a.n. well, here's the next chapter. sorry it took me some time to post, but i have been extremely busy the last 2 weeks or so with school. it's midterm time and i have been busy with those. i also think i have recently come down with something, as i feel kinda sick. anyways, this chapter is kinda short. i could have cut it off and made 2 chapters, but thought it would've been too short, so it's one chapter. enjoy, read, and review.

Chapter 8: So It Begins

As daybreak loomed over the vast city-planet, citizens were already busily continuing with their lives. Speeders buzzed in and out of traffic lanes, which were already becoming crowded with a multitude of rushing vehicles. The sky was filled with the hum of lively noise as the inhabitants hustled through the large crowds. Speeders and taxis dropped occupants off in various locations throughout the capital planet. The ever-busy spaceport witnessed the arrival and departure of thousands of ships daily and it was filled with buzz and activity, even at this relatively early hour.

Not far from the bustling spaceport, a sleek, silver ship descended through the atmosphere. Nubian in design and flanked by security escorts, the nimble craft radiated elegance, grace, and beauty. It was a ship fit for a queen, in this case former queen and now Nabooan Senater Padmé Naberrié Amidala.

Arriving at the ever-pulsating heart of the galaxy, the swift ship descended rapidly and approached a large, private landing platform, one that was reserved for the highly-esteemed Senator. The ship slowly settled onto the ground, with the escorts silently landing, creating a secure perimeter around the large vessel. Two figures from the escort fighters walked towards the lowering boarding ramp, which was quickly becoming crowded with a number of people, the Senator's entourage. As the two security personnel approached, an explosion rocked the platform, throwing everyone to the ground. The Nubian vessel was quickly engulfed in a large fireball, taking with it all those on the boarding ramp. Cries rang out and one of those dressed in a security uniform cried out as well, rushing over to the ship. Once at the bottom of the ramp, a helmet was tossed quickly aside to reveal, not a member of the Senator's security team, but the long chestnut hair and dark brown eyes of Senator Amidala herself. Saddened by the death of her friend and decoy Cordé, it took some prodding from Captain Typho, head of the Senator's security team, to pry her away from her friend's side. Reluctantly, the Senator allowed herself to be ushered away from the scene, deeply grieved by the loss of her friend.

Not far from the disaster on the landing platform, a young man was suddenly awakened by strong vibrations in the Force. He sat up in bed, breathing somewhat heavily as he was pulled from sleep by a strange feeling. He got up and padded quietly to the window to calm his nerves. Glancing out at the Courscanti skyline, he caught a glimpse of smoke somewhere nearby, coming from the direction of the Senatorial landing platforms. A look of confusion marred his features before it quickly vanished in a moment of realization.

"So, the time has come," Luca whispered quietly to himself as he shook his head. He returned his gaze to the smoke in the distance, feeling the pain of the lives lost in that terrible explosion. He knew it was time for his arduous task to begin; he could feel it in the ripples of the Force. It was time for him to complete his duty, to alter things in the past in hopes of changing the future.

A steady beeping from across the room drew him out of his melancholy musings and he turned his attention toward the small com station at the other end of the room. Someone was trying to reach him; for what, he didn't know, but he knew he had to answer it. He slowly made his way over to the station and set about answering the call.

A small, holoimage of Master Yoda appeared before him. He respectfully bowed to the wise Master, knowing that Yoda had contacted him because of the events that had occurred. He knew that the ancient Jedi could feel it in the Force that the time had come for him to do what he was sent here to do.

"Master Yoda," Luca respectfully greeted.

"Young Redenov," Yoda returned, bowing his head, "a disturbance in the Force, felt it have you?"

"I have, Master."

"Come, your time has. Begin your task, soon you will."

"Yes Master. I know the time has come for my journey to begin. I am ready to do whatever the Force asks of me."

"Good. Prepared, you must be. Difficult it will be, for you to accomplish all you need to. Help you, I will, when I must. But ultimately, your path, this is, and walk it alone you must."

"I understand, Master, and I vow to do my best to fix everything so the past as I knew it will not come to pass. I will not allow that to happen again."

"Very good. Now, young Redenov, something to ask of you, I have." Yoda looked at Luca, noting the determined expression written on the young man's face. "Know you do, that Senator Amidala's cruiser was the site of that explosion, hmmm?" At Luca's sad nod, Yoda continued. "To the Chancellor's office, the Council will go, to determine the next course of action that we must take to ensure the Senator's safety. Meet us there, you will. Concern you, I feel this will and need you there, we do, for your opinion. Hear me, do you?"

Luca nodded slowly at Yoda's query. He knew that he would be an integral part of the coming meeting, especially if everything would play out as it had before and his past self would be assigned to protect the Senator. He was nervous at the prospect of facing Padmé again, after the pain his actions had caused her so many years ago. He didn't know if he would be able to stand in her presence again after so many years not being around her. But Padmé, he knew, wouldn't be his only problem. He shivered at the thought of having to face the man that would soon declare himself Emperor, the man that would take away over twenty years of his life in his service, the man that he would slaughter Jedi for, the man who had killed Anakin Skywalker and birthed Darth Vader.

Luca knew that by being sent back in time, he would have to face Palpatine sooner or later. He was hoping he would never have to see that vile man ever again, but it was not to be. The Chancellor, soon-to-be Emperor, was a key player in the atrocities of the past, he knew, and it was inevitable that he would have to face his former Master. He vowed to himself that he would prevent his past self from ever falling into the clutches of that evil man and that he would make sure everything would turn out for the better.

"I understand, Master Yoda. I will meet you at the Chancellor's office shortly. I wish you luck and may the Force be with you."

Yoda watched the young man before him. He knew that something about this meeting was troubling the young man, but he didn't know what. He hoped that whatever it was that was bothering him, Luca would be able to overcome it and fulfill his purpose.

"To you as well, young Luca. See you soon I will." With that, Yoda's image disappeared and Luca sat staring at the comm station before him. He contemplated his next move and what he would have to do. Regretfully, he got up and started preparing for his meeting with the Chancellor, hoping that it would go by without any problems. Though he knew it would probably be far from it.