A/n- Thank you for the new follower and reviews! Happy Memorial Day! This is where the story is going to diverge a lot from the last version, but I promise it will be staisfying. Please keep in mind that this is more of a slow burn version of Ani/Pad. Also please note the timeline: There are 10 months in the calendar used by the republic/empire- 35 days with 3 holidays winter, spring and summer fetes. The BBY stands Battle Before Yavin, but I only use that as to where it would take place if it happened in the original universe.

Chapter 5-Imperial Invitation

Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palpatine 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: Imperial Academy, Coruscant

Year: Month 6 Day 5 Year 29 BBY

Admiral Jinn yawns as he listens to members of the council continue to bicker and debate about the new candidates upcoming for the next semester. The council members had been at it since 7am and had only briefly adjourned for lunch around noon. Now, it is half past six and all Qui-gion can think about is his dinner plans that he had made with his old master Dooku. They had planned on meeting at Shurra's Cuisine around 8, as Dooku's duties with the other Inquisitors usually ended later on days like these.

Days like these meant the Rebellion is at it again. The flourishing rebellion, led by many members including former Jedi Master Yoda, had bombed a local base near the outskirts of the Mid Rim. Qui-gon paid more attention to those reports hoping to not hear the names of those he had led to join the rebellion's cause over his years at the academy. There had been a few who had been killed on missions such as these, but those had not been successful. The rebellion had been a thorn in their side of the old aging Emperor for a decade now. Qui-gon enjoyed hearing of these successful small wins for the rebellion, but he also knew the Inquisitors were busy hunting down not only rebel spies, but force sensitive ones at that.

Inquisitors are notorious in the galaxy. At one time, Qui-gon had been one himself. He had hunted down many brethren from the Jedi who had escaped order 66. Many had died by his own blade and that of his master's. He had been young and too afraid of the consequences if he did not follow the ways of the new government and Sith Master. But 30 years in the Imperial Navy had an effect on him. He had transferred to the Imperial Academy 20 years ago, after the destruction of the cloning labs here on Coruscant.

Since their destruction, the Kamionans have been forced to try and clone off-world as it had become public knowledge that the Emperor had been attempting to clone himself at the time. His PR relations had said it was for health reasons and not to alarm others that he was trying to live forever. He had only needed a donor for an organ transplant. Most of the public had gone back to their silence, but Qui-gon hadn't. He had started training young force sensitives at the Academy who were in search of more. Some of them chose to resign from their responsibilities after several years of serving within the Inquisitors and some had flown under the radar with falsified midichlorian counts- namely like a young recruit- Obi-wan Kenobi.

Obi-wan had started the year prior at the Academy and was in his second year of training. In their second year at the academy, they chose their speciality. Obi-wan is a highly trained cadet and has chosen the path of becoming an instructor here to train the new recruits. He is hoping that he can help his Master find more loyal and powerful force sensitives that are willing to train in the Jedi ways and help the rebellion. Very few of Qui-gon's recruits had made it to any rank within the Inquisitors. Either they eventually turned to the darkside or finished their agreed terms within the Imperial Navy and agreed to live a quiet life on their home planet, or have a family. Most of those who chose to leave, usually broke their agreement with the Imperial Navy and joined the Rebellion in some form. But none had been powerful enough to withstand the Inquisitor's career for more than a decade.

Admiral Tarkin points out, " The next candidate is from Naboo. His scores on the piloting sections of the test are very high. His academics are within the limits of the academic policies and he is a former slave. He'd make a fine candidate for the Piloting squad once he is accepted into the Academy."

Qui-gon's eyes focus on the picture that has crossed his datapad. The young man is around 19 standard years of age. His blonde wavy hair spikes at the ends and those blue eyes stare back into his own gray ones. His breathing holds as he reads the name under the picture.

Anakin Skywalker-

born 48 BBY .

Birthplace: Tatooine.

Homeworld: Naboo

Skywalker. He thought he'd never hear of that family name again. He knew of only one person in the galaxy who shared that name. A woman he spent most of his years trying to scout the galaxy for and here was a boy- no- a young man that shared her last name.

He is of the right age and his birth month as well. His breathing is labored knowing the truth staring him in the face. If Anakin were to join the Academy, it wouldn't be long for the Inquisitors to become interested in him and he wouldn't be able to resist the darkness without aid.

" Admiral Jinn, what do you think of this candidate?" Admiral Tarkin asks, annoyed.

His eyes drift up to that of the younger man. He is after all highly respected for the candidates he supports. He could disapprove of this boy's application to the Imperial Navy. He could keep him safe from the grips of the Empire- but would it be enough? Or is this boy the savior they all needed? He could after all be the heir to the Empire. Shmi had never been sure of the date of conception. It could also mean he's putting his own son in danger. But it could also mean he could get to know the young man that could actually be his flesh and blood. Qui-gon has never ever yearned to be a father, but he had fallen in love with the young Shmi and they had shared several nights together in his bed within the labs. She had been the reason he had turned from the darkness and had chosen to become a Jedi once more- and to fight for the Rebellion- within the Empire. And he could help train the young man- he could be the defining powerhouse needed to outwit the Empire once and for all.

" Admiral Jinn, we are waiting on your decision. Are you in agreement or not?" Admiral Tarkin says in a louder voice, knocking Qui-gon out of his thoughts.

He places his datapad down and acknowledges the annoying Admiral sitting across from him. He sighs knowing his words will change the course of Anakin's destiny forever. " I think he is an acceptable candidate. Perhaps he will specialize in engineering. His experience with engineering courses at the local university and working on speeders show excellence. We need new generations of engineers on our star destroyers."

Admiral Tarkin rubs his chin in agreement. " Yes- interesting. Well then- his letter of acceptance will be sent within the week."

And just like that he placed the fate of a young man on a path, he hopes won't lead him to the dark side.

Location: Theed, Naboo

Month 6 Day 8 Year 29 BBY

Padme exhales and inhales, listening to the quiet around her. She can hear the quiet of the woods surrounding the mansion. She can feel the soft grass between her toes. She stretches out her senses within the force- just as Anakin has taught her. The world above and below her comes alive with color in her mind. She can sense the different birds above her, some nestled with their newborn babies as spring has sprung. Naboo comes alive before her, and she searches for the one signature she's trying to find; the comforting presence within the force. She senses the meadows lurking grasses within their life signature. And then- yes! She stretches out her senses again and brushes his through their bond. She feels the gentle tug on their bond in pride.

Found you again

You're getting the hang of this.

Yep.

She opens her eyes, not disconnecting with the force as she usually does at times. She eyes the few rocks near their favorite spot and attempts at making them " dance in the air". She reaches out, almost yearning to touch them. One of the bigger rocks begins to float in the air on her command. She focuses her strength on both rocks and holds both several inches in the air. She uses the force to stack them in one gray rock pile, gently stacking one by one. She continues this until she feels the chill down her spine.

" You're a fast learner." He remarks from behind her.

She jumps out of her skin, as she hadn't been quick enough to sense his movements from his spot. He laughs and helps her up from her seat on the wild grasses. They have been out here training for several hours, which at least Padme' had a bit of time for. Her university classes are over until the summer semester begins, as she had requested to take such courses so she could possibly graduate from the legislative program sooner than expected.

Padme' sighs as she watches the newly built rock stack fall over as she had let go of them via the force. She has come a long way in her abilities since she asked Anakin to train her in the force with what knowledge he possesses. She hadn't known how much of life she was missing out on until Anakin had opened her up to the world using the knowledge of the force. She uses the force for small things such as shutting the door, and sensing someone's presence. And still- there are times she has had prophetic dreams. Namely she had had one the day Dorme' had met Senator Bail Organa at one of Katrina's galas. Dorme' had become smitten with the man who was ten years her senior at best.

In her dream, Padme' had seen Dorme' living in a beautiful world which was one city. Dorme' had seemed a bit older and she had been holding a bouncing baby boy with dark black curls and eyes the same as his mother's. It hadn't been too long ago that the Senator had proposed to Dorme' and now they are set to marry at Winter Fete, here on Naboo. But Dorme is at the age at which most Nabooian women do either of two things: 1. They choose to settle on their careers or 2. They choose to find someone to settle down and start a life with. She is, after all, 20 years old and very wealthy in her own right. She had come into her fortunes within. However, she had agreed that she did not want the financial responsibility of maintaining the mansion as to where she had lived all her life. Instead, she chose to take her wealth left by her father and gave her Uncle Ruwee and Aunt Katrina her childhood home and grounds. The Mansion would be left to be divided upon its assets to all four of the girls if Ruwee and Katrina both passed or it would be left to their grandchildren.

She eyes her best friend from where he is standing by the speeder. He has grown into manhood, as his face had begun to fill out and no longer as the young boy she had become so close to. He had been working out with several of his friends to train for the Imperial Academy over these past few months. No young woman had taken their eyes off the aspiring cadet as he had had several " spring flings" as his buddy Arian had called them. Padme tried to ignore their joking about her friend, as yes- she too noticed he was grown up now. And yes- even she would admit in the back of her mind how handsome he had become. But she would never admit that to her friend! Force no! He saw her as the little sister he had never had, and looked out for her.

He had even chased away a boy who had crushed on her this past year at the university, knowing he was just trying to get into the 17 year old's graces to get her into bed. It isn't that she doesn't care about dating, she's more focused on her career ahead of her. Even though she's considered an adult in her culture, she has much growing to do on her journey. Within the next year, she has to finish her legislative classes before beginning to apply for internships here on Naboo. There were some internships off-world within the Senate on Coruscant, and even Bail had told her he'd hire her immediately after graduation to do her internship. She had told him she felt that she needed to work just as hard and apply just like everybody else to the Senate's candidates for interns when she is ready. She didn't need any favors coming from future cousin-in-laws. That didn't mean she wouldn't apply to his position directly, but it didn't seem fair to any other candidates for her to just get approved because they are soon to be family.

And then there's her best friend. He leans against their tree, watching his datapad with an eagerness she hadn't seen since the podrace last year. He is awaiting news from the Imperial Academy. His rejection or acceptance letter will change the course of their friendship in ways she is terrified of. If he is accepted, then he'll be headed off to Coruscant within the next two months and she won't see him until Winter Fete, and after that Summer Fete, if he is allowed his annual leave. They can write to each other, but to have her best friend not beside her is a lonely road she isn't sure she's ready to handle.

On the other hand, if he is rejected from the Imperial Academy, what sort of life can he lead on Naboo? His talents of piloting and engineering are vast and he'd have to look off-world for a decent paying job in those fields. He can become a pilot in Naboo's small fleet of ships, but Anakin's talents should not be squandered by having to stay put.

His blue gaze scans his datapad on any updates that could bring him one step closer to joining the Imperial Navy. He had dreamed about being part of the Navy from the time he was a young boy. He had learned from space pilots on Tatooine of the terrifying Inquisitors from the Core Worlds. He had also learned about the adventures of one Qui-gon Jinn- a former Jedi who had turned against the traitors and become a loyal Hero on his own adventures over his career. Anakin knows he is one of the lead Admirals that oversees the Imperial Naval Academy. It is his dream to meet his hero. He yearned to become such a high-esteemed soldier and be a loyal citizen to the Empire.

His fingers pause on his inbox as he notices there is a new message. He gulps and presses the tab to open up the letter addressed to him. He scans it and Padme notices the silence encroaching on their delightful afternoon. She watches his face go from concerned to pure clear elation. He sputters out, " I- I got in."

Her eyes widen and she leaps from her sitting position on the grass and scans the datapad and rereads the acceptance letter that he had just read. He steps back as she reads it and she can feel her heart drop. Her best friend is leaving her- off to his own adventures- just like Dorme' would be at the end of the year.

She plasters the best grin she can without giving away her hurt though their bond. She wraps her arms around his waist and pulls him into a tight hug. She murmurs against his chest, " Congratulations Ani."

He holds her tighter and murmurs, " I can't believe I got in. I didn't think I stood a chance."

She shakes her head against his chest and murmurs back, " Of course you did. You deserve this. I'm proud of you."

He smooths her hair down and chuckles. " What are you going to do without me?"

It is merely a joke, but her heart drops. What will she do without him?

To Be Continued