The Dragon in the Dying Star

𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚

Chapter XIV: Petranaki Arena

Even the two blazing Tatooine suns could not brighten the somber mood, the tangible grayness permeating the air, around the new grave outside the Lars compound. Two old headstones marked the ground next to the new one, a poignant reminder of the difficulties of life on the harsh world of Tatooine. The six of them - Cliegg, Anakin, Dejah, Padme, Owen, and Beru - had gathered, along with C-3PO, to bid farewell to Shmi.

"I know wherever you are, it's become a better place," Cliegg Lars said, and he took a handful of sand and tossed it on the new grave. "You were the most loving partner a man could ever have. Good-bye, my darling wife. And thank you."

He glanced briefly at Anakin, then lowered his head and fought back tears.

Anakin stepped forward and knelt before the marker. He picked up a handful of sand and let it slip through his fingers.

"I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom," the young man said, suddenly feeling more like a boy. His shoulders bobbed once or twice, but he fought to regain control, and took a deep and determined breath. "I wasn't strong enough. But I promise I won't fail again." His breathing came in short rasps as another wave of grief nearly toppled him. But the young Padawan squared his shoulders and determinedly stood up. "I miss you so much."

Dejah came forward and put her hand on Anakin's shoulder, and all of them stood silent before the grave. The moment held only briefly, though, broken by a series of urgent beeps and whistles. They turned as one to see R2-D2 rolling their way.

"What is it, Artoo?" Dejah asked. The droid whistled frantically.

"It seems that he is carrying a message from someone named Obi-Wan Kenobi," C-3PO quickly translated. "Does that mean anything to you, Master Ani?"

Anakin squared his shoulders. "What is it?"

R2-D2 beeped and whistled.

Dejah frowned. "Retransmit?"

"Why, what's wrong?" Anakin added.

"He says it's quite important," C-3PO observed.

With a look to Cliegg and the other two, silently seeking their permission, Anakin, Dejah, Padme and C-3PO followed the excited droid back to the Naboo ship. As soon as they got inside, R2 beeped and spun, and projected an image of Obi-Wan in front of them.

"Dejah, Anakin, my long-range transmitter has been knocked out," the Jedi's hologram explained. "Retransmit this message to Coruscant." R2 stopped the message there, with Obi-Wan seeming to freeze in place.

Dejah looked at Padme. "Patch it through to the Jedi Council chamber."

The senator stepped over and flipped a button, then waited for confirmation that the signal was getting through. She nodded to Dejah, who turned back to R2. "Go ahead, Artoo."

The droid gave a beep, and Obi-Wan's hologram began to move once more. "I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries of Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala."

Padme and her Jedi protectors exchanged knowing glances, none of them very surprised by that information. Padme thought back to her meeting with Typho and Panaka on Naboo, before she had left for Coruscant with Dejah, secretly escorting the doomed starship. "The Commerce Guild and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an-"

The hologram swung about. "Wait! Wait!"

They cringed as droidekas appeared in the hologram along with Obi-Wan, grabbing at him and restraining him. The hologram flickered, then broke apart. Anakin jumped up and rushed at R2-D2, but pulled up short, realizing that there was nothing he could do.