Anakin glanced at the Falcon's comlink as it blinked for attention. He turned on the comlink as Ahsoka's signal came through. He glanced at Luke as he took the Falcon's engines off standby. "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Luke answered honestly as Anakin lifted the Falcon off the deck of the Executor.
"General Skywalker to Captain Piett, we have the go," Anakin gave the signal. "Lower the shields."
"Copy General, you're cleared for immediate departure," Piett answered as the shields lowered allowing Anakin to take the Falcon off the Destroyer. Anakin pushed the freighter towards their entrance point as he punched in their hyperspace vector.
"I'm going to make my drop coming out of hyperspace as close to the Death Star as I can get," Anakin said with a small grin, Luke looked shocked. Maybe he didn't realize how crazy and bold my plans were. "We'll be so close, we'll slip in before they even realize we're there."
"Executor to Falcon, we'll be right behind you," Piett's voice came over the comlink. Anakin watched the radar as the war ships lined up behind him as several X-wings left the hangar bays. He noticed one fighter was weaving in and out between the groups most likely taking a head count.
"On my signal, Falcon," Ackbar spoke as Anakin reached for the hyperspace lever. He glanced down and watched as the light on the Falcon lit up.
"Copy Home One," Anakin acknowledged as he pulled the hyperspace lever down. The dots turned into lines as the Falcon entered hyperspace. The jump was for five minutes. He glanced at Luke who was busy having Artoo fine tune a few things. It was a good thing the droid knew the Falcon. "No matter what happens. I love you."
"I love you, father," Luke returned as he placed his arm on Anakin's forearm. "I have a feeling we'll be all right."
"Me too," Anakin agreed as he counted down their time left in the jump. There was one last inquisitor that Palpaitne may have thrown into the mix. He barely had time to work with her before his run in with Leia two months ago. Has it been two months already? If Palpatine used Tahilia, he can see Ahsoka quickly putting the woman into her place. Ahsoka wouldn't mess around unless there was time. But there wasn't. There was a long repeating beep causing him to look down. It was time to pull the Falcon out of hyperspace.
Anakin reached up and pulled down on the hyperspace lever. The Falcon dropped out almost on top of the Death Star. It was good thing the shield was down otherwise the Falcon would've been fried as soon as they dropped out of hyperspace.
Anakin aimed for the opening as he noticed the other ships dropping out of hyperspace at a safer distance. He slipped into the Death Star locking onto the strongest power supply which would lead him directly to the power core.
Thrawn stood on the bridge as alarms blared on the ship. He looked towards the radar officer as Captain Pellaeon barked out orders. "Captain?"
"We're under attack, Admiral," Pellaeon answered in a clipped tone. "Several Rebel war ships have exited out of hyperspace. What are your orders?"
"Admiral, the shield barrier for the Death Star is down," an officer yelled out causing Thrawn to frown. This was very impressive timing on their part.
"Can the shield be repaired?" Thrawn questioned as the officer shook his head.
"Negative Admiral. We have reports coming in from the ground troopers they had apprehended Princess Organa and General Solo and his team before Master Tano appeared a minute later activating the bombs. The bunker and generator has been destroyed. Should we evacuate the Death Star?" The officer explained with a frown.
"Admiral, sensors are picking up readings of a ship inside the Death Star. Size and readings indicate it's the Falcon," the radar officer reported.
"Impressive timing," Thrawn said with a frown as he turned his attention to Piett. "Send in TIES to take out the Falcon, immediately."
"Already done," a minute later Pellaeon gave a new report. "Admiral. Reports are coming in that two squads of X-wings are now guarding the entrance the Falcon has been believed to enter in from," he reported with a frown. "It appears this is a well-organized attack."
"Issue an order to evacuate the Death Star. Make sure Emperor Palpatine does not refuse," Thrawn ordered as Pellaeon nodded in agreement.
"Yes Admiral," Pellaeon acknowledged.
Thrawn turned his attention to the battle raging around him. It appears that Skywalker was far smarter then he gave the man credit for. Maybe it was time to study art from Tatooine. He heard a rumor as of late that is where Anakin Skywalker was from. Skywalker's planning was a match for his own. He always loved a challenge.
"Admiral, the Emperor has been evacuated from the Death Star," Pellaeon reported as he turned to a communication officer. "Readings off the Death Star indicate the power core is now unstable."
"Sir, we're picking up chatter on the Rebels channels. They've been ordered to move the fleet away from the Death Star," the officer shouted across the bridge.
"Move the fleet to the far side of Endor and prepare to retreat," Thrawn commanded. "They may have won this fight. But it does not win the war."
"Yes Admiral," the officer relayed the message as Thrawn turned his attention to the Pellaeon. "Captain, prepare the fleet to head for Bakura."
"Why Bakrua sir?" Pellaeon questioned in confusion.
"I believe the Emperor has made a deal with a species called the Ssi-Ruuk. After studying the species. I believe Palpatine has put the entire galaxy at risk and they will not stop with the supplied soldiers that was promised for fighters. I do believe they're in it for galaxy dominance. It will make the last twenty years look like a bar brawl," Thrawn explained as Pellaeon's face grew pale. He turned his attention to the giant window as the Falcon made a mad dash from the Death Star as flames were shooting out from behind the ship. A minute later the Death Star turned into a giant ball of flames. "We're done here, Captain. Prepare the Chimera for hyperspace."
"Yes Admiral," Captain Pellaeon answered as Thrawn watched the ship jump into hyperspace. He knew he was breaking the rules, at the moment keeping the Galaxy safe was more important than some deal Palpatine made.
Anakin landed the Falcon on the metal deck of Home One. He spotted Padme waiting not too far from the entrance of the hangar bay. He turned his attention to Luke with a weary smile. "Well, that was fun. Do you think Han will notice the Communication disk is gone?"
"He'll notice," Luke answered with a grimace. "It was a pretty tight spot and couldn't be helped. We can always search junk yards until we find a new one to replace it with."
"That's the plan," Anakin agreed as they headed towards the back of the freighter. "Now I know why he likes this ship so much. It has some real power in the engines," Luke gave a small smile as he reached over and hit the button to lower the ramp.
Anakin took the necklace out of his belt as he heard someone rush up the ramp. He held the necklace out as Padme nearly rushed into his arms. He took Padme's hand into his own. He clasped her hands closed over the piece of jewelry. "I told you I would come back."
"I never had any doubt," Padme accepted the necklace and placed it around her neck. She tucked the ring and snippet under her shirt. "What happened to the Falcon?"
"The ship is in one piece for the most part," Anakin answered. "There was one spot where it barely fit in the space. It was a really tight spot attempting to get to the power core. I'll have to replace it that's all. It could've been worse."
"I have some news, if you're ready we can move your memories into the clone. It arrived just before Home One left for Endor," Padme gave a smile as Anakin felt shocked.
Was it really that time? To be free of the armor and being able to hold Padme in his arms again. He was more than ready pending everything went according to plan. The fate of his memories rested in the hands of Fress and Ahsoka. "That's great news," Anakin finally responded as they walked down the ramp. "I'm looking forward to it."
"Me too," Padme agreed as she leaned into Anakin as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Ani, the sooner the better. This armor is not comfortable to lean against."
"I know, sweetheart, I know."
Fress leaned over Anakin as he watched her with apprehension in his eyes. She knew he was worried about this part of the procedure. If she and Ahsoka got this wrong, they would lose Anakin for good. She turned her attention to Ahsoka where she was finishing explaining to the medic how this part of the procedure was going to work. Padme, Luke, and Leia had agreed to wait outside the room so there would be no distractions. "Are you ready, Anakin?"
"I am," Anakin answered with a weary. "Do me a favor, if this goes wrong. Look after my family for me?"
"I will Anakin," Fress promised as she took his hand into hers. "You'll be fine," she reassured him with a weary smile as he closed his eyes as the sedative had taken affect. She turned her attention to Ahsoka as her friend walked over and took Fress's hand into her own. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Ahsoka answered honestly as she closed her eyes. Fress closed her eyes connecting her mind up with Ahsoka's as they entered Anakin's mind. With him being unconscious it prevented Anakin from building walls and preventing them from entering his mind.
The process took an hour and by the end of the hour both Fress and Ahsoka were bordering on exhaustion. Fress opened her eyes and looked at Ahsoka as she learned over Anakin's body as Ahsoka looked at her with a frown.
"Time to wake him up and see if it worked," Ahsoka commented in a weary tone. They did everything Master Yoda trained them to do. Anakin's mind should be fully intact in the clone if it worked. They knew it was possible. Palpatine had done it more than a few times himself. They discovered this fact shortly after the Jedi were executed.
"Right," Fress noticed the body was no longer functioning as she turned her attention to the medic who was now in the process of helping the clone out of the tube. She approached Anakin and grabbed his arm as she helped the medic walk over to a table and laid him down. "Anakin, can you hear me?"
"He won't wake up for an hour," the medic explained as he laid a blanket over Anakin. "It's part of the process. We'll come and get you when he wakes up."
Fress walked out the door along with Ahsoka as Padme gave them a questioning glance. "We'll know in an hour after he wakes up," she explained with a frown. "Ahsoka and I did everything Yoda taught us, it's just a matter of time now."
"Thank you both for trying, I really appreciate it," Padme said with a weary smile. She stood up and walked to the room. "I want to be there when he wakes up."
"All right, just you and no one else," the medic agreed as Padme disappeared into the room.
Fress sat down in one of the chairs and learned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. That took a lot of her energy from her. Sleep was begging to take over as she felt herself slowly drift off.
Padme approached Anakin's body as she placed her hand onto his cheek noting how cold and still he felt. She prayed to whoever might be listening that everything went well. Anakin was her best friend and if she lost him just after getting him back, it would crush her.
"Mrs. Skywalker," the medic spoke softly. "Your husband is over here. He should be waking up any time now. His brain waves are normal, everything appears to be normal so far."
"Right," Padme looked towards the clone as she approached the bed. She placed her hand on the clone's cheek noting it felt warmer than Anakin's body did. She took a deep breath and slowly released it as she sat down in the chair beside the bed and took his hand into her own. "Ani, can you hear me?"
"Hmmm?" Anakin mumbled sleepily as she rested her hand against his forehead. "Not now mom, I need five more minutes."
"Anakin, wake up, you can breathe now," Padme persisted a little more and was worried about his response. He was still more than half asleep.
"Need a breath mask to live," Anakin argued as Padme smiled a bit. If he was remembering that, she had hope he would remember all of it.
"Ani, it's okay to breathe now," Padme whispered as his eyes opened a bit as he turned his head in her direction. "How much do you remember?"
Anakin slowly sat up and looked over at his old worn out body. He shook his head sadly as he turned his attention back to Padme. "Was I smoking spice or a death stick?" He questioned as he raised a hand and cupped Padme's chin. "The last twenty years seemed like a nightmare and you're a sight for sore eyes."
"You didn't answer my question," Padme pointed out with a small smile as Anakin smiled in turn.
"Do I need too?" Anakin questioned as Padme nodded. "Or I could show you," he leaned over and kissed her on the lips just the way she liked Anakin to do. She deepened the kiss in turn as she heard him give a satisfied groan. He pulled away looking into her eyes. "How much more convincing do you need?"
"How far are you willing to go?" Padme questioned with a smile.
"How about trying to make up for twenty years of abstinence?" Anakin questioned with a mischief smirk. "Wouldn't hurt to try."
"I'll get the leather outfit," Padme gave a mischief smile as Anakin gave an appreciative smile.
"I'll get the berries and cream," Anakin smirked as he stood up on shaky legs. "Maybe after I get used to walking again without the armor."
"You remember all of it?" Padme questioned again as Anakin nodded. "I'm relieved it worked. Luke and Leia are waiting outside," the medic handed Anakin some clothing to change into as he started asking a bunch of questions.
"Anakin, what is two plus two?" The medic questioned as Anakin started pulling the clothes on.
"Four," Anakin answered without much thought.
"Who was your master during the clone wars?" The medic questioned as Anakin glanced up with a frown.
"Is this really necessary?" Anakin questioned in a pained tone.
"Yes, now answer the question," the medic answered firmly.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi," Anakin answered with regret in his tone. "I can't believe I killed him."
"What are the names of your children?" The medic questioned.
"Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa," Anakin answered easily as the medic smiled.
"Where did you and Padme get married?" The medic questioned.
"On the terrace bay at the Lake house on Naboo," Anakin answered with a soft smile. "The sky was beautiful when we kissed."
"You remembered," Padme gave a warm smile.
"Who is running the Empire and what role did you play?" The medic continued to question.
"I was the right hand man to Sheev Palpatine who is now a walking dead man as soon as I get my hands wrapped around his neck and run him through with my lightsaber," Anakin answered as he hardened his expression. "He lied to me about my family being dead."
"What was the last thing you remember before falling asleep?" The medic questioned as he quickly changed the subject.
"Fress told me I will be fine," Anakin answered with a smile. "And she was right."
"I'm done, it appears Anakin's mind is fully intact. I'll go and let your children in," the medic said as he walked out of the room leaving Padme and Anakin alone.
Anakin lay down on the bed and patted the space beside him. Padme lay down against his body as he pulled her into his arms. "Want to start our makeup session now?'
"How about no," Leia answered before Padme had a chance to respond. "Dad, we're needed in the war room."
"What's going on?" Padme questioned as she sat up in bed as she looked around the room. "Where is Luke?"
"Wedge had intercepted a message and Luke had to go and rescue him," Leia answered with a frown as Padme raised an eyebrow. "Whoever sent the message spent quite a few credits on it. They're in the process of breaking the code to find out who sent it and why."
Anakin and Padme looked at each other with concerned expressions as she helped Anakin stand. He seemed a little shaky on his legs, considering this is the first time the clone walked. She had a feeling he would be in for a bit of recovery.
To be continued in Silver Lining: Sequel to Unexpected circumstances. This is getting a little long and I still haven't gotten to the part of taking out Palpatine and over taking Coruscant. I hope you enjoyed reading unexpected circumstances Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the sequel too :)