What Could Have Been Part 2: Anakin's Trials

Lending a "Han"

Please excuse the cheesy title. ^^

Anakin

      Just outside the mysterious walls of the base, Anakin crouched behind the treetops. Evening was falling quickly as the grey clouds of Felucia thinned. A dark orange sky painted across the sky made Anakin all the more weary of his journey. He surveyed the ground like a predatory bird, ready to strike. Focus.
      How would he get in? He had no army. No team. And no time. He sensed the dark presence sending warnings to his brain, like a sixth sense. Leia was in danger.

       "Master Yoda, if you have any Force to spare, I'm in desperate need of some," he said barely aloud. Yoda's froggy voice almost startled him out of the tree, "Accept the help of others you should. Close by, an ally is. Hmm?" Anakin perked up, "Master Obi-wan?" he asked hopefully. Yoda seemed to Force shake his head, "Considered this ally you have not. No, but soon... help you he will," Yoda explained.

      Before Anakin could think to furrow his eyebrows, a blaster fire jolted him from his hiding spot. He dove from the tree and landed in a ready stance, his saber humming and blue. "Show yourself!" he demanded with a growl. A boy stepped forward from the shadows with a blaster at his feet and his arms in the air. "Whoever shot that, it wasn't- Oh hello Mr. Leia's Dad!" a voice greeted with relief. Anakin stood up and lowered his lightsaber. He recognized this boy. "Han?" he asked gruffly, although he was just as glad to see him. Han didn't bother with pleasantries, but looked Anakin dead in the eye. "I'm so sorry Sir, but Leia's in trouble."

      Anakin kept his sword ignited, "Where is she?" he asked tightly. Han frowned and picked up his blaster, though still keeping an eye on Anakin. "In there," he answered, pointing his gun toward the metal wall that was less than twenty yards away. Anakin set his jaw, "Don't you think I know that?" he snapped. His menacing glare must have intimidated the boy because he eased back slowly. Anakin sucked in a breath through clenched teeth, "Sorry," he mumbled quickly, "Do you know how to get in?" he asked. Han beamed, "Do Wookies tear people's arms off?" Anakin cocked his eyebrow, "Uh..."

     The young boy smiled as he nodded over his shoulder, "Follow me!"

     As he took off around the corner, Anakin paused and smiled, "Thanks Yoda," he said under a chuckle.

     Padme

     There wasn't a lot to do at the Alliance Base. If you weren't a pilot, a Jedi, or a member of the Committee of the Alliance, there was even less you could do. If you were a thought-to-be-dead Senator from a star system on the other side of the galaxy, there was nothing you could do.

      Nothing of course, except do what you aren't supposed to do.

      The base was made up of five main buildings along the perimeter whose purpose Padme didn't care much about. However, in the middle, sat a fat building that Obi-wan had explained to be the Commitee building. Might as well see how the New Order is doing... She thought curiously.

      "You're not authorized to attend the private meeting of the Commitee," a chrome plated protocol droid informed her rudely. Outside the doors of the chamber, Padme frowned, "You probably don't know who I am. My name is Padme Skywalker. My husband is a Jedi Knight," she explained, emphasizing Skywalker to its fullest extent. If droids could scoff, this one did, "Exactly why you are not allowed into this meeting. The Commitee is discussing the launch of Strike K18. I was given orders not to allow Mrs. Padme Amidala Skywalker in while the meeting is in progress." Padme narrowed her eyes, "By who?" she demanded with her senator voice returning. The droid responded instantly, "By Master Mace Windu, Head of the Commitee of the Alliance."

      That Nerf herder. Padme felt her blood simmer as she stared down the droid. "Listen, my son, my daughter, and my husband are somewhere out in the Force knows where, probably inside the same base that your Strike K18 is supposed to destroy! If the Commitee thinks they can launch that strike before my family is back here safe and sound, then they're messing with the wrong woman!" she growled, the whole time through gritted molars. The droid stood frozen. Maybe it had turned off. Finally, it fidgeted awkwardly, even for a droid, "Very well... I suppose you may enter..."

      Padme smiled politely, "Thank you," she said sweetly.

      The Commitee Hall was like a miniature Galactic Senate. Only no floating senators discussing the creation of an Army of the Republic. Those were the days...

      Mace was the center of the chaotic room. "If Rett Lisban refuses to retreat, we will have no choice but to launch our squadron whether Anakin Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi have returned or not!" he announced to the uneasy crowd. A wave of commotion erupted the representatives as Padme watched from the a balcony. She shivered as she remembered the name Rett Lisban. He was a close member of Chancellor Palpatine's Circle of Advisors. Like Padme,  very young to be in such a high rank of authority. The only thing she knew about him was that he had disappeared after the Great Collapse.

      "But who will launch the attack if not Obi-wan?" one woman in regal robes asked. Mace stared hard at her, "If Master Kenobi does not come back," he said slowly, "Then I will lead our men myself."

     Padme but her lip. He can't mean that. Bail Organa of Alderaan stepped forward, "Skywalker and Kenobi will return. We have to have faith in them. Besides, we must think of the young Skywalkers. Sacrificing them for revenge against Lisban is in no way humane!" he protested. Padme was greatful that someone still cared about her family. Bail had always been a close friend of hers.

     "What will the Senator say if she finds out we are planning to launch the attack?" an elderly man inquired wearily. The crowd murmured softly at the mention of the Senator. Padme clenched her fists. She knew they were talking about her. "I hope it will not come to that," Mace answered lowly, "However, if it does, Senator Amidala is not to know of it," he finished. Padme could not watch any longer. She stepped forward and released a hot breath, "And what if she does know about it?" she asked Mace Windu as well as the crowd. All eyes turned toward her with startled and vaguely embarrassed faces. Except for Mace. "Senator Amidala, your opinion is not necessary at this moment," he rebuked. Padme could tell what he really meant was "get out" but she didn't care. "How can it not be? Commitee of the Alliance, you are here to decide the fate of this government as well as that of my family. Master Kenobi has promised his return so that he may lead your strike. Is that worth nothing to you?" she asked desperately. Mace waved her away, "Padme," he said cooly, "at this very moment, Rett Lisban is beginning an assault against the Alliance to wipe us out. This base as well as thousands of lives could be lost if we do not react quickly. Meanwhile, you expect us to wait for four people?"

     Padme's face reddend, "My family, and if I'm not mistaken, your friend are out there!" she pressed. Master Windu seemed at his end, "Senator, for the past eleven years you have been the center of Anakin Skywalker's universe, thus making yourself the center of our universe. We've been more than patient with you but have you ever thought that there have been others who needed him? Have you ever thought that it was time to make a few sacrifices of your own?" he asked with stone in his voice. Padme stood silently.

      The room watched her leave.

      She walked out of the hall in downcast. Her family was gone. She was alone in a place that despised her. After eleven years, she was all alone.

      But that wasn't going to stop her from finding her family.