Hey, everybody. After a bit of a break, I'm back with the sequel to Light Amidst Darkness. This will take us a decade after the end of the last story. It'll take a few chapters to set everything up and lead into the plot for this story. Also, this one will be much longer than the first one.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 1
As a slight breeze blows over the airstrip of a starfighter production plant on Coruscant, a crew of technicians are gathered around a small landing pad where their newest project is waiting. Resting on the pad is the first prototype of a new fighter they have just designed: the T-65 X-Wing starfighter. The X-Wing is the result of a new project designed to replace almost all of the Republic's current starfighters, including the ARC-170, Z-95 Headhunter, V-19, and V-Wing. Although the galaxy had been at peace for a decade, the Republic had felt it was time to start searching for a replacement fighter.
The X-Wing had been in design for almost a year, and was now ready for its very first test flight. The engineers and design team were excited but nervous. If this test flight didn't go well, it could really set the X-Wing program back, or even convince the Republic to try and go with a different design. So, for that reason, they had taken an extra step to make sure they could impress Republic military inspectors who are here to watch the flight.
One of the chief engineers turns around and sees the test pilot approaching. "Alright. General Skywalker, are you all ready to go?" he asks.
A few meters away, Anakin smiles as he hefts his flight helmet. "Yes, sir. Ready to go," he says.
In the ten years since the end of the Clone Wars, Anakin had been spread amongst many duties. But one he was often asked to perform was the role of a test pilot. It was widely recognized he was one of the best pilots, if not the best, in the Republic. He was often called in to test out new ship designs.
Like he usually is for these flights, Anakin is wearing a special flight suit. It is specially designed to protect him from the elements, especially from the vacuum of space, with a number of systems built into it to track his vitals and how he reacts to the flight parameters. He's also carrying a specialized flight helmet.
Anakin makes his way to the chief engineer who's in charge of the test flight. "Alright. Remember, we set out two courses: one in atmosphere, one in orbit. YOur task is to complete both courses within half an hour and return to the field."
"You got it," Anakin says, but his mind is already running not just through the planned manuevers, but also his own ideas he's thinking of adding to the test.
"Alright. General Skywalker, take it away," the engineer says with a smile as he steps aside. Anakin then steps forward and climbs up the ladder into the cockpit.
The testing team finishes the final preparations for the test flight while Anakin prepares to start the flight. Anakin had been briefed on the X-Wing's cockpit and spent time in a model to familiarize himself with all of the switches. Although Anakin was even more confident than ever of his pilot abilities, he knew the importance of being fully prepared for a test flight of a brand new ship.
After Anakin has finished settling himself into the cockpit, he straps on his helmet and then begins powering up the ship as he closes the canopy. In his headset, he hears the controller call out, "General Skywalker, you are cleared for takeoff."
"Copy that," Anakin responds before he powers up the engines fully and begins to lift the X-Wing off the ground. Then, as the X-Wing reaches a height of 10 feet, Anakin stops, shifts to full forward motion, and shoves the throttles forward.
Instantly, the X-Wing accelerates forward, jumping quickly past 100 miles an hour. "Wee-haw!" Anakin cheers as he feels the rush of speed.
The X-Wing is beyond the airfield in a second as Anakin heads for the first course. Moving at his current speed, it takes him only a minute to reach the first course. Anakin descends to low altitude and calls out on the radio, "Starting the course run, now!"
Anakin dives through a large metal ring positioned to start the course, then begins weaving his way in and out of various obstacles in his path. As he moves through the course, he keeps one hand on the throttle, constantly adjusting his speed. Anakin is immediately very impressed with the X-Wing's responsiveness, especially when it comes to its speed.
In a matter of minutes, Anakin blasts through the end of the course. "Yee-haw!" he cheers as he flies out.
"Perfect! Now, make your way to the orbital course," the controller calls out.
However, Anakin has his eyes locked on a large block of skyscrapers close by. "Actually…" Anakin mutters before snapping the X-Wing in that direction.
"Wait, General-!" the controller starts to protest before Anakin flips the switch to turn off the radio.
In the control room, the control team looks around, a bit concerned. However, the engineer, who knows Anakin's reputation well, just sighs and shakes his head.
Anakin grins as he streaks into the midst of the skyscrapers. As he does, he weaves his way in and out through the skyscrapers, banking every few seconds, while rolling and diving around the speeds in his way, chuckling to himself the whole way. He soon sees a large skyscraper in his path and streaks right at it. As he gets close to the skyscraper, he yanks back on the control stick. The X-Wing pops up, skidding to a stop and halting just yards from the side of the skyscraper before rocketing into the sky.
Anakin laughs aloud as he shoots up into the upper atmosphere. Finally, he flips the radio back on and calls out, "General Skywalker back."
"Please don't do that again, General Skywalker," the controller calls out.
"No promises," Anakin calls out.
"Alright, Skywalker. Proceed to the orbital course," the controller calls out. Anakin alters course slightly and readies for the course.
(Hours later, Skywalker apartment)
Padme smiles as she walks back into the massive penthouse she and Anakin now live in. After a long day at work, she is just glad to be back home.
As she enters, she smiles as she sees Obi-Wan is already sitting in the living room, Luke and Leia seated around him and talking excitedly. Padme smiles brightly. Everytime she sees the twins in their little Jedi outfits, she cant help but think about how cute they look.
"Hello!" Padme calls out.
"Mother!" Luke calls out, and he and Leia both jump up and run to hug their mother. Padme smiles and bends down to hug them.
After straightening up, she sees Obi-Wan standing up. Although he's gotten a little older, he still has a brilliant spark of life in his eyes.
"Good evening, Chancellor," Obi-Wan says with a chuckle, using his typical humorous greeting.
"Same to you, Master Kenobi," Padme returns with a smile.
In the ten years since the end of the Clone Wars, Padme has continued to serve in a public capacity. She continued to serve as Naboo's Senator until Bail Organa's two terms as Supreme Chancellor were up, and he officially retired back to Alderaan to continue his position as King of Alderaan. When Bail retired, an election was held to determine his replacement. Although Mon Mothma had also been a candidate and been very popular, Padme had been elected to take his place as Supreme Chancellor. Two years into her term, Padme had already established herself as one of the most popular and effective Supreme Chancellors since the reorganization of the Senate following the Ruusan Reformations.
"I presume you are staying for dinner," Padme asks.
"Of course. I wouldn't dream of missing dinner," Obi-Wan says.
"Will Ahsoka be coming?" Padme asks.
"Sadly no. She is still out on her mission to Saleucami," Obi-Wan says. Ahsoka had been reinstated to the Jedi Order a short time after the end of the Clone Wars. However, her experience had changed her, and she was definitely not what one would call a typical Jedi, and she often operated rather independently. She was currently on a mission to Saleucami to resolve some disputes on the planet.
"Alright. Well, let's get ready for dinner," Padme says.
Right then, they hear a noise outside. They look tom the landing pad, and smile as they see Anakin's speeder pull up. After stopping, Anakin leaps out and comes trotting in.
"Hey!" he calls out to greet his family.
"Daddy!" the twins cry out as they run to embrace him.
"How did the test flight go?" Obi-Wan asks.
"Excellent. I am so excited for the X-Wing to enter service. It's gonna be an excellent addition to the fleet. She handles so well," Anakin says, his voice filled with the excitement that always enters his voice when he's just flown a new ship.
"Good," Obi-Wan says.
Anakin then walks over to Padme, giving her a tight embrace and giving her a quick kiss. "Let's have some dinner!" he says.
"Yes, let's," Padme says happily, and everyone heads into the kitchen, ready for dinner as a family.
And, I'll end the first chapter there.
So, it's been about 10 years of a time jump, and a lot has changed obviously. It'll take me a while to show exactly what has changed, and the current state of the galaxy, so just hold tight.
Also, I'm working on a number of new Star Wars fanfiction ideas. Some will be crossovers, primarily with Marvel and maybe DC, but some will be pure Star Wars. And I will say, one of the ideas I'm floating around centers on Galen Marek, aka Starkiller, so we'll see if I go forward with that. Watch my profile for any new stories, as well as updates to this story and my Terran Alliance series.
Also, I'll be using a lot of characters, both from Legends and Canon, from the Imperial rule, original trilogy, and even early New Republic era in this story, so let me know which ones you'd like to see come into play. Also, I will confirm that given his escape during last one, Maul is still at large, and will come into play in this story. I have really come to love Maul and his character, so I want to do something really interesting with him. However, he may not be the main villain. I don't know. You'll have to wait and see.
Next chapter will be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!