A/N- Thank you for the reviews! I will be trying to update every few weeks as most of these chapters are written, but want to space them out a bit more.
-GP
Chapter 20
Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palptaine searches for a way to live long past his dying body through cloning technology and his attempts at descendants. One of his " experiments' ' escapes and comes to live a slave's life on Naboo. He will meet and forever his destiny changed by the fateful meeting with none other than one young Naberrie girl…
Location: Senator Rush Clovis' Office, Imperial Senate, Coruscant
Month 4 Day 4 28 BBY
Padme' felt a little giddy as she strolls through the office of Senator Clovis. She had arrived around 0700 hours as he would be in by 0800 and needed any updates on his schedule. She feels elated to be able to work with such a figure as him. Her first day on the job had been three days ago, and had mostly been orientation and a tour of the entire Senate building. Senator Clovis had insisted on his other intern to help her with the ropes.
His other intern's name is Cordyn' or as she liked to be called Corde' didn't seem to like Padme'. Corde' has been working for Senator Clovis for the past year and half. She had half the year left before she'd be finished with her internship and Padme had been very cheerful to meet her. Corde' had been tight and polite but made it clear for now, she'd only be running errands for her which Senator Clovis needed. Padme' hadn't complained about her offer, nor argued with her. She is very curt in manner this morning as she complains, " You're running late this morning, the Senator does like us to be prepared for his meetings."
Padme' drops her small bag onto her desk and glares at the older woman. Corde' is around five foot seven. Her eyes are a deep muddy brown, and Padme' knows her face compared to some would be considered plain. Her dark straight hair is clipped into a tight bun. She wears the colors of reddish orange of the planet of Scipio. Padme' had tried to make friends with her by discussing Naboo.
Corde' commands, " You will need to get the tea and cafe' for his the Senator's meeting this morning. He has an important meeting with-"
Padme' cuts her off, glaring at her, " The Senator's guests arrive at nine so I will make the tea and no cafe'. Senator Clovis does not want to offend the Senator from Malastre as they deem cafe' a poison to someone's body."
Corde' snorts and remarks, " I guess you're not as dumb as your pretty face looks."
Padme' rolls her eyes and remarks back, " And another thing- you're not my boss so stop acting like it. You cannot pull seniority unless you are the Senator's personal secretary. If you continue to snob me, I will report you to him."
Corde's claws are out as she seethes out, " Report me? Oh Ms. Naberrie I'll have to inform you that he will take my word over yours. You're nothing."
Padme' grimaces at her and points out, " Corde' I would suggest you shut your pretty mouth because I'm sure the board of the University would love to know an intern is sleeping with her boss."
Corde's mouth is agape at hearing her secrets being spilled from her mouth. It hadn't been hard to sense between Senator Clovis and Corde' through the force. Her jealousy had been known from day 1 by Padme', but she had tried to keep her cool because it was her first day. Now going on day four of this treatment she isn't going to stand for.
Corde' narrows her gaze and mentions, " I don't know what you are talking about."
Padme' rolls her eyes and mutters, " You two are as open as it comes within this office. I know you are only acting out of jealousy and worry that he's interested in me. Let me tell you this- I am taken and interested in someone already, so you don't need to worry about me taking your man. So can we please work together without any more incidents?"
Corde' blinks stunned by her response. Her eyes seem a bit softer and she asks with a nicer tone. " Tell me of your BO."
Padme' smiles as she stacks datapads on her desk in the order in which the Senator will need to read them. He had mentioned that he has a certain order of the issues that his constitutions need and the laws on the communities he serves on.
Padme' comments, " Anakin really isn't my Bo- we've been best friends since I was 10. We just recently decided to try dating. Anakin is a good man. He's currently training to be an Inquisitor. I believe he will be done at the end of this year."
Corde' raises an eyebrow. " The Inquisitors' have a lot of respect from the Emperor. Good for him. Although don't you think it will be dreadful if you discover what he does on missions.. I've heard horror stories of Inquisitors' killing innocents because they were hiding their force sensitive children- even some past Jedi have been murdered by them."
Padme' bites her lip. The more stories she hears about the Inquisitors' the more her concern for Anakin's well-being she has. But maybe Anakin is stronger than that- strong enough to face this so-called darkness which Padme' has heard of. She hasn't felt it through the force and Anakin hasn't really had time since she's been on Coruscant to train her in the differences. He promised to train her more when his schedule opens up but between classes starting back up, his training with Maul, she hadn't seen him most of the week. He had promised to take her out later this week on a date, but she isn't sure where he'd find the time.
Padme's eyes return to the chrono clock on the wall. She and Corde' need to shift through the Senator's schedule once more before he arrives. They have to make sure nothing has been canceled. It is a lot to learn, but Padme' is up to the task. She'll be here until at least 1700 hours tonight if not later, Corde' stayed until seven or eight. Padme' hopes this job leaves her with some precious time off, as there are only five days in a week. Their days off flux with the Senate's schedule. Tomorrow will be her day off at least in the schedule it is and Padme' will have to study for an exam she will have to turn in on her datapad, leaving not a lot of time for a date….
Padme' wonders if Anakin feels the same about them spending time together. Between her interim job, and classes, can they even find time to see each other? Anakin's schedule sometimes is night shift due to investigations going on within the Inquisitors' headquarters. She wonders what he is up to today. Had he had a shift last night? She honestly doesn't know much about his daily life- only the snippets she has gathered over the last few days they had together.
Location: Qui-gon's Safe House, Coruscant.
Adrenaline pulses through his veins as his feet gracefully slide back onto the mat. The gentle push had come in the direction of his opponents. His lightsaber is blocking any attacks from his front, and his eyes switch back and forth between the two Jedi encircling him. His eyes narrow as he feels the swift change in movement to his left. Obi-wan's blue blade swirls through the air and meets his in a graceful parry. The sizzling of the blades crackles throughout the training room.
His breathing is a bit heavier as he adjusts to the weight of the black suit and armor. His sight is clear in the redness of the mask.
He shoves the blade back into his friend's face, and uses his loss of balance to sweep his right foot into his opponents. Obi-wan lands with a loud smack onto the training mats, and just as he has taken out one opponent, the elder of the three attacks.
His blade is an emerald green and the sound of it is amazing to his ears. He turns and observes his master, lifting his blade down in a swift motion which would decapitate him if he had not blocked the on-coming attack. He grunts under the pressure he feels in the force in both his arms. Hazel's eyes watch the younger man, waiting for the young arrogant apprentice to make his move.
Not this time Master Jinn.
His thoughts are not cocky in manner, nor like Anakin's usual remarks. He senses Obi-wan's movements shifting and back on his own two feet. The kick to the back of his head reaches within inches of him, and as Anakin ducks sensing the kick coming, Qui-gon's blade lowers and his own apprentice's foot reaches his face. Qui-gion's eyes widen as he feels the sting from the sharp kick in the face. As the kick hits the elder in the face, Anakin ducks and slides under his friend's foot and uses his entire body to knock into him. Obi-wan feels his body tip backwards and once again he is on the mat with sharp pain in his chest. His lightsaber is at his side.
Anakin stands to his feet and even though they cannot see his face behind the mask, they sense his determination through the force. His body reeks of sweat through the armor, training in a suit like this uses more stamina, but has helped Anakin build up other techniques such as relying more on his surroundings during a fight, and searching for items to throw via the force. He disengages his saber and takes off the bloody helmet, his vision returning to normal.
He turns and watches his father's reaction. Qui-gion rubs his chin where it is red from where his foot made contact not long ago. He rubs the spot and eyes his younger apprentice murmuring, " I see you are learning well."
Anakin nods and turns back to his friend. He leans forward and offers his hand to his friend. He gladly takes it, wincing as he stands. His breath is coming out in little sharp puffs and the sweat drips down both of their faces.
Qui-gon suggests, " I think we are done training for the day. Good work today gentlemen."
Obi-wan nods to his master and heads to grab his workout bag to head to the shower. Anakin does the same and Qui-gion calls out, " Not you Anakin. I need to speak to you."
Anakin gestures for him to go ahead and he'll catch up with him back at his apartment. Currently they are in the process of moving Anakin's things to Obi-wan's apartment as Inquisitor Maul had insisted on him not being late to his shifts anymore. Obi-wan's apartment is five minutes from the Inquisitors' tower and most nights Anakin deems it best to stay over unless Sabe' is staying the night. He had made the wrong choice the other night and decided at 3am to sleep on Ben's couch… and heard a lot of shouts and moans from the room- something he never wanted to picture in his entire life.
His best friend might be marrying into the Naberrie family, but Sabe' is like his sister. The fact he had heard her moaning in pleasure had made Anakin want to vomit and run the other direction. He had decided to turn up the holo until they were finished. It hadn't been the most comfortable moment when Obi-wan had emerged and apologized for their loudness. After that incident, Obi-wan had insisted he'd call Anakin if Sabe were over.
Anakin's mind wanders to the fact of how far he has come months since beginning training, each day he feels his powers grow within the force. Currently his combative skills are growing as well. Obi-wan had made a quirk about how difficult it is becoming to fight him on his own without help, even in that hideous suit. That is when Master Jinn had determined to continue the challenges of his training to train with them, as he had more experience being one of the only three of them who had been trained in the Jedi Knight arts. Master Yoda knew he was training at least two Jedi in training. The more recruits the better…
Qui-gon gestures to the bench between them and both men sit. Anakin wipes the dripping sweat off his forehead and his cheeks. He questions, " Father?"
Obi-wanis nowhere to be seen as both men hadn't really agreed on to tell him about their complicated relationship at the time. And there has not been down time for the three of them to focus on other matters at hand.
Qui-gon comments, eying the suit. " Your training well in this contraption."
Anakin wipes his face with his towel and grabs the water bottle from his bag. He downs the water before answering. " I feel my reliance on the force is growing. I'm a bit concerned about only using the force instead of my light-saber."
Qui-gon nods but suggests, " Then you need to learn how to throw your lightsaber using the force. I will instruct you tomorrow evening-"
Anakin clears his throat. He murmurs, " Can we take tomorrow night off? I- uh- have plans."
Qui-gon crosses his arms and his expression is one of stone. " Anakin, you have to continue your training to be able to balance yourself in the light and darkness. What is so important about tomorrow night?"
Anakin rubs the back of his head and sighs. He hadn't told anyone of his planned date with Padme'. He hadn't even determined where to take her. They hadn't even been able to discuss this- perhaps putting it off is for the best.
Qui-gon senses his son's nervousness through the force- aimed at a young woman. His gray eyes soften and he comments, " You have finally chosen to make change in your relationship with Padme'."
Anakin nods, knowing his nerves through the force are there. He murmurs, " Yes- I promised her to take her out, but I haven't planned anything."
Qui-gon smiles and pats his son's back. He advises, " Com. and ask her what she'd like to do. It is always best not to choose for the ladies."
Anakin's head bobs in agreement. He had heard Padme' complain about Palo a few times- always choosing the places they went- it was always about what he desired- even when their relationship had ended.
" Thanks Father," He says, smiling brightly.
His father chuckles. " I'm not sure how I helped. Good luck."
Anakin smiles back. " You did. Can we train the following evening? I don't have a shift."
Qui-gon hugs his boy's shoulders and comments. " Of course, son. Now get going before it's too late to call."
He laughs and heads towards the showers.
To Be Continued.
