. He smirked.
"That I am. And I think I smell Mom's Bantha stew," he replied. She nodded, as they joined hands and went inside to join their family.
~*~
"We are in position, Master," Kendra said, as she bowed before her Master's hologram.
"Good. The Ion Cannon prototype will make it appear that the Corellian ship fired first, as it will cause no exterior damage to the ship," Sifo-Dyas said.
"Are you positive they will fire on us after we disable them?" Kendra asked. Sifo-Dyas smirked.
"They are Corellians. Of course they will. Everything should go as planned. Should you botch this mission up, your life will be forfeit. There can be no mistakes in this plan. It's success is imperative to my future plans," Sifo-Dyas explained.
"I will not fail, my Master," Kendra responded, as the Falleens milled about around her on the bridge. They were loyal to Xizor and completely aware of the fact they were about to frame the Corellians. Sifo-Dyas' hologram faded, as their Corellian target slowly approached. As expected, an incoming comm transmission was coming from them.
"It's time for you all to pay," Kendra growled, as she slipped into the shadows and allowed Xizor's trusted associate, Mylar, to take over.
"This is Captain Jennings, requesting passage through your system," the voice said. Mylar, a good friend to Xizor, smirked.
"Request denied," he replied in a neutral tone.
"Denied? I don't understand," the Captain responded.
"I apologize for the inconvenience Captain, but Falleen airspace is temporarily closed due to an internal matter of planet security," Mylar explained vaguely
"I don't think you understand. This is a Corellian Military freight vessel. We need passage through this system to deliver our relief aide to the systems in need. This is the only viable route. We have orders from the Senate," the Captain explained.
"We have received no such orders. Please turn your ship around. You'll have to find an alternative route, Captain," Mylar said, as he cut the transmission. He joined Kendra on the lift.
"Fire the Ion Cannon once I give you the signal," Mylar ordered, as he and Kendra took the lift to the shuttle bay. His subordinates knew about the plans to attack the Corellians and make it look like they had attacked them first. But what they didn't realize was that Xizor had ordered the ship's destruction to maximize the effect and destroy any evidence. They were about to become causalities of war…
~*~
"Open the channel again, Ensign Anderson," the Captain ordered.
"They're not responding, Sir," she replied. He sighed.
"Place an emergency transmission to Coruscant. Tell them it's urgent I speak to Senator Iblis, regarding a military matter. He'll clear this up for us with those filthy Falleens," Jennings growled.
"Yes Sir," she replied. Suddenly, the ship shook violently.
"What was that? Report!" the Captain demanded.
"I…don't know Sir! We were hit with something and it's disabled the nav computer and the engines! It came from the Falleen ship!" Lt. Scott reported. The ship rocked violently again.
"They hit us again!" Ensign Anderson called.
"Then fire a small warning blast right back at them and keep trying to open a comm channel with them!" the Captain called.
~*~
Kendra and Mylar sat in the escape shuttle in the near distance.
"They are getting ready to fire. Are you ready?" Kendra asked.
"Yes, I have the ship on a manual self destruct. All I have to do is press a button," Mylar replied. He didn't feel quite right about murdering his own people, but Xizor insisted that this was a necessary evil if they were ever going to gain power in the Senate. Besides, he too, believed those filthy Corellians deserved to be knocked off their mighty pedestal. And once Corellia was taken down, Naboo and Alderaan would follow. The stun blast exited the Corellians ship's cannon and Kendra made the call.
"Now!" she ordered. He pressed the correct button and the Falleen ship exploded in a fiery burst. Mylar smirked. He could imagine the chaos and disbelief aboard the Corellian ship right about now. It was time for him to be a good actor. He opened a comm channel and contacted the palace in a frantic voice, telling them what had occurred. Inside of ten minutes, Falleen war ships surrounded the Corellian vessel and forced it to land on Falleen where the Captain and crew were arrested. The Senate would be in an uproar. Darth Tyrannus would be pleased…
~*~
Anakin sat back and patted his full stomach.
"That was great Mom," Anakin said. Everyone else chorused their thanks.
"You're welcome," she said.
"Daddy, I helped Grandma Jobal make cake," Jenna said.
"Nah uh, you just ate the batter," Jayden teased his twin.
"No, that was you, laser brain. I helped make it, didn't I Grandma?" Jenna asked. Jobal smiled.
"Of course. You did a fantastic job with the frosting," Jobal replied with a chuckle. The twins had helped her and the kitchen had been a disaster afterwards. But nothing else had ever made Jobal happier. Jenna beamed and stuck her tongue out at her brother.
"You know I love cake Princess, especially when you make it," Anakin answered his daughter.
"Me too. I'll take some cake too, tiny one," Riley said. Jenna beamed at their praise.
"Hello!" they heard someone call from the veranda.
"Natalie!" Jayden called, as he spotted her and her parents.
"Bail and Breha, what a nice surprise! And Bel," Padme said, as she spotted Bel Iblis with them.
"Yes, we just wish we were here under better circumstances," Bail replied. Padme frowned.
"What's happened?" she asked.
"It's on the Holonews. Let's watch and then I'll explain what we know," Bel replied. Padme nodded.
"Kids, why don't you take Natalie and go play. Mommy will bring cake into you in a little while," Padme promised.
"Mom, I want to stay," Leia said.
"Me too," Luke added. Anakin nodded to them, as Kimberly took Will from her Aunt Sola and led the other three younger children to the playroom. The Holonews was switched on and they watched the grim situation numbly. Eventually when they began repeating parts of the story they had already heard, Yan switched the holoscreen off.
"The Captain and crew were arrested by the Falleen?" Anakin asked. Bel nodded.
"Yes. They are being extradited to Corellia as it is Republic law that they are to stand trial at home in order to receive a fair one. But Xizor is practically frothing at the mouth over this. He is demanding that the Captain and his senior crew face Capital charges on multiple counts of murder," Bel said gravely. Padme snorted.
"This whole thing has Xizor's stench all over it," she said.
"I agree with Padme. I find it hard to believe that a Corellian military cargo ship would fire on a Falleen cruiser for no reason," Anakin replied.
"The Captain insists that they did not fire first. But there is no evidence to back that up. The Captain says the Falleen fired a strange blast that caused no damage, except disabling the nav computer and engines. The Captain fired a warning stun blast after the second blast from the Falleen's. I'll admit it was not a smart move, but there was no way it should have destroyed the Falleen ship," Bel said.
"You're right. With the destruction of the Falleen ship, there went any evidence too. Sounds like a frame job to me. And Xizor's name is all over it," Anakin said. Bel nodded.
"What do you need us to do to help?" Padme asked.
"The trial begins in two days. Xizor is allowed to choose two Senators to oversee his side of the trail. I am allowed two Senators on my side as well. I agree that the Captain should be disciplined for even thinking about firing on the Falleen ship, even if it was just a stun blast. But he should not executed for this freak accident, especially if it is a frame job. I've chosen you and Bail, if you accept," Bel said.
"We'll leave for Corellia in the morning," Padme answered.
"Excellent. Thank you. Your family, The Organa family, and any Council members the Jedi wish to send will be taken to Corellia aboard my personal Corellian military cruiser. It leaves at eight a.m. sharp tomorrow morning," Bel said.
"We'll get to the bottom of this, Bel. Whatever Xizor is up to he won't get away with it," Anakin promised
"Thank you Anakin. I just hope we can prove what we suspect," Bel said.
~*~
The Skywalker family was on the landing pad the next morning, before eight. Obi-Wan had arrived just before them with Ryoo, Qui-Gon, and Yan. Mace, Zia, and Mara arrived next, along with Riley. He and Zia were both going to be investigating all possible angles of the case. The Organa family arrived last with Bel Iblis. Natalie was with them, though they had tried to convince her to stay behind with her nanny. But once she found out that Jayden was going, she had cried and cried when they told her she wasn't going. They inevitably gave in to her.
"If you'll all follow me, we'll be on our way. My ship's crew is at your service. Once we arrive on Corellia, you'll be shown to the residence's I'm having prepared for all of you in the Capital Complex," Bel said. The Capital Complex was much like Theed Palace, though vastly larger. It was the center of Coronet, the Capital City, and spanned several miles in all directions. It housed all the Corellian delegates and their staff, including Bel when he was home. It also housed all members of Corellian parliament and the Prime Minister. In the rotunda building, the parliament and the Prime Minister met to discuss planetary matters. The Corellian University of Engineering was also a part of this large conglomerate. Anakin remembered that particular part of the complex well, as he had been invited to study there when he was sixteen. And finally, it was also home to Corellia's largest military base of operations. That building was parallel to the rotunda and was opposite in shape, as it was more of a very tall, slim building. This would be the place they would be for the duration of the trial. Anakin knew that Sifo-Dyas and Xizor were behind all of this. The weapon that had hit the Corellian ship, leaving no physical damage, intrigued Anakin more than just a little. He wanted to know what kind of weapon could do just specific damage to the engines and the nav computer without damaging other parts of the ship as well. It was no weapon that Anakin had ever heard of, which likely meant that it was newly invented. And he had a very strong feeling that Sifo-Dyas' scientists were behind its creation. If that was so, then he had to figure out what this weapon was and what its exact purpose could be. And if there was any place to study ship and weapons, it was Corellia.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Padme asked, noticing he was a thousand miles away. He gave her his trademark half smile.
"I'm fine angel. Have you ever been on a tour of a Corellian Military vessel?" Anakin asked her.
"I don't think so, but I'm sure it's just like any other," she replied. He chuckled.
"Sorry angel, but it's not. I'm sure Bel will give us a tour," he replied.
"Well, I'm sure you're going to have more fun with that than I am. But I'll tag along anyway. I've been told by you that I look very good on your arm," she teased. He smirked.
"That you do," he replied, as he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. The ramp lifted, as the passengers filed to their seats. Moments later, the large Corellian vessel left Coruscant and entered hyperspace for the seven hour trip to Corellia.