Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 32! Thanks for all the great reviews. 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:
Avalon West: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it so much. I would love to publish a book someday. Glad to know you think I have what it takes. :)
Shamczera: Thanks, glad you like it so much.
BookLover: Thanks, glad you like it, but I'm afraid I don't know who Khaleen Hentz is.
ULTRA SONIC: Thank you for your engaging review. I hope this chapter answers a few of your questions, but some will come later. I will just say this though, this is one time where Palpatine is actually not in control and it makes him very angry.
Harry2: Yes it will be very interesting and yes, Yoda is right.
David-El: Sorry, I didn't plan on killing her originally, but I needed Jothra in a more powerful position and she was in his way. Hope I didn't disappoint you too much.
Guest: Well, Mace isn't in league with the Sith, rather he just made sure Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were the Jedi sent to deal with the blockade. His own people ended up not having to step in when Darth Maul appeared. As for Padme, I don't see it that way. In the canon, Padme didn't get a chance to be a mother, which I assure you would have changed her. In this, she was in a room with innocent people and her son. She would have done anything, including surrender, to keep him safe. Once she was assured Blake was safe, she followed Hunter to find Anakin without a second thought, which was very Padme-like, so I disagree with your assessment. This is not the canon and therefore things will not be the same. The situations and circumstances are different and therefore, the character's reactions will be different as well.
Destiny Changer: No, Mace is not in league with the Sith. He simply arranged it so that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were the ones sent to Naboo. He didn't have to step in to make sure Qui-Gon was eliminated, but probably would have had Darth Maul not appeared. Glad you're enjoying the story.
Hannah Jane: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it so much. As for Ahsoka, time will tell. ;)
froovygirl: No, Obi-Wan is not a Force Jumper, just his parents. Force Jumping is not necessarily genetic. You'll understand as you read. Enjoy.
sexystarwarslover: Thanks! So glad you're enjoying it! :)
Jedi Angel001: Thanks, glad you like it. Sorry for the delays between chapters, but sometimes life gets in the way and I don't like to rush the chapters. But I hope the wait is worth it. :)
Force Jumper
Chapter 32: Turning Point
Anakin appeared in the endless desert on the outskirts of Mos Espa, the place he loathed more than any place in the galaxy. It held a lot of bad memories, but had a few bright spots. He remembered all those nights his mother would tuck him in and how she always made things seem okay. And he had met Padme for the first time in Watto's shop, after all. But it was also the place where his mother was murdered, but he was putting that aside for the moment. He had a specific reason for coming back here, but he knew it was a long shot at best. He had already briefly talked to Padme's father and he was thrilled with his idea. He only hope the other half worked out.
Walking into the small village of slave hovels where he had lived until he was nearly ten brought a lot of memories back. He didn't even know if his best friend still lived here. He actually hoped he didn't, that somehow Kitster had gotten out. But not many slaves got out. Knocking on the door of Kitster's old residence, he wasn't surprised to see someone other than him answer.
"Can I help you?" the young woman asked timidly.
"I'm not sure. I'm looking for someone who lived here a long time ago. His name was Kitster Banai," Anakin replied. At that moment, a man came to the door beside her and though they had both grown up, Anakin could instantly tell it was his old friend.
"Kitster?" Anakin asked.
"Who's asking?" he replied suspiciously. Anakin smirked.
"Come on, you don't recognize me?" he asked. The man studied Anakin suspiciously and recognition dawned on him when he looked into his eyes.
"Ani?" he asked. Anakin grinned.
"Took you long enough," he replied.
"It is you!" Kitster exclaimed, as he grinned and hugged him.
"What the...rumors around here were that you were killed years ago!" Kitster said, as he invited him in.
"Since when do believe rumors? Of course the slaver scum is going to say that. They can't let it be known that I escaped them," Anakin replied.
"I knew it...but where have you been?" Kitster asked. Anakin chuckled.
"A lot of places and as far away from this dust ball as possible," he replied.
"Oh Ani...this is my wife Tamora," he said. Anakin shook her hand.
"It's very nice to meet you," he replied.
"Likewise," she said with a kind smile.
"I'll have to bring my wife with me next time," he mentioned.
"Ah, so you do have a girl, not that I'm surprised," he teased. Anakin chuckled.
"Well, believe it or not, I married Padme," Anakin replied.
"Get out...you sly Nexu! I knew you were sweet on her," Kitster teased him.
"So what brought you back to this miserable dust ball?" he asked.
"Well, it's a long shot and an odd request, but do you remember that droid I was building for my mother?" Anakin asked.
"Oh yeah, the annoying one that jabbers a lot. Threepio!" Kitster called.
"Yes Master Kitster," the droid, void of any coverings, tottered into the room. Anakin's mouth dropped open in surprise.
"We never got around to getting him any coverings, but I managed to salvage him from your old home before those lousy slavers came to raid it after your mom died," Kitster replied.
"I can't believe you have him. How much do you want for him?" Anakin asked.
"You want him back? Are you sure? He's irritating," Kitster said. Anakin chuckled.
"I know, but my boys will love him and it will take me too long to build another protocol droid," he replied.
"Whoa, hold up. You have kids already?" Kitster asked in disbelief.
"Padme and I adopted two boys," he replied proudly.
"Wow...you did get busy. Anyway, you made the droid so you can have him back. He still remembers you as his maker," Kitster replied.
"Thanks, but you still have to let me give you something for him. I insist," Anakin said, as he put some credits on the table. Kitster shook his hand.
"Thank you Ani," he replied graciously.
"Master Ani...is that really you?" Threepio asked. He nodded.
"It is and we need to go get you some coverings," Anakin replied.
"You better come back and visit soon. Bring the family," Kitster called. Anakin smiled and nodded.
"I will soon, I promise. Thanks again," Anakin replied, as he and Threepio trudged through the sand, while the droid complained about sand getting in his circuits. Once Anakin was sure he was far enough away, he grabbed the chattering droid's arm and disappeared.
A few hours later
"Padme, I need to speak with you and Anakin. It's important," Sabe said, as she entered the kitchen.
"Okay, Ani ran off a while ago on some mysterious task, but he never misses dinner, so he should be back soon," Padme replied, as she put the dish in the oven. As she said that, Anakin appeared in right next to Sabe and she nearly jumped out of her skin. And by the grin on his face, she could tell that he had done it on purpose. She hauled off and smacked his arm.
"Don't do that!" she scolded, as he chuckled.
"What have you been up to?" Padme asked, as he put his arm around her waist.
"I have a solution to the problem of finding a tutor we can trust to school the boys here or on Yavin IV since we both agree that Coruscant isn't a good idea anymore. I talked to your father and he is thrilled to help, but I didn't want him to shoulder all the work," Anakin said, prompting them to follow him into the living room.
Hunter and Blake were already chattering and gathered around the shiny golden protocol droid in the living room.
"A protocol droid?" Padme asked, a little unconvinced.
"Not just any protocol droid, but the one I built when I was boy," he replied. Padme looked at him surprise.
"You mean that's Threepio?" she asked. He nodded.
"But how..." she wondered.
"I went back to Tatooine and visited Kitster. I knew it was a long shot that he would even still be there, much less know what happened to Threepio. Turns out, he is still there and let me buy Threepio back from him. Then I took him to one of those fancy droid pampering places and made him presentable," Anakin replied.
"You hate those droid spas. You think they're a rip off," she teased.
"They are, but the way he was looking before might have scared Blake and it made him shut up about all the sand he had in his circuits so it was worth it. Especially since they love him," Anakin said, as Blake chattered on a mile a minute and was elated to find that the droid could keep up with him just fine.
"And someone is jealous," she said, indicating Artoo, who was feeling a bit left out.
"You should take him to the droid spa tomorrow. We don't want him to feel like he's second string now," Padme told him. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"He's more of a diva than a droid," Anakin complained.
"You did very well. Threepio and my father are the perfect solution," Padme replied, as she kissed him tenderly.
"Mommy...look at our new droid Daddy got!" Blake called.
"I see, but Daddy actually made this droid," she told him. Blake looked up at him, eyes wide in wonder.
"Really?" he asked in awe, as Anakin ruffled his dark hair.
"Sure did, when I was just a little younger than Hunter, actually," he replied.
"Threepio and Grandpa Ruwee are going to be your new tutors," Padme announced.
"Really?" he asked. She nodded.
"And you both need to listen to them and respect them just like you did Ms Masterson, understood?" she asked. They nodded.
"Okay, why don't you take Threepio and show him around," she said.
"Okay, come on Artoo! You have to come too," Blake urged. Excited to be included again, Artoo followed them with a cheerful chirp.
"Oh Sabe, there was something you needed to speak with us about?" Padme recalled.
"Yes, and I think you should both sit down. And Master Quin and Sifo should hear this too," she said, as they all convened in the living room.
"Sounds serious," Quinlan mentioned.
"It is...I saw Obi-Wan Kenobi today," she announced.
"What?" Anakin asked.
"He asked me to meet him and he asked that I play this message for him. It will be as shocking to you as it was to him," Sabe said, as she played the hologram and the image of Qui-Gon Jinn appeared.
"Master Qui-Gon," Anakin said softly.
"I know you must be very curious by all my secrecy, 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.
"Those people you have visited are not your real family," Qui-Gon divulged.
"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.
"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.
"Your real parents...the real Kenobis 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.
"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 Hindu himself," Qui-Gon announced.
"I know what you are thinking Obi-Wan, but Mace Hindu the Jedi is very different from the real Mace Windu, leader of the Xal'Kaar. His ultimate goal is continue his secret war against Force Jumpers and keep the existence of his Order a secret," Qui-Gon stated.
"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.
"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.
"Obi-Wan's real parents were Force Jumpers?" Anakin asked. She nodded.
"And he wants to help our cause," Sabe announced.
"Sabe...did you tell him that Anakin is Knightblade?" Padme asked wearily.
"I didn't have to. He has suspected it for a while, I don't know how he found out," she replied.
"What do you think, Master?" Anakin asked.
"I think a meeting with him is definitely in order. Imagine what we could do with having a Jedi on the inside to keep an eye on Mace," Sifo-Dyas suggested.
"He certainly would never suspect Obi-Wan, but are you sure we can trust him, Master?" Quinlan asked.
"He could have gone straight to Yoda, but he respects Qui-Gon above all," Sifo replied.
"Master Sifo is right. He didn't want to train me, but he made the request to the Council in Qui-Gon's bequest anyway. He would do anything for him," Anakin stated.
"I agree, but we should choose a more neutral location," Quinlan replied.
"There is the family cabin we own in the north mountains," Ruwee mentioned, speaking for the first time.
"That's a good idea. I can jump us all there tomorrow morning and then go with Sabe to Theed to get him. That way if it goes bad, Varykino will still be a safe haven," Anakin decided. They were in agreement.
The next morning
"Wow..." Blake said in awe, as he looked over the side of the boat. They didn't worry thought, because Anakin had a firm arm around his waist. Blake was fascinated by the water and the boat of course, as well as the sea life that he could see.
"Daddy, did you and Mommy really go to the Gungan City underwater once?" Blake asked. He nodded.
"Yes, we went there one time with Jar-Jar," Anakin answered. Blake giggled.
"Jar-Jar is silly," Blake mentioned, remembering all the mishaps he had seen the kind, but accident prone Gungan create. Anakin and Padme chuckled.
"Yes, Jar-Jar is very silly," Anakin agreed.
"But he has a good heart. That's what matters," Padme added, as she and Hunter joined them.
"Is that it, Mom?" Hunter asked, pointing in the near distance to a cabin that rested in the mountains with a road that led up to it. She nodded.
"That's it, the Naberrie winter cabin," she replied, noticing another boat at the dock. Sabe and Obi-Wan were already there.
"Do you think Mr. Kenobi is really on our side, dad?" Hunter asked curiously.
"He's a good man that always tries to do what's right. Sometimes he sees things as a little too black and white, but Master Qui-Gon was someone that was very important to him, someone he loved like a father, in fact. If Master Qui-Gon wanted him on our side, then I think that's exactly where he'll be," Anakin answered honestly, as he patted his eldest on the shoulder. The boat soon docked and the occupants boarded the speeder that took them up to the cabin. The family walked through the door and Obi-Wan and Sabe rose from their seats. Obi-Wan took in the tall blonde man first, knowing instantly that this man was Anakin, the once little boy he had met in a junk shop on Tatooine. It blew him away how much a simple mask hid from the galaxy.
"Anakin...it is you..." Obi-Wan said. He nodded.
"And you are Knightblade as well," Obi-Wan continued. He nodded again, as they all took a seat.
"Did...Master Qui-Gon know you were a Force Jumper?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No...I didn't experience my first jump until about a year after I went back to Tatooine," Anakin replied, not wanting to think about that tragic night.
"I don't mean to be rude, Obi-Wan, but I need to know where you stand. I won't expose my family to unnecessary danger. That bastard that sits on your Council has already tried countless times to kill all of us," Anakin stated bluntly.
"Say no more Anakin. Master Qui-Gon's message was proof enough for me. I once respected Master Windu a great deal, but I can admit that I know very little about him. He's very cold and aloof, even for a Jedi. I see now that there is a reason for that. I'm just not sure where to go from here. My first instinct would be to go to Master Yoda, but Qui-Gon advised against it," Obi-Wan stated.
"And with good reason. If we're going to expose the Xal'Kaar to the Jedi, then it will take more than just the people in this room to do it properly," Sifo-Dyas stated.
"They're really that powerful?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes and they even want to kill our boys," Padme replied.
"Padme's right. That's how I found them. They were running from the Xal'Kaar. Blake isn't a Force Jumper, but they were going to kill him right along with Hunter simply because he knew too much. They don't just kill Force Jumpers. They kill their friends, family, and any witnesses. It's how they've remained so secretive for centuries," Anakin said.
"I was hoping that it couldn't be true...that he wouldn't kill children," Obi-Wan replied.
"What do you mean?" Padme asked. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Several months ago, Mace decided to take a new padawan, one that surprised us all. Her name was Tallisibeth Esterhazy and she had a much lower midichlorian count than most. She was the opposite of what we expected Mace to choose in a padawan, but he was adamant, stating that he believed she had potential," Obi-Wan said, pausing for a moment.
"A couple months later, we received word that she was killed in battle. There was no body, for Master Windu said she was lost in an explosion set off by a Separatist planted thermal detonator," Obi-Wan said.
"I'm pretty sure that's a lie. He must have discovered she was a Force Jumper, took her as his padawan, and then turned on her when the time was right," Anakin replied.
"I should have protested more. Even before any of this, I knew Scout wasn't a good fit for him. I had a terrible feeling it would lead to bad things for her," Obi-Wan lamented.
"You couldn't have known, Obi-Wan. He is very good at deceit. He has deceived even Master Yoda, after all," Padme comforted him.
"Padme's right. It's not like he doesn't have help within the Temple either," Quinlan mentioned.
"Then there are others in on it?" he asked.
"The only one we know for sure is Depa Billaba, but I am certain there are others as well," Sifo-Dyas stated. Obi-Wan allowed himself a small smile, despite all that he was trying to take in.
"I am going to assume that Anakin is your mysterious husband that the Holonet is always rampantly talking about," Obi-Wan mused. Padme blushed shyly. Anakin smirked.
"Well I did tell you I was going to marry her when I was a kid, didn't I?" Anakin said slyly. Obi-Wan smiled.
"You did indeed," Obi-Wan replied.
"I don't believe I have been properly introduced to these two strapping lads though," Obi-Wan mentioned.
"This is Hunter and Blake," Anakin introduced, as he shook the oldest boy's hand.
"It's nice to meet you Master Kenobi," Hunter replied. Obi-Wan smirked.
"Manners...that must be your doing, Padme," Obi-Wan mused slyly.
"You're about as funny as I remember," Anakin joked with an eye roll. Obi-Wan peered down at Blake, who shyly hid his face in Padme's shoulder.
"It's okay sweetheart. Obi-Wan is a very nice man," she assured him. Blake looked up and waved shyly.
"Hello young one," Obi-Wan said kindly.
"So...where do we go from here?" Sabe wondered.
"Well, this is an interesting opportunity. We've never been able to have someone on the inside of the Temple," Sifo-Dyas stated.
"I'm not sure how much I can learn, but I did find the message my Master hid for me eventually. I have suspicions that Dex knows more than he lets on as well. I will do everything I can, even it means spying on my brethren," Obi-Wan said, a little uncomfortable with that thought.
"We know it's a lot to ask and I'm sorry for that," Anakin apologized.
"Say no more, Anakin. If I can save even one child, then it will be worth it. I'm just having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that they've gotten away with this for so long. That no one else has protested this or how they're able to fund such an operation," Obi-Wan questioned.
"We'd like to know those answers to. I suspect they have benefactors of some sort, but we have no clue who or how much those people know about where their money is going," Quinlan responded.
"You must be careful, Obi-Wan. If Mace even suspects that you know something, he'll find a way to eliminate you and without implicating himself," Sifo-Dyas warned.
"Oh I can be quite sneaky when I need to be," Obi-Wan mused, earning smiles from them.
"Does this mean you're going to visit us a lot, Mr. Kenobi?" Blake asked. Obi-Wan smiled at the small boy.
"Well, I suppose I will be around a bit," Obi-Wan assured him.
"Then we should probably get you used to jumping," Anakin said, as he stood up.
"Oh, I don't think that's necessary, Anakin" Obi-Wan protested.
"I can't have you losing your lunch all over the place all the time, so we need to get it out of the way," Anakin said, as he took Obi-Wan's arm and started with a small jump down to the dock. Obi-Wan stumbled dizzily, but managed to keep on his feet.
"Bloody hell Anakin...are you trying to kill me?" Obi-Wan complained.
"You're fine. You're not puking your guts out so that's a good sign," Anakin joked. Obi-Wan gave him a weary look.
"Please tell me it gets easier?" Obi-Wan asked, as they appeared in the house again.
"Yes, it will become natural. It doesn't bother me at all anymore, but that wasn't very nice, Ani," Padme chided. He smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry angel, but you know I can't help myself," he defended himself. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're going to be the death of me?" he asked.
"I've often had the same feeling," Quinlan agreed.
"You know, I'm hurt by that," Anakin joked back.
"Then I guess we know our plan," Obi-Wan said. Anakin nodded.
"I'll be on Coruscant often enough. We've decided that we won't be bringing the boys there any more than necessary, but we can meet at Dex's once a week for a briefing," Anakin suggested. Obi-Wan nodded.
"I frequent there often as it is so it won't rouse any suspicion, but you attract attention wherever you go with that mask," Obi-Wan mentioned.
"And if someone were to see you with Padme and without the mask, it wouldn't take much to put two and two together," Quinlan agreed.
"Okay, then where do you suggest?" Anakin asked.
"Since we know we can trust Obi-Wan now, we could just come to Varykino. Dex's could simply be the rendezvous point," Padme replied. They nodded in agreement.
"Yes, I believe Dex is where I'll start to begin with and this time he is going to tell me what he knows," Obi-Wan said. Quinlan nodded.
"I'll go with you. He'll know then that he can tell you now," Quinlan stated.
"Even so, this won't be an easy or short venture. You realize that this could take years to bring them down?" Sifo-Dyas questioned. They all nodded.
"We'll do what it takes," Anakin answered. The others agreed.
"I'll get my starfighter and head back to Coruscant. Then I'll meet you tonight," Obi-Wan decided. Quinlan nodded, as they saw Obi-Wan out.
"Well, that went much better than we could have ever expected," Padme mentioned to her husband. Anakin nodded.
"Maybe we finally have a chance of bringing Mace and his entire operation down this time," Anakin replied.
"I hope so...but no matter what, he's not going to touch this family," she said fiercely. He kissed her passionately.
"Never," he promised.
AN: In the next chapter, 5 years will have passed. Beneath the raging Clone Wars, which have see no end in sight, another war between Force Jumpers and the Xal'Kaar still wages. Mace is beyond frustrated that Knightblade continues to stifle his operation. Anakin is equally as frustrated that many Force Jumpers he encounters want nothing to do with going up against the Xal'Kaar. Palpatine himself is angry that these outside forces prevent him from ending the war, for he cannot risk such powerful forces turning their attention to him. But will a chance meeting with a member of the Order of the Sun change everything? The adventure continues in the next chapter, coming soon.