Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 31! Thanks for all the great reviews. So sorry for the delay in getting this chapter done. The holiday months were crazy and left little time for writing. Now that things are back to normal, hopefully I'll be able to update more regularly.
Six months have passed since the events in chapter 28. Hunter and Blake have been with Anakin and Padme now for a year.
Notes and thanks to reviewers:
Force Jumper
Chapter 31: Shocking Revelations
Obi-Wan stared at the small, encrypted data chip that was no bigger than an insect. He had found it just days ago while researching Tahl's missions during his time in the Archives. He knew it was something his Master meant for him to find, because it was so well hidden in the scrolls of information that it had been the light from his humming river stone that had allowed him to see it. He was intrigued, but this feeling soon morphed back into frustration, as every pass code he tried on the encryption had been rejected.
"Blast it Master...what were you so intent on keeping hidden?" Obi-Wan wondered, as he stared at the screen in his starfighter. He had just finished yet another mission and Ahsoka had already headed back inside the Temple. They were on leave again and he was determined to crack the encryption this time. Thinking for a moment, he turned to the river stone. His Master had never told him much about it, other than the unique properties it had possessed and that he had found it on the very planet that Obi-Wan had been born on. That's when it struck him.
"Stewjon," he said, as he inputted the code. Relief washed over his face, as the screen flushed with green and access was granted to him. Relief quickly turned to awe, as a hologram of his long dead Master appeared before him.
"Greetings, my padawan. If you have found this most sensitive message, then many things I feared have most likely occurred. However, if you are anywhere near the Jedi Temple, you must not continue to play this transmission until you are completely alone and on a private transmission line,"
Obi-Wan paused the hologram and lowered the glass dome of his ship.
"Arfour, take me up and orbit Coruscant. Block out all outgoing and incoming transmission lines," Obi-Wan ordered. His droid did as he asked and soon, Obi-Wan was slowly hovered above the capital planet with nothing but stars around him. He switched the transmission to the private interior channel and played it again.
"I know you must be very curious by all my charades, but what you are about to hear is information of a very sensitive nature, one that could even put your life in danger," Qui-Gon said, pausing for a moment.
"But you deserve to know the truth. I found the truth and was going to tell you everything just before the blockade invasion on Naboo. I sensed the dark times ahead and made this recording in case I did not survive the conflict and hid it. I knew if the situation presented itself that Dex would drop enough hints for you to find this," Qui-Gon continued.
"I know you have visited your family on Stewjon a few times and probably still maintain a healthy detachment to them, as mandated by the Code. I hope your detachment in this case serves you well and lessens the blow of what I must tell you," he said. Obi-Wan took a deep breath, his mind swirling with the possibilities of what his Master might tell him.
"Those people you have visited are not your real family," Qui-Gon divulged.
"What?" Obi-Wan exclaimed.
"They are staged persons that act as your family to keep up the charade so that you won't find the truth. I know you must be very confused right now, but please listen to everything I must tell you," Qui-Gon requested. Obi-Wan's mouth suddenly felt like a desert and he quickly found a canteen of water he kept in the ship's cockpit. He drank, as the hologram continued its saga.
"I learned this truth not long before I recorded this and it seems that since you are viewing this, it means I was unable to deliver it to you in person. For that I am truly sorry, but it will up to you to expose the truth now. Those people posing as your family when needed are involved with the people that killed your real parents, which is the real reason you were handed over the Jedi as an infant," Qui-Gon explained.
"Just tell me Master..." Obi-Wan requested, though he knew it was silly, since Qui-Gon couldn't hear him.
"Your real parents...the real Kenobi's were something known as Force Jumpers. They are people that have the ability to teleport from one location to another, no matter the distance, instantaneously. Some are good like your parents were and some have decided to use their gift for not so noble means. Your parents were the former, just trying to live good lives and raise their son. But it didn't matter to the people that hunt their kind," Qui-Gon said.
"The people that hunt Force Jumpers are known as the Xal'Kaar and they are a secretive organization that originates on Haruun Kal. They believe that Force Jumpers are an abomination and that by destroying them, they are actually cleansing the Force. They do not care if the Force Jumpers they hunt are good people or bad people. They exist only to destroy ones with this ability," Qui-Gon explained.
"Haruun Kal..." Obi-Wan uttered.
"I only found out about all this shortly before the blockade. I found a recording similar to this one left to me by Tahl. I lost the love of my life and though it seemed she perished due to unforeseen circumstances during her last mission, she told me that the events that led up to her death had been carefully orchestrated by the leader of the Xal'Kaar...none other than Mace Windu himself," Qui-Gon announced.
"What?!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.
"I know what you are thinking Obi-Wan, but Mace Windu the Jedi is very different from the real Mace Windu, leader of the Xal'Kaar. His ultimate goal is to continue his secret war against Force Jumpers and keep the existence of his Order a secret," Qui-Gon stated.
"I've got to tell Master Yoda," Obi-Wan uttered.
"I know your first instinct will be to go to Master Yoda, but that would be a grave error at this point. Tahl warned me not to out Mace directly to Master Yoda without concrete proof, which I did not have. But I told Master Yoda that there were those among us that could not be trusted...that the corruption around us would mean the end of the Jedi. My pleas fell on deaf ears and Mace somehow figured out that I knew about him. If I am no longer among the living, then you can bet that he somehow saw to the events that led to my demise. Perhaps not directly, but he will do absolutely anything to make sure his people are not discovered. If the public were to find out that they hunt Force Jumpers, especially children and innocents with the ability, he would be ruined. And all the funding he gets from elite sources would dry up," Qui-Gon stated.
"But what can I do, Master?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but there is hope. You can avenge your family and all those that have fallen victim, but you will need numbers. There are Force Jumpers out there that are preparing a revolt. They are well hidden and their rise will most likely take many years to come to fruition. When the time comes, you must stand with them. Only then will the other Jedi stand with you and only together can you keep the Xal'Kaar from silencing you," Qui-Gon instructed, as the hologram faded.
"Then I know what I have to do. I just hope my suspicions are correct," Obi-Wan said, as he pressed record.
"Ahsoka, during our leave, there is something of a personal nature I must attend to. I shall return in a few days in time for our next mission," he said simply, recording his hologram and then sending it to the Temple. His vague message would alert no suspicion and allow a reasonable excuse. He had often recorded similar messages when he did journey to Stewjon to visit his birth family...a family that only pretended to be his when it was needed. Had Mace Windu really gone to such lengths to keep up his farce? According to his late Master, he would go to any lengths and though Qui-Gon's maverick ways had often frustrated Obi-Wan, he trusted him above all. Setting his course, he set out to embark on the path in which his Master suggested he choose. By doing so, he was defying everything he had come to know and trust in. Obi-Wan Kenobi was on a new, uncertain path now.
Padme smiled, as the boys and Anakin ate the cloud berry pancakes she had made heartily. It has been a few days since their wedding and the newlyweds had enjoyed some time alone, as well as plenty of family time spent with their boys. However, today it was back to reality, as they would return to Coruscant this morning. She would resume her work in the Senate, while Blake remained home with Dorme and the private tutor she had hired to begin schooling him. Anakin and Hunter would return to Yavin IV to resume training after seeing them safely back to Coruscant.
Later that afternoon...
Gavin Jothra entered the Senate meeting rotunda, a smaller rotunda in the building just off the main Senate rotunda. Originally, Gavin intended for this meeting to take place at his residence, but since it might have seemed slightly suspicious if he asked to host a meeting, he suggested this neutral meeting place for a delegation of Senators to meet since some of the ones coming were at odds with the opinions belonging to his boss, Padme, and Bail Organa. It was the perfect setting and it would make him look perfectly innocent. A room full of witnesses to bring about the end of that vigilante. The meeting was called impromptu, but attendance was mandated. There really was an important budget bill that was in debate that needed to be brought to conclusion and it was the perfect opportunity for his plan. He saw Senator Amidala arrive at last. Her handmaiden was with her and held her youngest son. He was aware the meeting had interrupted some sort of outing, but to him that made it even more tragic and she would welcome his help to see to her son's safety after her lover was disposed of.
"Senator...so glad you could make it," Gavin said, as he approached. Padme ignored his pleasantries.
"Do you know what this meeting is about?" she asked impatiently.
"I'm not sure, but I doubt it will take very long. Probably just Orn Free Taa having one of his hissy fits about not getting his way. I'm sure once we calm him down, we can all go about our days," Gavin replied.
"I hope so," Padme said, as she kissed Blake's cheek.
"I'll take him on home, milady," Dorme said. Padme nodded.
"Hopefully, I won't be long," Padme replied. As Dorme was about to head for the exit, a man wearing a tall, billed hat came waltzing through the door, flanked by several of his associates. And they were all armed to the teeth.
"Let's bring this meeting to Order," he said in a raspy, dangerous voice. Padme didn't know who he was, but he was trouble for sure. Quickly, she pulled Dorme back and behind her, as the man's red eyes scanned the room.
"Who are you?" Orn Free Taa demanded to know.
"The name is Cad Bane and I'm charge now, tubby. If you don't want me to blow your fat block off, then you'll back off," Cad threatened.
"What is it that you want?" another Senator asked.
"I'd like to speak with the Chancellor and if I don't get my way, bad things are going to happen to his precious Senators," Bane threatened. Orn Free Taa scurried to the comm screen and hailed the Chancellor's office.
"What is the meaning of this?" Palpatine questioned sternly, as he was hailed on the emergency frequency.
"Chancellor Palpatine!" Taa cried, before he was shoved out of the way.
"Who are you?" Palpatine demanded to know.
"I'm Cad Bane and as long as I get what I want, then no one gets hurt," Bane stated.
"And what is it that you want?" Palpatine asked. Bane's eyes scanned the room and stopped when he spotted Padme Amidala.
"Ah...there she is. My employer has paid me a pretty credit to dispose of this one here," he said, as he approached slowly.
"Whatever he has paid you, the Republic will double it if you spare her life," the Chancellor offered. Bane chuckled.
"Yeah, Nute Gunray said you would say that, but the Republic can't afford it with the war, now can they? This was to be a budget meeting, right?" he sneered, as his cold eyes stared down the beautiful Senator.
"Mommy..." Blake whimpered, as he squirmed in Dorme's arms.
"I won't let you harm her," Gavin said, as he stepped in front of her. Gavin and the bounty hunter stared at each other for a moment, before Bane smirked and shoved him out of the way. Padme whimpered, as he grabbed her arm and pointed his blaster at her.
"The Viceroy would like to witness your demise himself. Let's go, Senator," he hissed. Suddenly, a young masked boy appeared out of nowhere between them. Bane was caught off guard completely and fell to the ground in agony, as a peculiar red lightning struck him. A much taller and more menacing masked figure appeared above him. Knightblade kicked Bane away and gathered all the people in the room together. He nodded to Hunter and the boy ignited his lightsaber, cutting a circle in the floor around them, before jumping on with them and falling through the floor. Cad Bane stood up and faced the mysterious vigilante before him.
"So...you're the illustrious Knightblade. Your reputation proceeds you," Bane sneered.
"What is garbage like you doing in the Republic, Bane? I thought you only operated in the Outer Rim?" Anakin questioned. Bane shrugged.
"I'm very good at what I do, so naturally the job offers starting pouring in from this part of the galaxy," he replied simply.
"Forget whatever offer you got for Senator Amidala, because I will never let you touch her," Knightblade warned. Bane smirked.
"That's right, you're sweet on her," Bane chuckled, as he drew his blaster. He fired and just as he planned, Knightblade jumped and appeared on the other side of the room. The sensors came alive in the room and Anakin heard the whining, but couldn't evade the EMP blast that struck him full force.
Anakin's cry of agony sent Padme's heart into her throat. Hunter was about to jump back into the room above, but Padme's hand on his arm stopped him.
"They've placed sensors in that room. If you jump, they'll hit you too," Padme said, as she held her son tightly.
"We have to get to him, mom," Hunter insisted. Padme nodded.
"I know, follow me," she said, as she led him to other side of the room.
"Mommy..." Blake called.
"It's okay sweetie, stay with Dorme," Padme called, as Gavin followed her. Padme interfering was not a part of his plan.
"Padme stop!" Gavin called, as he caught up and grabbed her arm.
"You can't go back in that room, you'll be killed!" he warned. She wrenched her arm away.
"I'm not leaving him at the mercy of that bounty hunter!" she retorted, ignoring the stares of her fellow Senators.
"Padme...listen to yourself, you've lost your senses! That...thing up there is dangerous for you!" Gavin yelled. Padme tried to wrench his arm away, but he was holding on too tightly this time. Hunter clenched his teeth and kneed him in the gut, breaking his grip.
"Don't touch her, sleamo," the boy growled, as they joined hands and hurried to the lift. They took it to the floor above and burst into the room where Anakin writhed on the floor in agony. They saw Cox, smirking above him with a dagger, ready to plunge it into his heart.
"NOOOO!" Padme and Hunter screamed, as red lightning exploded from his fingertips. It struck Cox and thrust him hard against the wall. There was a sickening crack heard, as his spine snapped. Hunter gasped, as he felt the life leave the man through the Force.
"I...I didn't mean to," Hunter uttered, as Anakin climbed to his feet. Padme hugged him close.
"It's okay sweetie, you saved your daddy, it's okay," Padme soothed in a whisper, as she smoothed his hair with her hand in a comforting manner. Anakin drew his lightsaber and faced Bane. But the bounty hunter knew when to cut his losses and jumped down into the room below. Cries of alarm ensued from the Senators, as the bounty hunter stared them down. Seemingly being brave, Gavin stepped forward.
"You won't intimidate us, bounty hunter," Gavin said, his voice shaky. Bane chuckled and pumped blaster bolts at them. Curiously, every single shot missed, except one. Bane was an excellent shot, especially when the targets weren't moving. But he only had one target in the room. He had actually been paid to kill Mon Mothma, so he purposely missed every single shot except that one. But to most it would seem purely accidental. Screams of shock and disbelief filled the room, as the Senators gathered around the fallen woman. Dorme tried to keep her sobbing to a minimum, as she clutched Blake close. The little boy was already crying against her shoulder. Knightblade fell through the hole, just as Clone Troopers flooded the room. Bane fled and Anakin would have helped them track him down if they hadn't immediately pointed their weapons at him as well. Padme and Hunter exited the lift and she gasped in horror, as she saw Mon's lifeless body. Her eyes met Knightblade's and they knew they needed to get the boys out of here immediately. In the chaos, no one noticed him pluck Blake from Dorme's arms and take Hunter's arm, before disappearing. He would return and wait in the shadows for Padme.
"Who did this?" Mace Windu demanded, as he and several other Jedi invaded the room.
"A bounty hunter! He called himself Cad Bane!" Orn Free Taa bellowed.
"And that vigilante showed up!" another Senator called.
"He caused even more havoc!" Gavin added, as Padme glared at him. His plan had not gone even close to planned, except for the fact he was now rid of his boss. He would succeed her, at least until the next election, which he intended to win. With more power, he was certain more opportunities would arise. Nonetheless, he was very disappointed. He knew Padme was enamored with this freak, but he underestimated Knightblade's devotion to her. It seemed that he was willing to do anything to protect her. Still, it was something he could find a way to exploit. It was a setback, but he was determined still. Padme belonged with him and he wouldn't give up. The Senators were led back up to the room where the crime occurred and most were horrified by the body against the wall. Mace quickly examined the body and saw the singed hair and clothes, indicating Force lightning had been used. So now the brat was powerful enough to kill, he quietly determined.
"Can anyone confirm this man's identity?" Mace asked the room full of Senators. Padme had to suppress a scoff at Mace's act. The Jedi knew exactly who the man was. His dark eyes caught hers.
"Senator Amidala, have you ever seen him?" Mace asked coldly. She steeled herself against his gaze and returned it just as coldly.
"No Master Jedi, I've never seen him before," she lied.
"Very well, the coroner will determine the identity. Perhaps he is connected to Cad Bane," Mace stated. Padme rolled her eyes. Cox worked for Mace, but naturally Mace couldn't let that information surface. Fortunately for him, there was no physical proof that he knew him at all. How she hated that he got away with everything, while her husband and boys would constantly be hunted. But she vowed to bring him down. Someday...somehow, she would make him pay and see to it that everyone knew exactly who and what he was.
"Master Jedi...if there is nothing else, I believe we should be allowed to take our leave. A terrible tragedy occurred here today," Bail stated sadly.
"Of course Senator, the culprit will be brought to justice, as will that masked vigilante," Mace stated.
"Actually Master Jedi, it was Knightblade and his young partner that saw to our safety in the first place. Knightblade himself engaged the bounty hunter," Bail stated. Mace inwardly seethed.
"Perhaps Senator, but he has his own agenda, I assure you. Someone that dangerous and unpredictable must be dealt with as well," Mace replied, as his gaze drifted back to Padme.
"If we're finished here, then we are free to leave?" Padme questioned. Mace clenched his teeth, but released his anger into the Force.
"Of course milady," he replied stoically. Padme turned and left the room. She hurried to the lift before anyone else could follow and went to her office where Anakin was waiting for her. She ran to him and he hugged her tightly.
"Are the boys okay?" she asked. He nodded.
"They're already home in the Lake Country. I don't think we need to be on Coruscant right now," he replied. She nodded.
"Let's go," she agreed, as they disappeared.
"Focus on your element and expand it," Jake instructed his students, as Scout and Whie quietly observed.
Arianna's arms glowed brightly with blue wisps of lightning and a perfect orb of water formed between her palms.
"That's it Ari...now expand that energy," Jake instructed. Concentration lined her young face, as she expanded her water until it was a wall taller than her. She pushed the attack forward, as it became too big for her to control. It dissipated and splashed to the floor of the training room.
"That was great sweetheart, but we need a mop now," Jake said. Whie and Scout observed the other children in awe, as Sky produced a miniature tornado, something that Johnny had assured them would be deadly in the future as his powers developed. Riley's control of his force fields was effortless, so much so, that David was actually using a vibro blade to demonstrate that it was strong enough not to be penetrated. Dustin's power was too destructive for the gym, so he was outside training, as was Mina since snow was much easier to maintain by drawing on the atmosphere once she manifested her initial attack.
"Their abilities are amazing. They're so young," Whie mentioned.
"Yes, but I'm sure you know that the younger training starts, the better," Jake replied. Whie nodded.
"So, you want us to begin saber training today?" he asked. Johnny nodded and presented the practice sabers that Whie had told they would need to fashion.
"Will these do?" he asked. Scout nodded.
"These will work fine. Then when the time comes, we'll need to acquire the crystals. They can be found on Ilum, but it is a treacherous journey," Scout warned.
"I don't think we should risk it though. Younglings are taken there sporadically on year around trips. Crystals can be acquired on the black market, though it's not cheap," Whie explained. Jake nodded.
"We're no strangers to acquiring weapons on the black market," Jake replied.
"President Zearing and Vice President Evans mandate that part of our defense budget goes specifically for training and weapons purposes directly for defensive maneuvers against the Xal'Kaar. They are the biggest threat to our way of life, so acquiring the funds to purchase the needed crystals when the time comes shouldn't be a problem," Johnny replied. Whie and Scout nodded.
"Then I guess saber training has begun," Whie said, as they prepared to train those who could very well be their future defenders.
Anakin and Padme appeared in the living area of Varykino. The boys, who were being consoled by their adopted Uncle and Grandfather, ran to them.
"Are you both okay?" Padme fretted, as she looked them over.
"We're fine Mom," Hunter assured her, as Blake clung tightly to her. She scooped him up and rocked him gently.
"Mommy is so sorry you were scared, baby," she cooed sweetly to him. Anakin removed his mask and hugged Hunter tightly.
"You saved my life out there," he told him. Hunter swallowed the lump in his throat.
"He was evil...but I still feel bad. I killed him," he said, as the tears finally spilled down his cheeks. Anakin scooped him and they sat down with the boys in their laps.
"You did the right thing. You were defending someone you loved, sweetheart. And the fact that you still feel bad just means that you're a really good person," Padme assured him.
"Really?" he sniffed. Anakin nodded.
"Really," he assured him.
"He was a very bad man and he would have killed you all. You did the right thing," Quinlan stated. They nodded in agreement, but Anakin saw the look on his wife's face. Something was still bothering her, but the boys needed them right now, so he would talk with her later when they were alone.
Obi-Wan's ship received landing clearance from the Theed tower right away and he promptly landed at the designated landing pad. He had contacted an old acquaintance and hoped that she would agree to help him. He moved through the city and entered the small cafe, before dropping his hood.
"May I help you?" the hostess asked.
"Yes, I am here to meet someone. The name is Ben," he replied. Her eyes shone with recognition.
"Yes, Lady Valerte is waiting for you," she said, as he was led to a table.
"Well, you can imagine my surprise when I heard from the illustrious Obi-Wan Kenobi," Sabe said with playful snark. Obi-Wan smirked.
"You're as lovely as ever, Lady Sabe and thank you for meeting me. I hope that your boss will not see this as a betrayal," Obi-Wan replied, as he sat down.
"I'm loyal to Padme through and through. I will hear what you have to say and make my decision then. But I will never do anything that would endanger her," Sabe replied, as the waitress delivered their drinks.
"Jawa juice...you remembered," Obi-Wan said, as he took a sip. She smirked and took a sip of her wine.
"Of course, now what exactly are you here to discuss?" Sabe asked.
"Well, since I know you hate it when someone beats around the bush, I'll just come out and say it. I'm here to talk about Anakin and Padme," he said bluntly. Sabe nearly choked on her drink and she looked at him in disbelief.
"So he is one in the same. Knightblade and Anakin..." Obi-Wan said in awe.
"I...I don't know what you're talking about. Only Padme knows his true identity," she lied.
"I know it's him, Sabe. There has been something about him the moment I saw him...something familiar. And then on the Malevolence, I heard Padme whisper the name Ani...I know it's him and I don't mean them any harm," Obi-Wan stressed.
"And why should I trust you? I know there are certain Jedi that want nothing more than to see him dead," Sabe hissed. Obi-Wan leaned forward.
"I know all about Mace and I can assure you that I want nothing to do with his so called cause. But if you don't believe me, take this recording and play it in private. I'll wait right here while you go do so in your speeder. If you do not return, then I will take that as my answer. But if you do, which I'm sure you will, then I'll know that you believe I want to help their cause," he stated. Sabe looked at him suspiciously and took the holodisc. Excusing herself, she exited the cafe and secluded herself in her speeder.
Obi-Wan was not surprised to see her return fifteen minutes later with an awestricken face.
"Your...you real parents were Force Jumpers?" she whispered.
"Apparently so. As you know, I trust my old Master's wisdom implicitly. If he says this is true, then it is," he replied. She nodded.
"I believe you Ben, but Anakin will flip out. He's very protective of Padme and the boys," Sabe warned. He nodded.
"I know and that's why I'll let you present my case first. Then we'll go from there," Obi-Wan replied. She nodded.
"I'll contact you tonight with their answer," she said, as she got up and hurried off.
"Angel...are you okay?" Anakin asked, as he joined her on the balcony that overlooked the lake. The boys had calmed down considerably and were inside playing.
"It's my fault that Blake was even there, Ani. And Mon...poor Mon," she said regrettably. He shook his head.
"Angel, there was no way for you to know something like that would happen. I'm just sorry that I wasn't able to save Mon Mothma," he replied.
"Maybe not...but I think Coruscant is too dangerous for the boys. And it's not your fault that Mon is dead, so I don't want you blaming yourself," she said. He nodded.
"I agree about Corusant being too dangerous. I can Force Jump us anywhere in the galaxy. We can live here and on Yavin IV. I'll take you to and from Coruscant," he replied.
"Blake just loves his tutoring so much, but there's no one I could hire that we could trust with our secrets. I don't want to deprive him of his education, but we can't send him to public school either. It's just too risky," she fretted. Anakin nodded and thought deeply for a moment. His eyes lit up suddenly with an idea.
"Hold that thought, angel. I think I have the solution. I shouldn't be gone too long," Anakin said, as he disappeared. Padme smiled and sighed, as she gazed out at the lake, before going inside to spend time with her boys while they waited for Anakin to return...