The Jedi Strike Back Chapter 4
I closed the door as I stepped out of the hidden room. I turned right and walked down the small corridor down to where I could sense all the other beings on the ship. I stopped outside the door that led into the room of all the others and tried to steady my palms. I shouldn't be this nervous I thought to myself. "It's okay. You are one of the best Jedi Knights and one of the greatest generals in the Clone Wars. You have nothing to be afraid of," I mumbled to myself. Who was I trying to fool, I would much rather face entire battalions single handedly than see my children that I've never seen after almost twenty years away from them. What if they resent me for that. Damn it! Padmé always was better at handling other people. This shouldn't be so hard, I know, I'll do this like everything else. Improvise as I go, that's never failed me in the past. With that thought he opened the door and stepped into the room.
He was greeted to the sight of three people he didn't recognize, Obi-Wan, and a Wookie. They all stopped whatever they were doing and looked at me. "Uh... Hi," I said. Yeah, this was a bad idea.
"Ah! You're here, took you long enough. Lucky for you there's still some Correllian Rum for you. Come have a drink with me," he said. With small nod of thanks to him I walked over to him and took one of the seats near him as he poured me a glass.
"Thanks," I said. I raised the glass to my lips and discreetly looked over at the others staring at me. Shit! Now what? I thought. "Ah! How rude of me. My name is Anakin, I thank you for saving me from..." I stopped, forgetting the name of the imperial station.
"The Death Star," Obi-Wan supplied.
"Yeah, that. So who are the rest of you?" I asked.
After a few moments of hesitation, the young woman stood up, and with obvious signs of a diplomat, stated, "Sorry, my name is Leia Organa. The former representative of Alderaan. It's a pleasure to meet one of Master Kenobi's old friends." In that moment I mentally replaced her with a younger looking version of Padmé, along with the painful reminder of her death.
With a strained smile, I nodded in acknowledgement. "Nice to meet you as well."
The other three seemed more than unwilling to share their names. Obi-Wan seemed to notice this as well and let out a sigh. "The one with blonde hair is Luke. Luke Skywalker," he said, enunciated. So that's my son. I wonder if the other man is as well, or if the other one is even here. "The man next to him is a smuggler I hired to help me and Luke to get off of Tatooine named Han Solo," well there went thinking he was my son, "and the Wookie here is Mr. Solo's partner, Chewbacca." The Wookie made a sound of agreement at this.
"If it's not too much trouble, could one of you tell me what all has happened since the fall of the republic? Obi-Wan gave me a brief summary but I would like to know more." I asked.
Unsurprisingly, it was Leia who decided to help him out. "Of course Master Jedi, I would be honored to help you."
"Umm... It's Knight actually," I corrected while looking down a bit in shame.
"What?"
"I'm a Jedi Knight, not a Master," I elaborated.
"What's the difference?" Han asked.
I exchanged a brief look with Obi-Wan, silently pleading for him to answer the question. "You see," he began, "a Jedi Knight is a Padawan who had completed their training and passed a test to be fully accepted as a member of the Order. A Master on the other hand, is a Knight who has proven to be exceptionally stronger than others and leads Younglings and Padawans in the ways of the Jefi. In order to become a Master however, the Council must have a majority vote with those unbiased towards the Knight and debate if they are worthy of the title Master," he explained.
"So he isn,t anything special. Just an average Jedi." Han concluded.
"Actually, the Anakin has the power of a Jedi Master, if not a Grand Master, the Council decided that he was just too inexperienced." Obi-Wan informed him. I was practically beaming at my former Master's words. "Also, I finished making your lightsaber Luke. So could I have the one I let you borrow earlier back?" he asked Luke as he pulled a lightsaber from his robes.
"Oh!" Luke shoutedshouted, " Sure. Here you go," he responded as he handed Obi-Wan the unclipped lightsaber from his belt.
After they switched their respective weapons the Obi-Wan turned to me and handed it to me. "Try not to lose it again Anakin. I had thought you had broken that habit."
I stared at him in shock as I took my weapon. "Where did you get this!? Palpatine's apprentice had taken it from me!?" I asked him.
"Darth Miran is what he goes by, and he did have it. I believe it was a few years after the fall of the republic that the Jedi purges began."
"Jedi purges?" I asked.
"Leia can tell you about that later but just shut up and listen for now. Now as I was saying it was shortly after the purges began that Darth Miran had chased me down on Naboo and he had your lightsaber upon his belt. I'll admit I was a bit shocked to see him have it but I knew you would need it once I found you. Long story short, I escaped with it and have hid it since."
A small silence fell over us as the story ended rsther anticlimacticly. "Now I believe would be a good time to properly introduce you to Luke and Leia here, Anakin," he said to me. But before I could even respond he began talking once again. "Luke, Leia," he said to them, looking at each of them respectively, "This is Anakin Skywalker, you're father."
(Normal POV)
To say that everyone was surprised was like saying that a rancor was a bit big. In other words a massive understatement. The only two that weren't surprised were Obi-Wan and, surprisingly, Chewbacca. Though it was hard to tell with the Wookie. "He's my father!?" shouted both Luke and Leia.
"He truly is my father?" Luke asked. Obi-Wan nodded confirmation with a smile playing on his lips.
"But Leia said her surname is Organa!?" Anakin exclaimed. "How does that make sence?" Obi-Wan hesitated at answering this.
"Does this mean that the brat is a prince and he is a king?" Han asked more to himself than anyone else.
"My parents were Bail and Breha Organa! How can you say that they were not!?" Leia shoted heatedly.
Obi-Wan let out a tired sigh at those questions. "When Padmé died giving birth to the twins I did not know what to do. You were missing Anakin, Padmé was dead, most of the Jedi were killed, and the entire galaxy was in chaos. I didn't know the first thing about raising children so I took Leia to Senator Organa since I knew he would be more than willing to take you in and treat you as his own. I told him to never let you know the truth Leia so don't blame him," he said facing her. After seeing her curtly nod her head, he picked his story back up, "I then went to Tatooine and gave Owen Luke to take care of."
"Owen? Owen Lars? My step brother?"
"The veey same. I allowed him and his wife to tell Luke some vague truths, but nothing specific to identify you with."
"Why would you let him know some but not me?" Leia quietly asked.
"Because I was thereto help protect him. Knowledge is power, and very dangerous in the hands of children. I wanted no risk in the Empire discovering who you really were. So I had an entire army protecting you while I watched over Luke in between my searches for Anakin."
"But why would you keep them seperatex?" Han asked. "Wouldn't it be safer to look after them both together?"
"In case you hadn't already noticed, Luke bears a remarkable resemblance to Anakin while Leia is the perfect copy Padmé. If the two stayed together then sombody would have eventually noticed and the truth would have been revealed." A palpable tension fell upon the room assilience insued.
"Luke hesitantly looked towards Anakin and said, "Uncle Owen always told me that you were a great pilot and a war hero. Is that true?" he asked.
Anakin stared at him for a moment, unsure of why he was being asked that. Deciding there was no harm in answering, he said, "I was one of the best pilots actually, and I guess I helped out a good deal during the war. Though more as a Jedi general than a pilot. But I do take pride in my exceptional flyighing skills."
A low beeping was then heard in the room. Han and Chewbacca both raced to the cockpit while Han shouted back, "Prepare yourselves, we're about to exit out of hyper space and entering the Yavin 4 sytem." Leia look relieved and finally relaxed knowing she was about to enter friendly territoty.
(Yavin 4)
A man with a cloak surrounding his body was walking swiftly through the corridors on the rebel base. He strode with confidence and purpose as he headed towards his destination. He had to get to his master as soon as possible, he overheard a comm. message between agent Organa and the soldier stationed there. Normally he wouldn't have taken an interest in it but not only does his master have an unusual interest in Organa, but she mentioned a name his master would mention every now and again with the utmost respect. He finally reached what he had dubbed, "The Meditation Room".
He knocked on the door and called out, "Master? I overheard something that might interest you, it involves agent Organa."
"Enter, and how many times have I told you to call her Leia. You two are friends aren't you?"
"We are... but didn't you tell me that Jedi weren't supposed to form attachments?" he asked as he entered the room. Like most rooms on the base, the walls were a dull grsy color. The only thing thst made it different from the other ones was that there were a few cushions on the floor. Which was where his master was sitting on. Said master was facing away from him and with a light gray cloak covering their body.
"We weren't, no. But my master and I never really cared much for that rule. It just seemed lile a waste of time for the Jedi to serve the people yet seem indifferent towards them. You can choose whether or not to follow that rule. Now what was it you needed to tell me? I assume that the princess is safe if she managed to make contact with us."
"Yes, she is. She was rescued by Master Kenobi and some allies of his."
"Obi-Wan!?" the meditating figure asked. The Master finally stood up and turned to face him, revealing a Togruta woman with two light sabers strapped to her waist and. "So Obi-Wan is coming with someone named Skywalker?" she asked him.
"Yes, that is what I heard," he answered.
What the hell is he thinking!? She thought. Why would he bring Luke here? "Then we should greet him ourselves. When will they arrive?"
"I believe in a few minutes actually Master."
"What!? Then we have to go now! Why didn't you say so sooner!?"
"Who hadn't asked, and since when do you get all snippy?" he asked sheepishly.
"Sorry, let's just go get them Galen," she said as she made her way towards the door.
Galen and his Master made their way to the main hangar where they learned Obi-Wan would be landing. When they arrived they saw a dozen soldiers preparing a blockade with some already in defensive positions. "What is going on here!?" she demanded. All of the soldiers were surprised to see her there. Finally one of the soldiers, a captain by rank, came over to her.
"Earlier today we received a transmission from Princess Organa."
"I know, and it is because of those that helped rescue her I am here to greet them. So why is there an entire squad stationed here getting ready for battle?" she asked coldly.
The captain, now a bit nervous, said, "When we received the transmission, she also told us that one of the people on board is an unknown asset and would like a squad here to take them into custody should the need arise."
With a sigh, she said, "Captain, I know most all on that ship and I can assure you, one of them would never endanger agent Organa."
The captain looked hesitant before he turned back towards his men. "Stand down men, General's orders!" he shouted to them. All of them looked over in surprise before moving to take down all of the barriers they had set up.
Suddenly the intercom came on and they all heard, "Attention, all people in the hangar. A ship is preparing to land. Please remove yourselves from any empty landing platforms." No sooner after the announcement ended, the hangar doors opened. A Corellian YT-1300 light freighter entered the hangar and began to land. Ahsoka and Galen walked forward to where the freighter had landed. The walkway opened up to reveal an old man coming out.
When the person spotted the two of them he shouted out, "Ah! There you two are! It's been far to long. How have the two of you been?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We have been well Master Kenobi," Galen answered.
With a smile he turned to face Ahsoka. "I did it, Ahsoka. I finally did it," he told her.
"Did wha-?" she began before seeing another person come out and head after Obi-Wan. "O-obi-Wan... I-is that?" she asked while looking at the approaching man.
"Who?" he asked while turning around. "Ah! There you are. Come on and hurry over here, I would like you to meet someone," he called out to the man.
Galen, sensing his master's disbelief and discomfort, stepped forward and placed a hand upon his light saber. "Who are you, what is your relation to Master Kenobi?" he interrogated. Anakin merely stopped and looked at the boy in clear disbelief. He suddenly burst out in laughter which only seemed to agitate Galen. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"Hmm... Oh, just that you're trying to intimidate me," he answered before raising his hand and pulling Galen's light saber to him. Activating it, a green light shot out and Anakin gave it a few test swings. "Not bad, decently balanced, but I think you calibrated the blade to go to far out for someone of your height," he said while deactivating the weapon and handing it back to him. Then he caught a look at Ahsoka, "Oh! Master Shaak Ti! I didn't know you survived as well." he said pleasantly.
Ahsoka merely looked offended. "Master! It's me! Ahsoka!" she shouted happily while running over and giving him a hug.
"Snips!? You, you've grown. You're now almost as tall as me."
Galen looked on in confusion, "Master? Do you know him?"
"Yes Galen, this is my master when I myself was a Padawan. Galen, meet Anakin Skywalker. Anakin, meet Galen Marek, my own Padawan."
"Nice to meet you Galen. I never would have thought Ahsoka here would take on a Padawan," Anakin said, sticking out his hand.
With some reluctance, Galen took Anakin's hand and shook it before looking back to his master. "Master, is this the Anakin Skywalker you told me about?" he asked not quite believing it.
"Of course. There is no other quite like Sky Guy here."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Anakin said.
"I wouldn't call that to much of a compliment Anakin," Obi-Wan said.
Suddenly, Leia appeared with two droids behind her, "General Tano, I believe I have some important data that may be useful. It should be seen by the council as soon as possible." She told the Jedi.
Ahsoka turned serious at that and turned to face her. "Where is the data?" she questioned.
"I stored it within this astromech droid for safe keeping," she answered.
"R2?" Anakin asked. "Is that you little buddy?" The astromech droid gave a series of beeps and whoops in response. "Haha! It's good to see you're still out and about. Wait, and is that 3-PO behind you?"
"I'm sorry, have we met before?" the golden droid asked. Anakin was taken aback by this. 3PO didn't know him? He recognized him the last time he was away for a long time. He turned to Obi-Wan for answers.
"C-3PO here was taken by imperial legions a few years back. We're not really sure why they did so but they replaced his memory drive," he explained.
Anakin just let out a sigh of disbelief as he combed his hand through his hair. "Things really have changed."
Ahsoka looked back to Leia, "Then let us meet in the debriefing room in 20 minutes. Obi-Wan and I need to have a talk about the two Skywalkers here." She said gesturing to Anakin and Luke, who had walked up on them a moment ago.
"You giving me orders now Snips?" Anakin asked teasingly.
"Yes. I am. You've been gone for almost twenty years now. Let those you have more experience in this take charge," she said sobering up the mood. With that said she turned around and left back through the door she originally came from followed by 3-PO, Obi-Wan, and Galen. Anakin looked at R2, Luke, and Leia.
"So where are the smugglers?" he asked.
"They're talking to some of the Rebellion's interrogation officers about whether he will reveal the base's location or not so he can leave as soon as possible," Leia said. Anakin wasn't sure but she sounded a tad bit crestfallen about that.
"He's not going to stay!?" Luke asked incredulously.
"Why would he? He has no reason to stay or allegiances with the alliance," she snapped back.
"Okay that's enough you two. How about we go get to know each other better over something to eat?" Anakin suggested. Luke seemed to love that idea but Leia seemed a bit disgruntled at it.
"Alright, follow me. I'll take us to the mess hall," she said after a moment of thinking. She then left swiftly through one of the doors in the hangar with the two men hurrying to catch up.