Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's part 2! Thanks for all the great reviews! Keep them coming and enjoy this next installment!
Imperial Underground: A Forever Destined Vignette
Part 2/3
Padme arrived at Dooku's penthouse and her mother greeted her.
"Hello sweetheart. You're home early," Jobal greeted pleasantly.
"For once, I wasn't overloaded with work," she replied, as she spotted Shmi approaching with the baby.
"There's my girl," Padme said, as Shmi handed Kimberly to her.
"Mama..." Kimberly babbled, as Padme cuddled her close.
"Elana is making some tea," Shmi said.
"Great. Some herbal tea is just what I need after having to deal with that creep, Senator Malachai again," Padme said, as she sat down with Kimberly in her lap.
"Was that awful man harassing you again?" Shmi asked.
"He was just upset with me, because I defeated another one of his motions to build more tourist traps," Padme replied.
"I will never understand why they let degenerate whelps like that serve in the Senate," Elana said, as she set the tray down on the sofa table. She poured the tea and Padme plucked a homemade sweet roll from the plate and placed it on her saucer. She tore a piece off and took a bite, leaving a small piece behind. She put it to Kimberly's lips and she opened her little mouth, gumming and chewing the soft, sweet treat eagerly.
"Nummy, mama," the baby cooed. Padme smiled and kissed her head, before taking a sip of her tea.
"Hello!" Zia called, as she entered from the veranda with two-year-old Mara in her arms.
"Hi Zia, how are you?" Padme greeted.
"Wonderful, right baby girl?" she asked her daughter.
"Look who's here, angel," Padme cooed to her own daughter. They put the girls down on a blanket on the floor and set some toys out for them. They went happily about playing.
"Would you like some tea?" Elana asked.
"Please," Zia replied.
"So, how are things going between you and Mace?" Shmi asked. Zia smiled.
"Very well. We've gotten very close and he adores Mara, just as she adores him. He says she's very strong in the Force and wants to train her," Zia said.
"That's nice...but I think we were asking about the two of you," Padme nudged her. Zia blushed.
"Things are really great. I mean...I've been intimate with a few men before, more than I'd like to admit. But I've never felt the emotional connection that I feel with Mace before. I think...I'm in love with him," she admitted. Padme smiled and sipped at her tea.
"Have you told him how you feel?" Padme asked.
"Not yet. I'm afraid of making things awkward between us if he doesn't feel the same," she replied.
"Well, I think you should be honest with him and you might even discover that he does feel the same," Padme said. Zia smiled.
"I hops so," she replied.
"Well, forgive me for being nosy, but you two belong together," Padme said. Zia nodded, then smirked, deciding she would take the opportunity to tease her friend.
"Speaking of good matches, I hear several agencies out there want the opportunity to correspond with both of you, so they may write a book on the "Galaxy's greatest love story", I think they're calling it," Zia teased. Padme rolled her eyes.
"Oh please, they make up enough stuff as it is. We don't need to give them anymore ammunition," Padme replied.
"True. I was reading a very interesting article this morning. Tell me, just how does Anakin Skywalker rate as a lover on the scale of one to ten. And does he wear boxers or briefs over all that...equipment," Zia teased. Padme flushed crimson, as the other women thoroughly enjoyed her discomfort.
"I loathe the Holonet," she half growled, then smirked.
"But if you must have an answer to your scale, it's way off the charts. And that's the only answer you get from me," Padme replied. They just laughed and resumed chatting.
Anakin and Obi-Wan walked quietly into the abandoned warehouse. The eerie quiet was unnerving, especially, as the dark presence increased as they walked.
"We have intruders, Admiral," Lady Ziya said, as she flipped the view screen on. She snarled, as they appeared on screen.
"It is the Chosen One and his brother," she snarled.
"We have been compromised. All data has been transmitted to my ship. Plant the explosives and let's go. I'll send a welcoming committee to distract our guests," Sate said.
"What about the vermin?" she asked, indicating their two prisoners.
"Let the Jedi try to put them back together after the explosives go off. I daresay it will be an impossible venture," Pestage smirked evilly. She smirked evilly at them.
"How unfortunate for you. You had better say your final prayer to your All Mighty Force," she said, as she switched on the large thermal detonator that was situated on the main console.
"So long, Jedi scum," she spat, as she followed Pestage up the ladder to the main level of the warehouse. Sha'a began to panic, as the countdown began at five minutes and ticked away.
"Calm down Sha'a. They'll get us out in time," she said.
"I hope," she thought silently.
"Freeze...hand up Jedi!" a robotic voice ordered. Obi-Wan and Anakin stopped, as they were suddenly surrounded by battle droids. Three droidekas added to their annoyance, as they rolled into the fray.
"Great...bolt heads," Anakin growled, using his derogatory nickname for the battle droids. The Jedi brothers drew their light sabers, as the droids began firing. The brothers stood back to back, feigning off the onslaught of laser bolts with expert precision. Anakin spotted a man in a gray military uniform, one that style an insignia from Palpatine's time as Chancellor, and another figure, cloaked in black, exit a secret floor hatch.
"The bolt heads are a distraction," Anakin said.
"Just as we predicted," Obi-Wan replied.
"I think I know where our missing people are," Anakin said.
"The secret floor hatch is a bit obvious," Obi-Wan replied, as he saw the cloaked figure ignited her crimson blade.
"You find our comrades and I'll accept her invitation," Obi-Wan said.
"Why do you get to fight the assassin?" Anakin questioned.
"Because I said so. Now go," Obi-Wan responded.
"Killjoy," Anakin jabbed.
"Troublemaker," Obi-Wan retorted. Anakin somersaulted over the assassin's head and took off for the secret compartment. The Sith assassin's red blade crashed down on Obi-Wan's saber, causing her hood to fall to her shoulders.
"He'll never make it. This place is going up in a blaze in mere moments," she hissed.
"You don't know him then. It's you who should be worried. When you are captured, you will be interrogated at the Temple and you will tell us what you know," Obi-Wan stated. She snorted in disgust.
"You'll never take me alive, Jedi slime. And you'll never discover the secrets of the Imperial Underground," she growled, as their sabers clashed in feverish movements.
"Our regime will rise from the ashes and one day crush your pitiful Republic!" she snarled.
"Not if I have anything to do with it!" Obi-Wan roared, as he slashed furiously.
"Then perhaps I should remove you from the equation," she threatened.
"You will try," he snapped back, as the battle raged between them.
Anakin's feet landed solidly in the secret, underground headquarters.
"Over here!" Olana called.
"There's a bomb! It's going to go off in two minutes!" Sha'a panicked.
"Then we had better get out of here before it does," Anakin replied, as he swiped through the lock on their cell and let them out. Olana ran for the escape hatch, while Sha'a lagged nervously behind her. Anakin suppressed a sigh of annoyance and grabbed Sha'a by the arm.
"My three-year-olds have more courage than him!" Anakin thought to himself.
"You're going to have move faster than that!" Anakin said, pulling him along. Anakin scaled the ladder as if it was nothing and waited impatiently for Sha'a to climb.
"Come on, move!" he called. Once the skittish Knight was within reach, Anakin grabbed the back of his tunic and hauled him up.
Ziya noticed the Chosen One behind her and knew she would not survive if she faced him. She surprised Obi-Wan by kicking him in the chest and grabbing onto a rope that had been lowered from the ceiling hatch for her escape.
"So long Jedi slime!" she sneered, as she was quickly pulled out to the roof of the building. The four Jedi ran out of the warehouse as fast as they could, just as the whole place exploded, throwing them to the ground. Anakin was up quickly, as the saw the speeder escaping with the two enemies.
"Come on, they're getting away," Anakin said, as he undid the locking code and hopped into the speeder. Obi-Wan was right behind him.
"Come on!" Anakin yelled to the two Knights. They climbed in the back.
"You mean, we're going after them?" Sha'a asked nervously. Anakin snorted.
"We're Jedi, of course we are. Strap in," Anakin replied, as he slammed the throttle down. Both Olana and Sha'a yelled in fright, as they went after the enemy at dangerous speeds. Anakin wove up, down, and around oncoming traffic in hot pursuit of the Sith assailant and her unknown companion. The woman's accomplice made a sudden and risky right angled turn, before sailing through a dark alleyway. Anakin spiraled them into the alleyway in pursuit, dodging various obstructions, as he continued to pursue them.
"You're going to get us killed!" Olana screamed. Sha'a was white as a sheet, but neither Anakin nor Obi-Wan looked fazed.
"Believe it or not, he knows what he's doing!" Obi-Wan called. Anakin smirked, as they exited the alleyway.
"We can't shake him!" Ziya growled.
"It is imperative that we get the data to Cato-Neimodia. All is lost if the Jedi get their hands on it. Fortunately, I have something that should slow them down," Pestage said, as he pressed a small green switch on the console. A compartment at the back of the vehicle opened up and released several buzz droids. The maniacal mechanisms quickly latched onto Anakin's speeder and began tearing it apart. Anakin was forced to slow, so Obi-Wan and the others could stand and fight off the droids with their light sabers. Anakin ignited his own blade and destroyed one on his left side. Once they were all taken care of, the damage to the speeder was minimal and Anakin took off again.
"We've lost them," Olana said in frustration.
"Not yet," Anakin said, as he sped in the enemy's last known direction.
"You're crazy! They're gone! Stop trying to get us killed!" Sha'a yelled.
"Sha'a is right. This pursuit is useless now," Olana said.
"He's likely heading for the shipping yard. We just might catch them. And you two ought to show Master Skywalker a little more respect," Obi-Wan called back to them. Having been put in their place, they were silent. They reached the shipping yard and spotted a ship getting ready to take off. Anakin hopped out and sprinted toward it, but he was forced to take cover, as the pilot began firing at them. Explosions racked around them, as other ships and vehicles, including Anakin's speeder, exploded. Anakin rolled away, attempting to get closer to the now hovering ship. Battle droids surrounded them, as the ship soared out of the hanger. Anakin suppressed a growl of frustration.
"Hands up Jedi," the droid commander ordered. Sha'a Gi's hands shook, as he slowly began to raise them.
"If you surrender to these bolt heads, Knight Gi, I promise all your sparring sessions will be with me for the next six months. And I will not go easy on you like the other Masters do," Anakin snapped. Sha'a put his hands down, watching in disbelief, as Anakin's eyes darkened into a cobalt blue. He yelped in fight, as a flail of raw, white Force energy emitted from Anakin like a shockwave, making instant scrap metal out of the droids. He looked at his smoking, wrecked speeder.
"My favorite speeder," he said in exasperation. Obi-Wan patted his shoulder.
"It will be all right. Look at it this way. You have a whole hanger full of them at home," Obi-Wan teased.
"Not helping," Anakin pouted. They sent for a transport and were picked up, as they headed back to the Temple...
Senator Machius Malachai sat at the bar in his favorite local cantina. He downed his second glass of Bespin ale and motioned for the bartender to fill it. He did so, but then spoke.
"Sir, you have a call," he told him. Machius cringed, knowing exactly who it was. He walked into the back and closed the door. He flipped the Holoscreen on and Garret Wells appeared on the screen. He still appeared as every bit the business man, even after spending the last three years in prison. Just a few months ago, Garret was mysteriously released, but soon found his freedom came with a price. He was being paid handsomely to create a legitimate front to cloak the Imperial Underground's operation. They needed one on Coruscant and Wells had paid Senator Malachai to help him get it done. But the motion to build his resort that would act as that front had been defeated again.
"Good evening, Senator," Garret said cooly.
"Mr. Wells, how are you this evening?" Machius greeted nervously.
"Save the pleasantries, Senator. You have not held up your end of the bargain," Garret said smoothly.
"I have tried, but that little bitch from Naboo keeps rallying against me!" he exclaimed.
"Yes...Senator Skywalker is quite a nuisance. It was she and her husband that sent me to Kessel from for three years. You need to try harder, Senator," Garret chided.
"But I have! What more can I do?" he asked.
"Do you need to be replaced, Senator? Because...that can be arranged," Well's threatened.
"No...I will make the motion again. But what guarantee do I have that it will not be defeated again?" he asked.
"Some of my associates will pay a few...visits to those who need persuading. You'll get your votes next time," Garret replied.
"And Senator Skywalker?" he asked.
"While I would love to make that snippy little upstart pay for her transgression, The Chosen One's wife must be handled delicately. I don't need her husband poking around our operation even more than he already will be. It is likely she will still vote against it even if we do intimidate her...but I have a special agent that can handle the job of doing so. Even without her, we'll get the votes we need anyhow," Wells answered.
"What do you need me to do?" Malachai asked.
"Just make sure you're in a public place tonight, so they can't blame you for the threats that are about to be made," Garret ordered.
"Yes sir," Machius replied, as the screen went dark. He collected himself and returned to the bar.
When they arrived back at the Temple, they entered the Council Room immediately for debriefing. Anakin almost forgot on occasion that he now had a seat on the Council as well. He took it next to Obi-Wan, as Olana and Sha'a stood in the center of the room, waiting for Yoda to speak.
"Welcome back, Knight Chion, Knight Gi," the little Master greeted. They bowed deeply.
"Thank you Master Yoda," they replied.
"Interesting situation you found yourselves in, hmmm..." he said.
"Yes Masters, we are very lucky that Master Kenobi found us," Olana said.
"Mmm...played a part in your rescue, Master Skywalker did, I think, hmmm," Yoda said. Olana flushed in embarrassment.
"Yes Master," she answered.
"Hmm...what say you, Knight Gi? In dangerous territory, you were. Why so far off your patrol route?" the tiny Master asked. Sha'a Gi looked down at his feet.
"I...um, got us lost. I thought I knew a short cut, but we ended up in the lower levels. Then all these droids surrounded us and a woman with a red light saber took us prisoner," he said.
"What can either of you tell us about your captors?" Mace asked.
"The woman was called Lady Ziya, but we only ever heard her call the man Admiral," Olana said.
"I only saw him from the back, but I recognized an insignia on his shoulder as one Tarkin used to wear also," Anakin mentioned.
"I fought Ziya while Anakin rescued these two. She mentioned something about an Imperial Underground," Obi-Wan said. Mace sighed.
"Is it really possible?" Mace wondered.
"Palpatine does still have many who are loyal to him. They may still be working for him, trying to realize what Palpatine failed to," Aayla said.
"But if that's so, then that means Palpatine named a successor before he died. Someone has to be pulling the strings and I think these two we encountered are just agents," Anakin said.
"I agree with Anakin. Palpatine was aware of his possible death. He may have cited a successor months or even years before his death," Dooku said.
"And these two copied and transmitted all Palpatine's secrets from this hidden base, before destroying it," Qui-Gon said.
"Which bring the question of where they went with the information," Kit said.
"Cato-Neimodia," Obi-Wan and Anakin said simultaneously.
"Cato-Neimodia is impossible to breach if you're a Jedi," Mace said.
"They loathe us. Anakin and I would stick out like a pair of sore thumbs," Obi-Wan said.
"What about getting a pair of Knights they would not recognize to go undercover there?" Aayla asked.
"There's a slim chance of that as well," Dooku said, before continuing.
"The Neimodians are very prejudice against outsiders," he finished.
"They are also very strict about allowing Republic ships in there territory. There is a no fly zone around the planet and ships that violate it are fired upon," Obi-Wan said. They were all silent for a few moments.
"There is a filling station not far from there. It's own by a man named Jagged Antilles from Corellia. Getting a pair of undercover Knights there wouldn't be too much trouble at all. It's not ideal, but it is a very busy port. They could watch for any strange activity," Anakin said.
"An excellent idea, Anakin," Yoda said.
"Who should we send?" Kit asked.
"My choice would be Scout and Whie. They are married, so it's a believable front. We could also send Olana with them since she has seen the mysterious Admiral's face," Anakin said.
"I agree with Anakin. It is our best option," Qui-Gon said.
"Very well. Knight Chion, you will prepare for your undercover mission. You will depart with Knights Whie and Scout Malreaux at o six hundred tomorrow," Mace said. She bowed.
"Yes Master," she obeyed.
"As for you, Knight Gi, until you can learn to properly operate the nav computer in your speeder, you'll remain in the Temple, assisting Master Yoda with the youngling classes until further notice," Mace said. Sha'a shied away from Mace's piercing stare.
"Yes Master," he murmured.
"Dismissed," Mace said, as he rose from his seat. The other Council members filed out and Anakin checked his chrono, which read eight o'clock. Padme was home by now, he was sure and probably getting ready to put the children to bed. Suddenly, a feeling of dread came over him. Something was wrong. Padme was in danger. Dooku, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan watched, as Anakin wordlessly started sprinting toward the nearest landing pad.
"Let's go after him," Dooku said, as they quickly followed.
Padme knelt by the bathtub, giving Kimberly a bath. Padme gently rinsed the soap from Kimberly's skin.
"Luke and Leia, are you two getting ready for bed?" she called.
"Yes Mommy," she heard them chorus. She smiled and finished cleaning the soap off the baby. Kimberly kicked her legs and splashed her hands in the water, grinning up at her mother.
"Are you trying to splash mommy?" she cooed in a playful tone. The baby giggled and splashed again. Padme grabbed a towel and lifted her out, opening the drain.
"Okay silly girl, let's get your pajamas on," she said, as she wrapped the baby in a towel and carried her to her room. She diapered and dressed her in her pajamas, then picked her up and carried her to the twin's room, where they were playing with their toys, also dressed in their pajamas.
"Okay you two, it's time for bed," Padme stated.
"Mommy, when's daddy goin' be home?" Leia asked.
"Daddy had an important meeting with the Council tonight, but he'll be home soon. And then he'll be in to kiss you both good night," Padme replied. The twins climbed into bed and Padme kissed them both. Artoo rolled into the room and situated himself in the corner.
"Good night angels," she called.
"G'night mommy," they answered.
"Good night Artoo," she said. The droid whirred his own good night in response, as Padme turned the light off, letting Artoo's azure glow act as their night light and quietly closed the door.
"Okay baby, let's get your bottle and get you down for the night," she said to Kimberly, as she went into the living area. The twins and Kimberly had eaten their dinner at grandma's, but she had opted to wait for Anakin, as she always did. Shmi had packed up some food for them and she had placed it in the oven. She turned it on to warm the meal, knowing her husband would soon be home and then pulled a bottle from the refrigeration unit. Suddenly, she heard a strange noise and a bad feeling crept through her. She reached up to a cabinet above the stove, out of the children's reach, and pulled a blaster from it. She flipped the safety off and cocked the weapon, before slowly creeping out into the living area. Little Kimberly whimpered and fussed.
"Shh...it's okay baby. Mommy won't let anything happen to you," she promised.
"Who's there?" she called, but received no answer. She crept toward the veranda, her heart pounding in her chest. Something wasn't right.
"Anakin?" she called, even though she knew he wasn't there. She would have felt it if he were. She gripped the comlink on the table and signaled Captain Typho. But she received no answer.
"Your security officer took a bad step. I daresay he'll be out for a couple hours," a burly voice said. Padme whirled around and was faced with a man that had to be at least seven feet tall, with biceps that were almost bigger around than she was. He was bald, with sickly green eyes. She clutched Kimberly closer and pointed the blaster at him.
"Stay where you are," she ordered. But he only laughed. Padme kept pointing the blaster and backed away from him slowly. Kimberly was crying now and Padme tried to console her, rocking her in one arm.
"You should put that blaster down...before you hurt yourself," he sneered, as he produced a glowing whip. Padme yelped in fright, as he slashed at her with it, yanking the weapon from her grasp. Padme wrapped both arms around Kimberly, hiding the baby's face in her chest. Padme stepped back, as the assailant slowly approached her.
"What's the matter, Senator? You're so quiet. So unlike you. You always seem to have a lot of say in the Senate," he hissed.
"So that's what this is about. Someone has sent their goon to employ scare tactics! Well...it's not going to work," she spat. He chuckled.
"You have quiet a tongue, Senator. It gets you into a lot of trouble. I would hate to see you hurt because of it...or someone you love," he taunted, staring at the fussing child in her arms.
"You stay away from my children!" Padme yelled.
"You go back and tell Senator Malachai or whoever you're working for that their scare tactics will not work on me," Padme said fiercely. The man clicked his tongue in a chiding manner.
"Bad choice, Senator," he said, as he snapped the light whip, making her jump.
"I guess I'll have to teach you a lesson then, dear Senator," he sneered, as he wrapped his massive hand around her slender neck.
"Pity I have to mess up such a pretty face," he sneered.
"Take your filthy hands off my wife," Padme heard her husband growl over Kimberly's crying. The assailant smirked and turned around.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Slayer of Sith himself. I was just having a little chat with your lovely wife," he goaded.
"Get away from her now, you scum sucking slug," Anakin demanded.
"So hostile," he chided.
"Two can play that game," he said, as he hurled his light whip at Anakin with a crack, not seeming to notice the glowing white aura the Jedi emitted. Padme winced, as it looked like the whip would strike her husband. But Anakin raised his arm and caught the whip in his bare hand, yanking it away from the intruder. The man snarled and launched at Anakin. The Jedi blocked his fist with his forearm and struggled under the man's oppressive strength. Anakin felt surprised. The man's strength was unnatural and had it not been for his own Force enhanced strength, the man would have overpowered him with sheer brute strength. He ended the battle quickly, emitting a flail of white hot energy in the man's face and chest. The large brute fell to the floor face down; dead. Anakin rushed to Padme's side and pulled her into his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked tenderly.
"I'm fine, we're fine. Daddy got here just in time, didn't he baby," Padme said, as Kimberly began to calm.
"Oh my, thank goodness you got here in time, Master Ani," Threepio exclaimed, as he came out from hiding in the closet.
"Threepio, can you please warm Kimberly's bottle," Padme requested.
"Of course, Miss Padme," Threepio said, as he disappeared into the kitchen. Dooku, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan chose that moment to arrive.
"Well, looks like we missed all the action," Obi-Wan said.
"Sweetheart, do you know who he was or why he attacked you?" Dooku asked.
"He didn't give me a name, but he was here trying to intimidate me about the vote I made against Senator Malachai's motion today. When I told him his intimidation wouldn't work, that's when he moved to attack me. But Ani got here before he could hurt us," Padme said, as Threepio handed her Kimberly's bottle. Padme cradled her and the baby began drinking eagerly.
"I'm just glad I got here in time," he said, kissing her forehead.
"I don't know where he comes from, but he was insanely strong. He had pure brute strength and probably could have overpowered me had it not been for my powers," Anakin said.
"That's probably because he's not human," Qui-Gon said, as he rolled the man over. Padme gasped, seeing half of his face and chest were burned off after being hit with Anakin's power. But the sight wasn't very gruesome, for underneath the man's skin was masses of wires and mechanics.
"An android?" Anakin wondered in disbelief.
"So it appears," Obi-Wan replied.
"But where would Malachai get something like this? Hell, who even has the technology to make such a sophisticated android? The Neimodians produce droids and the Kaminoans produce clones," Anakin said.
"Who made it remains a mystery, but I think we should assume that Malachai isn't exactly at the top of the food chain," Qui-Gon replied.
"You think he's working for someone else? Do you think he's working for the Imperial Underground?" Anakin questioned.
"It's all too coincidental," Dooku mentioned.
"But I don't understand what would some lavish resort has to with all of this. Why do they want it so badly?" Padme asked.
"It's hard to say really without any evidence to go on. But I'm sure it will be front for criminal dealings. If the motion passes this time, we will have to keep an eye on the establishment," Qui-Gon said.
"There's nothing we can do to stop it from being built?" Anakin asked.
"Senator Malachai doesn't have a criminal record and I'm positive that any of the agents performing the scare tactics don't work for Malachai, and therefore can't be traced back to him. Legally, there is very little we can do if the motion goes through," Dooku said.
"But if it is built, it will be subject to heavy scrutiny by the Jedi," Qui-Gon said.
"We won't know more about this guy until we get him to Bant. And even then, I'm not sure how much she can tell us," Obi-Wan said.
"Oh no, I think Captain Typho might be hurt," Padme exclaimed, concern filling her eyes.
"Don't worry, darling. Ben and I will go find him," Qui-Gon said.
"I'll check on the twins. If Artoo followed instructions, he's still got them locked in their room," Anakin said. Dooku patted her shoulder and peered down at his tiny great granddaughter, as she slept peacefully in her mother's arms.
Anakin gave Artoo the okay to unlock the door and he peered in.
"Daddy, what's going on?" Leia asked.
"Yeah, Artoo locked us in," Luke added.
"Everything's fine now. Mommy and Kimberly are fine too," he said, as he kissed them both and tucked them back in. He reached out to them both with the Force and sent them soothing waves of comfort. He stayed with them for a few minutes until they were fast asleep.
"Good work, Artoo," Anakin said. The droid chirped softly in recognition, as Anakin quietly closed the door. When he returned, he saw Typho sitting on the sofa. Dorme was bandaging the gash on his forehead.
"I'm sorry Anakin. I couldn't stop that guy. He was really strong and my blaster bolts didn't do anything to him," Typho said, the disbelief evident in his voice.
"It's okay. He wasn't exactly human," Anakin replied.
"That's what your dad was telling me. Man, at least you could shoot the Clones. What if there's more of these things?" Typho said. It truly was an unsettling thought. After Palpatine's death, the Clones that had remained had been taken back to Kamino. They were reprogrammed and now served as a part of the Republic Navy, completely loyal to it as a whole, rather than to one person. But if there were more of these androids around, then it could mean they had a dire situation on their hands. He knew one thing for sure though. Senator Malachai would be getting a little visit form him tomorrow and it wouldn't be a pleasant one. After Typho was patched up, he and Dorme returned to the adjoining sublet apartment where they lived. Obi-wan, Qui-Gon and Dooku loaded the android into the Temple's Medical vehicle when it arrived. They bid goodnight to Anakin and Padme, as they returned home.
"Miss Padme, I took the liberty of fetching this out of the oven for you, but I do believe it is quite inedible now," Threepio said, as he held a dish of burn food, which had been Dewback fillets and Nabooan Wild Rice.
"Oh no, that was supposed to be our dinner," she said in exasperation.
"Don't worry about it. Let's put our tiny angel to bed. Then you get the wine and get comfortable, while I order in for us," he said.
"From Dex's?" she asked. He smiled.
"Where else?" he asked. She kissed his cheek.
"You can toss that Threepio," she said, as she took Kimberly to her room to put her down after her daddy had kissed her little head. She returned soon and went to the kitchen for the wine she was chilling in the refrigeration unit, while Anakin went to the comm to order dinner.
A half hour later, the delivery droid arrived with their order and they sat at their small, intimate table on the veranda, as they ate by candlelight and enjoyed their wine together. This was how they usually ate together on the occasions that Anakin had to stay late at the Temple.
"So, it sounds like you had quite the eventful day as well," she said, as she took a bite of her Chandrillan pasta.
"It was definitely not boring. I'll tell you one thing though. Machius Malachai is getting a visit from me tomorrow," he said.
"Ani..." she pleaded.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to punch him or anything like that. I'm just going to implement some "scare tactics" of my own," he smirked. She shook her head in amusement, as he cut off another piece of his Bantha steak. Padme ate silently, becoming lost in her thoughts. Anakin watched the pensive look on her face. He left her to her thoughts, as they finished eating and then decided to find out what was bothering her, though he had a pretty good idea.
"Angel, are you okay?" he asked, as they put their napkins on their plates.
"I'm fine...it's nothing," she said, with uncertainty. He looked at her skeptically, as Threepio cleared their dishes.
"If you don't mind, Master Ani, I'll shut down for the night after I tidy up the kitchen," Threepio said.
"That's fine, Threepio. Thanks," he replied, before turning his attention back to his wife.
"Padme...what is it?" he asked, as he stood up and took her hand, leading her to the railing of their veranda that gave them a spectacular view of Coruscant. She gazed up at him, as he towered over her. The moonlight cast its glow upon them and she admired his chiseled features. Coming from an abusive father and later an abusive boyfriend, Padme had rarely ever felt safe in her entire life. But all that had changed the night Anakin's piercing gaze had locked with her own that night in the dark alleyway in the lower levels where they met for the first time. Since then, she'd learned what it felt like to feel safe, not to mention loved so deeply it was beyond comprehension for most. She knew now that if anyone tried to hurt her, they would answer to him. She always felt safe in his arms, no matter how bleak a situation seemed. But then the occasional feelings of dread overwhelmed her at times. She worried about her husband, especially since he had so many enemies. He was extremely powerful, but still very much mortal.
"Padme...please tell me what troubles you," he pleaded. She looked up, seeing the love and concern shining in his eyes. She could never deny him anything.
"I was just wondering...if I was a fool to think it was all over. To think that it ended with Palpatine's death, because it seems like it is not over in the slightest," she said.
"And that is what worries me," she added.
"You know that I'll always come back to you," he promised.
"I know that you will do everything in your power to, but they want you dead. Their Empire cannot rise as long as you are standing in their way. You're powerful, but not invincible...and I'm so scared of losing you. I'm scared of facing life without you," she cried. He pulled her into his warm embrace and held her tightly.
"Listen...I'm not going anywhere. You will never be without me," he said, as he swiped her tear away with his thumb.
"Think about all we've been through thus far. There is nothing that we cannot overcome together. Our love is too strong. You believe that, don't you?" he asked.
"Of course I do. I guess tonight just got to me more than I would have liked it to. That thing that came after me tonight couldn't be killed with a blaster. What if...they're making ones that are stronger than you," she said, dread filling her voice.
"Well then, I'll just have to make sure I keep up with my training. But you know we can't dwell on the what ifs, lest we want to drive ourselves crazy," he replied. She nodded.
"I know," she said. He kissed her forehead.
"No more worries for tonight," he said, as he held her close, while they gazed at Coruscant's three moons. Padme turned her gaze back to meet her husband's. Their lips met in a tender kiss that soon turned passionate and grew in fury. Padme felt her body thrill, as her husband's strong hands touched her through her dress. She took his hand and gave him a sultry gaze, as she led him back inside. The lights went out in the apartment for the night, as the passion and desire between two soul mates was unleashed...