Anakin's Fortress - Book II (temporary cover)

Forty-three - Thralldom

The harder the battle, the sweeter the war.
Year 14

—————

Anakin

Something is wrong. Maybe not wrong, but off. Kitten has been running around with Jewel for weeks, so when I first got home and she wasn't there, I chalked the feeling up to her absence. But, I've been home for two days now, and have had plenty to keep me busy. The feeling hasn't faded.

Kitten is working on something, probably another baffling invention like Zena. It would explain the faint frustration I can feel from her through the galaxies that separate us.

It's change. Something in the galaxy is shifting. I'm sure Palpatine can feel it too, but he's occupied with the most recent political dishevel. For whatever reason, Bail Organa is making noise for the first time. With Mon Mothma fleeing the Senate and disappearing, you'd think he would keep quiet. He's good at choosing his battles. From what I understand, there's been a session every day for more than a week that have all ended in madness.

If Kitten thought a mild High Command meeting was bad, she'd be appalled by the Senate. Perhaps, if I had looked closer, I would have noted the absence of Jewel's father.

"Sir," a voice comes over my comm. Letty's, I realize, pulling myself out of my wandering brain. "There is an old Citadel-class civilian cruiser requesting to come planetside. Codes are long expired. But he sounds like a kid, sir." She is nervous, more than usual with me. "Uh, he claims his name is Luke Velez."

Amusement flutters through me. He is wise not to use Skywalker, but to use Kitten's last name? It was sure to catch the attention of her team, sure to gain him time and not be immediately detained. And indeed, it did exactly that.

I understand Letty's nerves, however. She's worried she is revealing something about Kitten to me.

But, my humor is brief, because why would he be here? There's no doubt in my mind it's related to whatever unease I'm feeling.

"Direct him to my hangar."

"Yes sir. Do...do you want me to come get him? I can take care of him until she gets back..."

"That's alright. I'll make sure no harm comes to him."

———

Letty wasn't lying, that's one old ship. I expected Obi-Wan to be with him—but he comes off alone with wide eyes and a foot more height than I saw on him last. "Luke, why are you here?" The words are barely out of my mouth when he begins rushing out a response.

"Master Yoda and Master Kenobi left, and they weren't back when they said they would be, and I have a bad feeling about this, Father, I just have a really—" I hold up my hands and he stops, but the look on his face makes me step forward. I pull him tightly to my chest where he relaxes into me. I hold his blonde head against me and inhale his desert scent.

"Hey, it's okay," I say after a few breaths. "It's good to see you, Luke," I say and lean back, my hands on his biceps. It's hard to do a proper greeting when I want to pound him with questions, but I know he deserves it. "Where did you get that ship?"

He shrugs like it's no big deal. "Kat left me a bunch of things she said I could trade if I ever needed to get off planet. There was plenty to buy a ship." Smart woman. Reckless kid. A bit familiar...

"Your aunt and uncle?" I ask hesitantly.

"They'll be furious."

That's what I figured. I run both hands through my hair—where is Kitten when I need her? Okay, alright. I need the facts before anything else.