Jedi Master Arie Skywalker – Hee! Yes, I have a hard time seeing Anakin as a tea drinker too. He seems more like a… Mt. Dew or Red Bull kind of guy!
Ann Jinn – Ah, you have raised quite an interesting question there, my friend. Very interesting indeed. ;-)
Avschick33 – Yep, Order 66 rears its ugly head! There can just be no escape, I suppose! Thanks for the wonderful compliments about the way I'm portraying the darkness – you made me grin from ear to ear!
Hellish Red Devil – Oh, you think you hate Palpy now? Just sit back and wait. I believe you may be using harsher words after a few more chapters. And yes, we're definitely getting to the crux of things now. This update really kicks things off with a bang – figuratively AND literally! Hope you enjoy the ride! Buckle up!
meandmysharpie – Aw, thanks for touching base. I know you are extremely busy – I hope you liked the chapter when you had a chance to read it!
Eriks leadinglady – I love the British thing you have going on – it sounds very cultured! And hey, I'm all about having my work called 'bloody brilliant.' Yep, that sounds pretty good to me! ;-) I'm glad your computer is back up and running – mine went down a few weeks ago and I thought I was going to lose my mind! So I can completely identify! Thanks for reading – and for always being so supportive! It means a lot!
ALL – Well… here we go. Obi-wan and Padmé begin to put their plan into action. The ramifications will be felt for many chapters to come… Stay tuned! And of course, THANKS for reading!
CHANCELLOR PALPATINE'S OFFICE - LATE EVENING
She hadn't sent him a message for the second straight night.
Anakin couldn't tear his gaze away from the console, in spite of the hurt and frustration that the sight caused. He slammed his flesh hand on the unforgiving surface, pounding out his anguish again and again. When his eyes started watering from the pain, only then did he risk another glance at the green lettering.
No messages.
"Padmé," he whispered brokenly. "I need you."
He sank to the floor as his legs gave way. Everything was falling apart and he was helpless to stop it. Force, even if he suddenly had all the power in the Galaxy, he wouldn't even know where to begin! The line between right and wrong had never been more blurred.
And now Padmé seemed to be slipping away from him. Her Force signature was nearly unidentifiable - a change that had happened from one day to the next. He could sense that she was alive, of course, he would always sense that. But the soothing traces of her emotions, the warmth of her love for him - all of that had been inexplicably locked away.
And all he could do was wonder why.
No messages.
"I'll do better," he cried bitterly. "I promise."
He let his head fall back, barely wincing when it struck the wall behind him harder than he had intended. Staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows, he was startled to see that night had fallen over Coruscant. Unwilling to return to the Temple just yet, he kicked his legs out before him and his boots settled among the shadows. The inky depths hid the scrapes and scars, as if the leather had never seen the wear and tear of battle.
Perhaps darkness was not such a horrible thing, he mused. One only needs to know how to use it to their advantage.
A high-pitched beep roused him and he leapt to his feet instinctively. Rushing towards the console, he entered the password, his fingers trembling in their eagerness.
One message.
He activated the playback feature and breathed a sigh of relief as his angel finally appeared before him.
"Oh, Anakin," she murmured fretfully. "I'm so sorry I was unable to send you a message last night. I accidentally fell asleep and by the time I woke up, you would have returned to the Temple. Please do not be worried - the med droid said this is what often happens as the pregnancy develops; and that is certainly happening. Obi-wan even accused me of waddling. Me! A former Queen!"
Though the corners of his mouth were twitching upwards, a part of him remained unmoved by his wife's humor. The absence of her Force signature still stung - a wound that refused to heal.
But her next statement helped to set his mind at ease.
"Speaking of your Master, he is teaching me how to strengthen my mind shields. I know that probably makes you uncomfortable, our connection has always been so strong. But I want to take every necessary precaution. As Obi-wan said, a Sith would use any means necessary if he considered me enough of a threat.
Anakin felt a white-hot stab of guilt for not having considered such a possibility before.
"Thank you, Master," he murmured gratefully.
"It isn't as difficult as I anticipated; probably because I've had so many experiences where I've had to hide my intentions!" The last chunks of ice around his heart melted under the spell of her rueful smile. "Hmmm… I'm not sure that is something I should be bragging about."
He brought his hand up and tried to trace the contours of her face, ignoring the way the tips of his fingers passed through thin air. She was so beautiful, so pure. What had he done to deserve such a gift? Was he ever going to feel worthy of it?
"Obi-wan says we're getting close to our final destination. Obviously, it has taken us much longer than necessary but the vigilance has served us well. No one has seemed the least bit suspicious – they think we are just another transport. I hope the Force continues its generosity; we have been very blessed thus far."
She shifted on the sleep couch, and he noticed the way she rubbed her rounded abdomen. It had become a habit of hers and the loving gesture brought him a measure of comfort.
"Master Kenobi also wanted me to tell you that he's very proud of the way you've been handling yourself. He's been in touch with the Council and they are extremely pleased with the effort you have put into your reports. I'm so glad to hear it, Ani. I know our separation has been difficult but it will be a small price to pay in the end."
He bit his lip, envious of the resolute way she stood in her loyalties. Of course, it helped that she was unaware of the confrontation between Master Windu and Palpatine. He had wanted nothing more than to tell her about it but then she would worry - and that couldn't be good for the baby.
Yes, he had to protect his family; and that meant handling this on his own.
"We're refueling in the morning and this is one time I think you'll be glad you aren't with us. I can't reveal the name of our mystery planet for security purposes, of course, but it shares a distinct characteristic with your home planet… sand; and lots of it."
She yawned widely and rubbed her eyes. "I suppose that's a sign that I should turn in. Obi-wan has whipped up one of his famous concoctions; he claims it is mild enough for the baby but strong enough for a full night of sleep. Unfortunately, he also warned that it tasted a bit like licking a gundark's foot. Honestly, where does he come up with these things?"
Anakin grimaced, immediately sympathizing with his beloved wife. His former Master had forced the strange brew upon him on more than one occasion and the taste certainly left something to be desired.
"Continue to stay safe, my love. I am trying not to worry about you but I can't seem to help it. I love you."
He watched her stand and step towards the recording device.
"I'll be in touch again soon, Ani. You may hear some things… well, I cannot go into it right now. Just be sure to check for a message from me if anything seems… out of place. There's absolutely no need to fret; everything will be all right, I promise. Now, before I go to bed, I'm going to pay a visit to your Master. I simply must find out how he knows what a gundark's foot tastes like."
She gave him a teasing wink and disappeared as she closed out the recording.
However, the hollow ache in his chest remained.
ABOARD TRANSPORT SHIP – NEXT DAY
Padmé clutched her com-link in one hand while the other nervously twisted the folds of the cloak that lay across her lap. The daring plan she and Obi-wan had hatched was about to take a step into the 'unbelievably crazy' category and she wasn't sure if she was ready.
"You have no choice," she murmured to herself. "You must act now before it is too late."
Indeed, everything was in motion. Artoo was already outside with his Holo-cam charged and ready, Obi-wan was traversing the market. All she had to do was make a casual decent down the ramp of the ship.
Just as Cordé had done that fateful day.
"I miss you, my dear friend," she whispered. "Please, give me strength. Help me through this."
"Milady?"
She jumped at the sound of Obi-wan's voice crackling through the com-link. She recovered quickly and opened the channel to respond. "Yes, I'm here."
"I have purchased the items we discussed. We are a go."
She pressed a hand to her racing heart. "Affirmative. Were you able to drop off the package?"
"Yes." He sounded pained at having to use the old-fashioned courier service but their options were limited on such an outlying planet. "I have been assured that it will arrive on Naboo within the next forty-eight hours."
She nodded and stood, draping the voluminous cloak over her right arm. "Then I guess there's only one thing left for me to do."
"Are you sure you don't want me to escort you? I can be there in fifteen minutes."
She was sure her sigh was audible through she tried valiantly to suppress it. "We've been through this a million times. I will be much less conspicuous if I'm alone. I mean, you even walk like a Jedi."
She heard him mutter something about 'stubborn' and 'too much like Anakin.'
"I can hear you," she sang teasingly.
He paused and she was sure a scowl that was wending its way across his face. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Just... be careful. I will give you thirty minutes before I come searching for you."
"Don't worry, I'll be there."
"May the Force be with you. Kenobi out."
She schooled her features into a serene expression before opening the exterior door. She was greeted by a burst of sunlight so overpowering, she had to shield her eyes with her hands.
She knew she had a tight schedule to keep, yet she couldn't resist taking a moment to relish the feeling. Traveling through the vastness of space was so cold and dark; it was nice to feel warmth in her hair again. She was glad she had decided to leave it loose; it reminded her of days spent lounging by the lakes on Naboo.
Force, she couldn't wait to return! And then she and Anakin could just be a family like trillions of other beings throughout the Galaxy.
Keeping that thought in mind, she strode down the ramp and ducked under the ship for a 'routine' pre-flight check. She was almost halfway through when her foot found the hollow spot in the sand.
"It's just where Obi-wan said it would be," she whispered. "All right; it's show time. I do hope you are ready, Artoo. We only have one shot at this."
She sent up a prayer, pressed a button... and didn't even try to stifle her shriek as the transport above her was blown to pieces.