Star Wars: Second Chance

6: Bonding (but NOT over Opera)

6: Bonding (but NOT over Opera)

The next day, Luke sensed that something big would happen to shift the balance towards dark if he didn't stop it. Now was the time to get Anakin out of the Temple. He was trying to puzzle out how and his action was clearly not on his training.

Anakin snapped his fingers in front of Luke's face. "Hey, what's going on in there?"

Luke blinked then smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I've got too much on my mind. I wish I could go flying to clear it..." he said the last part quieter, more to himself.

"So flying helps you, too?" Anakin asked.

"Yeah." Luke said.

"Well then, let's go fly!" Anakin said.

"Really?" Luke asked.

"Sure. We both need a break. Let's go."

-SW-

Luke and Anakin soared off into the Coruscant sky in borrowed Jedi Fighters. Once they were in the space above the planet, they began to spin their fighters and make crazy maneuvers. They both felt free of responsibility and light for the first time in ages.

"Don't move, Luke!" Anakin said, flying straight for him and banking off at the last second. Luke could hear his father's laughter over the comm. Luke pressed his yoke and flipped his fighter end over end, stopping then flying over to Anakin's ship.

"Good one." Anakin said.

They flew together, fighter wings nearly touching until their comfortable silence was interrupted by the beep of a commlink on Anakin's end.

Anakin sighed. "Just a minute, Luke, I have to get this."

Luke could hear Anakin talking into his commlink. "Yes, sir, I'll be there as soon as I can."

Anakin shut off the commlink and said to Luke, "The Chancellor wants to see me at the Opera House."

The Force flared with alarm and Luke knew this was what he had to prevent. "I'll come with you. He probably wants us to report."

-SW-

After dropping off the fighters, Anakin and Luke went to the Opera House.

They entered Palpatine's box, where he was sitting with Mas Amedda and Sly-Moore, watching the Man Calamari Ballet "Squid Lake."

"You wanted to see me, Chancellor." Anakin asked.

When he saw Luke, Sidious's eyes flashed yellow with rage, but Anakin didn't notice.

"Yes, Anakin! Come closer. I have good news. Our Clone Intelligence Units have discovered the location of General Grievous. He is hiding in the Utapau system." Sidious said.

"At last, we'll be able to capture that monster and end this war." Anakin smiled.

"I would worry about the collective wisdom of the Council if they didn't select you for this assignment. You are the best choice by far ... but, they can't always be trusted to do the right thing." Sidious said with mock concern.

"They try." Luke said.

"Sit down, gentlemen," Palpatine said to the Jedi. "Leave us." Palpatine said to his assistants.

Anakin and Luke sit on either side of Palpatine, making Luke nervous.

"Anakin, you know I'm not able to rely on the Jedi Council. If they haven't included you in their plot, they soon will." Sidious said.