Chapter 3
Location: Galactic Confederation Base 1, Alderaan
Day 2 Month 1 14 BBY ( 5 years after the Rise of the Empire)
( Padme' Naberrie's POV)
I eye the older man in front of me- or rather the older version of a man I thought was dead. My eyes flicker to those blue orbs and I observe his appearance. His cold blue eyes dart between myself and the prick grunting on the floor. His once long blond hair is shorter, close to the length of his ears and it slightly curls behind them. His Rebellion uniform is unlike his former Jedi robes I remember him wearing all those years ago. But the Jedi are dead and gone- how had he survived?
Anakin Skywalker was supposedly listed as among the dead during the Order of 66. He was the Hero without Fear as most beings called him across the galaxy. He was a talented Jedi Knight whom I had met on several occasions. I was very young when I had first encountered Anakin Skywalker, a lone boy who had come to seek training from the Jedi. He had been around ten or so at the time. I was a mere girl of 5 , who was curious of the boy in my father's office. My father had introduced us and I had been intrigued by the boy's abilities to read others. That is the first memory I have of the boy who would become a famous Jedi Knight during the Clone Wars.
I did not see Anakin Skywalker again until he was a padawan under the tutelage of Obi-wan Kenobi. I remember I had become queen the year prior and at the age of 15, there had been an attempt on my life. A lone terrorist cell had ambushed my cruiser on its way to Courscant. I had gone to Courscant to oversee the trials of Nute Gunray whom had been responsible in the blockade on Naboo. I was there to support my Senator and former Queen Eirtaé Radmeed whom had liberated her people during the crisis of the blockade. At the time, it had not been public knowledge that I was the Chancellor's only daughter- that is until a Bounty Hunter took out my star cruiser and murdered several members of my staff. My father had pleaded with the Jedi to send forces to investigate the causes behind the attack. The Jedi had sent Anakin and his master to protect me and investigate the assassins. Little did I know, my father was behind everything- all to start a war between the Republic and the Separatists. The investigation had lead " proof" that the assassins had been linked to the Separatists and Count Dooku which ended in the first Battle of the Clone Wars. I however, did not witness too many events during this time- I was stuck on Naboo being protected by a certain young Jedi. A certain young Jedi who did not know of my true identity, or that I was alive...
Three years later, I had heard of his death on Mustafar. Or so I had thought. My father had told me personally of his death- but here he is- alive and well. My eyes cover every inch of his form as I intake the years apart. He has a scar that travels across his left eye. His right side of his face holds some scarring- probably from burns he sustained on Mustafar. My father had told me that he had fought against Count Dooku as a traitor to the newly formed Empire. Dooku had trapped him on a cliff-side and had taken his life- or so I thought.
His features do not hold any pleasures at the moment though. His expression is stone and his eyes express his dislike for fighting among the recruits. It's not if I could help it! The damn prick had threatened me. I had to stand my own ground.
Anakin's eyes dart between the two of us and his voice booms in demands, "What the hell happened?"
The brown-eyed prick grunts out, " The kid started it. He called me an asshole just because I told him I could kick his ass."
Anakin's hard gaze flickers to me and takes me in. He then observes the damage I have done to the man who claims I'm the one who started it. A small smirk attempts to flare onto his lips and then it is gone. He eyes me and then asks, " Is that what happened Cadet?"
I lick my lips and deepen my voice so that I do not sound like a young woman. " No Sir. He swung first. I was only defending myself."
Anakin's eyes dart back to the man in question who leans against two of his fellow recruits. He shakes his head and snaps out, "Either way, both of you have earned 5 demerits a piece. I will not tolerate fighting between my cadets."
I grit my teeth in aggravation as that bastard whom I've beat up has the nerve to smirk at me. I grip onto my fists and attempt at to calm myself down. Anakin notices my change in tone and eyes the bastard I've beaten up. He declares, " Come to think of it, perhaps 10 demerits for you, and five for –" He gestures towards me and eyes me carefully finishing his orders, " the kid."
The bastard frowns and begins to protest, " But sir-"
Anakin whirls on the brown eyed man and snaps out, " You follow orders solider, if you're going to make it in the next 12 weeks of training then you better shut your mouth."
I hold back the chuckling I want to throw out at the irony. Here I am under the Command of a former flame. When I think I can run from my past- there it comes to hit me in the face.
Ferus behind me does the chuckling for me. Anakin glares in his direction and barks out, "The rest of you are no better than them! Hit the mats now!"
His voice booms deeply into my skin and as he barks his orders the men around me begin to file past. My eyes watch them and I begin to head in the same direction when I am pulled back by a strong force of nature. My eyes glance in the direction of Anakin. He glares down at me and barks out, "What is your name Cadet?"
I keep my eyes on him as I reply, "Cadet Naberrie, sir."
He nods and almost as if there is some recognition that crosses his expression, and then it is gone. I exhale soft sigh, as I was unsure if he would recognize me in any sort of way. It has been six years since our last meeting, and as far as he knows " Padme'" the handmaiden died.
I attempt to walk towards the sparing rooms, but his hand stops me. I glare up at him and demand, "Sir you ordered us to hit the mats."
He grimaces down at me and announces, "Not for you. I think you've done your far sharing of sparring today, Naberrie. You can clean every latrine in the Base today, got it?"
I know my glare burns into his eyes as he forces me to move forward. I mumble curses under my breath as he leads me towards what probably will be known as the janitor's closet.
To Be Continued…