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Star Wars : A Life of Their Own
Chapter Three

* * *

Anakin only had to study the Fahren’s controls for a few moments before things began to make sense. He found the main thrusters and gently lifted the Fahren off the ground. An alarm sounded. He silenced it quickly.
"Something wrong?" asked Qui-Gon calmly.
Anakin shifted uneasily in his seat at the sound of the Jedi Master's voice. He had been ten when Qui-Gon died and it was eerie that this Qui-Gon Jinn matched his memories so well. Qui-Gon even dragged his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, behind him like a shadow. Anakin was almost pleased that his own Master, an older Obi-Wan Kenobi, had so far kept his own counsel on the appearance of a dead Jedi Master. In fact, his master had been unusually passive in the tunnels and allowed Qui-Gon to lead them.

A blinking warning light attracted Anakin’s attention.
"Proximity alarm," he explained. "If we go any higher, we'll hit the roof of the hangar."
"Good thing you remembered to turn on the sensors," muttered Master Obi-Wan.
Anakin couldn't help blushing, "I didn't remember."
"I did," said the woman, Leia. "Once you make that mistake, you don't make it again."
"True," agreed Master Obi-Wan.

Anakin glanced sideways at the strange woman. She was gazing tenderly at a red flower, oblivious to her surroundings. She looked familiar but Anakin could not pinpoint where he had seen her before. If her slapping him was any indication, she wasn't entirely happy with them being here and yet Anakin was certain that it was her voice that had summoned them. Perhaps it was only Anakin that she objected to since she hadn't shown any inclination to strike any of the others.

Stumped for an answer, Anakin returned his attention to the matter at hand. He began to gently guide the ship forward towards the hangar door. The hangar door was still sagging half-open.
"Shouldn't we do something about that?" asked Master Obi-Wan tensely, resting a hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"There must be weapons of some kind here," offered Leia, swivelling in her chair to examine the panels near her.
"No," disagreed Qui-Gon, moving to stand beside Anakin in order to see outside.

Anakin was sure he was imagining the way Master Obi-Wan’s grip on his shoulder tightened every time Qui-Gon spoke.
"The hangar's unstable,” continued Qui-Gon. “The whole building might come down."
"And that would be bad," agreed a new voice.

Anakin took his eyes of the controls to see that the apprentice Obi-Wan had joined them in the cockpit. Anakin stared for a moment, marveling at the mischievous glint in young Obi-Wan's eyes. It was so alive, full of life and free that Anakin wasn't quite sure that it could be the same person.

Anakin tried to remember back to when he had first met Obi-Wan, when Obi-Wan had actually been an apprentice. The young man had seemed to possess a certain light but at the time most of Anakin's attention had been focused on Qui-Gon. It was to Qui-Gon that Anakin owed his freedom from slavery and it had been Qui-Gon who had argued with the Jedi Council for Anakin to enter the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan had been peripheral at first, only important as Qui-Gon's apprentice. Only after Qui-Gon's death did Obi-Wan become an important person in Anakin's life. By then, the sparkle had died...

The sound of Leia's voice abruptly brought Anakin's attention back to the viewscreen.
"The ship might survive if the hanger fell...," suggested Leia but she didn't sound very convinced.
"We'll fit," he said confidently.

Whether the silence from the Qui-Gon and Master Obi-Wan was a sign of agreement or disapproval, Anakin didn’t truly care. His instincts told him that the ship would fit. He nudged the ship forward. The Fahren slid gently under the open hangar door, clearing by bare millimetres on one side.

Once they were outside the hangar, the unexpected sunlight was blinding. Within a second, a misty film formed over the view screen, automatically dulling the glare. It was an expensive feature that Anakin had only ever heard about a couple of times before. He pulled back on a lever and the engine hummed smoothly. The Fahren began to rise swiftly through the atmosphere. As they rose, Anakin could look down at the planet they were leaving.

Immediately below them was a large, sprawling purple forest. The view grew to include a river in the distance and then buildings beyond that. Then it all became a blur as they entered the outer edges of the atmosphere. The ship had moved so smoothly, Anakin had hardly been aware of their height.

As the view of the planet drifted into the blackness of space, the instrument panel began to detect ion cannons and anti-aircraft guns being mobilized to intercept them.
"Where to now?" asked Master Obi-Wan, finally removing his hand from Anakin's shoulder.
"Why don't we ask our host?" suggested Qui-Gon.
The two Jedi turned as one to face Leia. She shifted uneasily at the scrutiny.
"I've entered co-ordinates into the navigation computer,” she offered. “That'll take us to a friendly planet. I'll explain on the way."

Neither of the two seemed happy with that statement. Qui-Gon looked sideways at Master Obi-Wan, possibly trying to ask a silent question. It was a futile gesture since Master Obi-Wan kept his gaze determinedly forward. A puzzled Qui-Gon turned back to Leia.

"We're going to have company soon," spoke up the apprentice Obi-Wan. "Our decision needs to be made quickly."
He indicated the firepower focusing on their position. With little choice, the two older Jedi nodded their agreement and Anakin activated the hyperdrive. The stars around them streaked past and Anakin relaxed back into his seat. There was nothing he could do now until the ship came back out of hyperspace at whatever coordinates Leia had entered.

"Why don't you explain a few things, now," said Qui-Gon politely but with a tone that did not invite argument.
Leia looked uncomfortable, "I'm not absolutely sure..."
"But you have an idea?" prompted Master Obi-Wan pleasantly.
She sighed and leant back into her chair. Still twirling the flower stem between her fingers, she thought about her response.

"I'm Leia Organa Solo," she began. "A New Republic Minister, part of a diplomatic mission to invite the Ekash people to join the New Republic."
"New Republic?" frowned Anakin.
Master Obi-Wan silenced him with a glance. Leia hesitated before continuing.
"I had a feeling that something was wrong," said Leia. "I think that my aides were attacked and then I caught an Ekash trying to sneak into my room. I overheard someone talking. They were interested in my Force sensitivity. I tried to sneak out but they heard me. They were shooting at me so I've no doubt they meant me harm."

Anakin snorted, "You don't say?"
Master Obi-Wan glared until Anakin looked suitably embarrassed and chastised.
"I got away and headed down the river," continued Leia. "Then I took shelter in the mine. At some point I felt... cold. It was probably the mists getting close although I couldn't see them at the time."
"That mine was stong with the Dark Side of the Force," said Qui-Gon.

"It wasn't the mine," disagreed Master Obi-Wan, shaking his head.
His face had tightened at the mention of the mists. He continued in a dull voice, almost talking to himself.
"It was the mists themselves. It's been a long time since I've felt anything that cold. It was like... like being in the presence of a Sith Lord."
"The Sith have been extinct for a millennia," interrupted Qui-Gon, turning to regard Master Obi-Wan with surprise. “The Jedi destroyed them long before our time.”

For the first time, Master Obi-Wan turned to look at Qui-Gon. His eyes were hard and flinty. Qui-Gon blinked at the strong emotion.
"Trust me,” said Master Obi-Wan crisply. “I know what a Sith Lord feels like."
"He's right," agreed Leia. "It was like being in a room with Darth Vader - only worse."

Anakin looked between the Master Obi-Wan and Leia. The two smiled grimly at each other, sharing some understanding. As if a surviving an encounter with a Sith Lord was some sort of rite-of-passage. There was respect there now.

Darth Vader was not a name that was familiar to Anakin but he did not need the Force to know that Leia had mentioned his name reluctantly. Neither was it difficult for Anakin to work out that Master Obi-Wan was referring to Darth Maul. As far as Anakin was concerned, Darth Maul had first appeared on Tattooine and then later during the battle on Naboo. At the time, Anakin had only been about nine years old.

He didn't remember whether or not the Sith Lord had a distinctive presence, only that on Naboo he had slain Qui-Gon and then been killed by Obi-Wan. He had only known Qui-Gon for a period of days but the death had hurt him deeply. At the time he hadn’t really considered how difficult it was for Obi-Wan, who had known him for twelve years. Perhaps it was Qui-Gon’s death and Darth Maul that had caused the sparkle in Master Obi-Wan's eyes to fade.

Anakin locked gazes with Apprentice Obi-Wan, looking to see where he stood in the dispute. At first, the younger Obi-Wan shared Anakin's confusion but then seemed to shrug it off. He rolled his eyes and gave Anakin a look that was easily recognisable.
"Who knows what they're talking about?" the look said. "I'll mind my own business until somebody gives me an order."
Anakin snickered in agreement, earning him another warning glare from his master.

Qui-Gon looked unsettled, "Are you saying that a Sith Lord has turned himself into a form of mist?"
"No," said Master Obi-Wan. "It was more like some kind of ghost. And it wasn't friendly."
Qui-Gon turned back to Leia, "Have there ever been Sith Lords on that planet?"
Leia shrugged helplessly, "Not that I know of but that doesn't mean much. The history of it is not well known."
"What happened next?" asked Qui-Gon.

Leia took a deep breath, "I felt warmth and I found those jewels, crystals... whatever they were. Then the mists attacked. I was frightened, I started calling for help. I even called to people I knew were dead. Next thing I knew, you four had appeared."
"People who were dead...," muttered Master Obi-Wan, glancing at Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon frowned at the unusual glance, puzzled at the attention.
Master Obi-Wan forestalled any questions by speaking to Leia, "What do you think happened?"
Leia hesitated again, "I think maybe the people I called came to help me, somehow."
Qui-Gon looked skeptical, folding his arms across his chest. Anakin exchanged a glance with Master Obi-Wan. They both knew that Qui-Gon had been dead until less than an hour before.

"Who did you call?" asked apprentice Obi-Wan, genuine curiosity in his voice.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker... my father," said Leia quietly.
Anakin was so busy watching the reactions of Master Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon that he almost missed the last part of the sentence.

He leaned forward in the chair, "Could you say that again?"
"I said I called to General Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker was my father, before he died," repeated Leia.
Anakin stared at her. Father. Before he died. Well, it was hardly likely he was a father after he'd died so that part made sense. The rest of it was less comprehensible.
"I'm your father?" he asked tentatively.
"I don't know that,” said Leia defensively. “I know that Anakin Skywalker was my father’s name and that he's been dead for more than ten years."

He knew his mouth was open but there was little he could do about it. He looked Leia up and down again, concentrating and memorizing. He took in her small shape, the soft brown eyes, the long, brown hair and the pale skin. A few pieces fell into place, the answer as to Who came to mind though he still had no luck with the How. "Padme?" he gasped.
Leia's eyebrows raised a notch, "She was my mother."

"You called to us," spoke up Apprentice Obi-Wan. "I heard you calling and I came to help."
"And I came with you," said Qui-Gon.
Leia turned to look at the apprentice Obi-Wan, "You're Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

The apprentice nodded, warily. Anakin supposed he was wondering if there were any of his children waiting to pop out of the woodwork. Leia stared hard at Apprentice Obi-Wan for a few minutes before sighing.
"I'll have to take your word for it,” she admitted. “General Kenobi worked for my father before I was born. I only ever saw him from a distance, I’m afraid."
"Pleased to meet you, then, Miss Solo," said Apprentice Obi-Wan pleasantly, obviously deciding that utter confusion was no excuse for bad manners.

"Mrs Solo," Leia corrected. "And I'm pleased to meet you too."
"I am Qui-Gon Jinn," said Qui-Gon, catching Leia's attention. "Obi-Wan's Master."
"Pleased to meet you, Master Jinn."

Master Obi-Wan was openly frowning now, "Did you say that General Kenobi was working for Anakin Skywalker?"
Leia frowned, "No, he was working for my father."
"I thought you said Anakin Skywalker was your father."
"Oh..." Leia paused with her mouth open and then flushed. "General Kenobi worked for my adoptive father, Senator Bail Organa. I have always thought of him as my father."

Master Obi-Wan smiled, not only satisfied by the explanation but obscurely pleased with it. Anakin remembered that Master Obi-Wan and Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan had recently become friends. Anakin knew that the two men got on well together. What he had trouble understanding was why Obi-Wan would ever leave the Jedi to be a General.

Neither could Anakin understand why Bail Organa would be the one to raise the daughter of Anakin Skywalker. Was Anakin such a miserable father that somebody else had to take over? His fingers screwed up the edge of his cloak, misery choking him. Then another possibility occured to him and he forced himself to calm down.

Maybe Anakin had been killed, maybe he'd died in a heroic adventure. The prospect of dying seemed better than failing and Anakin could relax again. It also explained why Leia might be angry at him, she probably had abandonment issues. He wasn't sure what to make of her excuse that she thought Anakin was responsible for the death of someone she knew. He tried to catch her eye, to try and confirm any of his guesses but she was deliberately looking away.

Instead, Leia turned to Master Obi-Wan, "I guess you would followed Anakin then."
Master Obi-Wan nodded, looking thoughtful, "I’m Anakin’s Master."
Leia nodded politely, paused a second to wait for an introduction. Before Master Obi-Wan could provide one, she frowned.
“Strange, Luke told me that Anakin Skywalker was taught by Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Master Obi-Wan nodded in confirmation, looking at Qui-Gon and Apprentice Obi-Wan to gauge their reactions. Leia's eyes widened and she looked at the apprentice Obi-Wan and then back at Master Obi-Wan.
"This is turning into one of those days," she said, throwing her hands up in a gesture of exasperation.
Both Qui-Gon and apprentice Obi-Wan frowned at Master Obi-Wan. He quirked an eyebrow back at them, almost daring them to question him.

"I think we ought to go see my brother," said Leia, weary now. "He should be back on Coruscant by now."
Anakin nodded automatically and then stopped. If Leia was his daughter, that made her brother...
He looked inquiringly at her.
She nodded at him, "Yes. You have a son too, named Luke."

A shrill whistle announced that they were approaching their destination and would soon leave hyperspace. Anakin turned his attention back to the control panel. He eased them gently back to into real space, determined to deal with his confusion later.

* * * * *

Emalda glared at Natheb, "There are other ways to do this."
Natheb ignored her obvious anger, "Just do it, Emalda. I don't have time for your tantrums."
Emalda continued to glare, her arms crossed. Natheb returned the glare impatiently.
"Look," broke in Georeb. "We need bait, we can't use the aides - the Minister will know they've been captured. We can use the aides to get some decent bait and then use the bait to get the Minister. Nothing will go wrong and if it's successful..."

Georeb looked pleadingly at her. She knew Georeb would never let her get hurt but…
Emalda glanced at the room beyond, fighting down a familiar surge of panic. She would not give into her anger, she told herself, even if she had to put up with a bastard like Natheb. She would not end up like Yalana, scratching and clawing like a deranged animal.

Besides, Georeb was right. If this was successful, it would be the last time she would ever do it. Keeping her head held high, Emalda walked willingly into the next room. Natheb and Georeb followed, watching her cautiously.
The first few times this had happened, Emalda had bolted in terror from the room. Obviously unwilling to believe that she was cooperating, Natheb made sure to block the exit. The room was small and unassuming, relatively benign, as rooms tend to go. It was what was inside that worried Emalda. A cold, smooth chair sat in the middle of the room. Beside it sat a large round machine, bearing an absurd resemblance to a spinning top. Staring fixedly ahead, Emalda sat down stiffly in the chair.

Satisfied that Emalda was not going to cause a scene, Natheb approached and placed electrodes against her skull. Emalda shut her eyes, her courage only carrying so far. She knew what she would see - the machine beside her slowly starting to rotate as soon as it detected her through the electrodes. They pulled at her hair painfully but Emalda refused to show her discomfort.

As the machine began to rotate faster, Emalda could feel the telltale tug on her mind. She could feel the Force energy being sucked through her and into the lifeless machine. As always, she couldn't find the strength to speak but if she could, she would have been cursing Natheb. She felt Georeb take her hand and squeeze it reassuringly.

When Natheb was convinced that the machine had enough energy, he motioned to Georeb. Emalda felt a last squeeze before Georeb reluctantly released her hand. He left the room but soon returned with a prisoner, one of the aides left behind on Leia's recent visit. The aide was a bothan whose name Emalda could not remember. The Bothan wore a stubborn expression but was comically unsure where to direct it, turning first to Emalda, then to Georeb and finally to Natheb.

"You will ask Han Solo to come to Ekara," said Natheb firmly.
"For the last time... I will not," answered the Bothan defiantly.
"Then I shall have to make you."
Natheb turned away, missing the fear that shone briefly in the Bothan’s eyes. By the time Natheb had turned back, the Bothan was once again defiant.

Natheb picked up a pair of headphones and slipped them over the Bothan's ears while Georeb plugged the other end of the headphones into the rotating machine.

Emalda had never heard the sound that played through the headphones and she never wished to. The Bothan went cross-eyed and began to sway on her feet. Emalda swallowed, her own dizziness taking her over. She fought to stay conscious and keep watching Natheb, Georeb and the Bothan.

The Bothan fought for longer than anybody else Emalda had ever seen. Still, in less than a minute, the Bothan's face assumed a slightly blank expression. Natheb waited patiently for a few more seconds before removing the headphones.
"You will ask Han Solo to Ekara," repeated Natheb.
"I will ask Han Solo to come to Ekara," echoed the Bothan, dazed.
Natheb could not hide his triumphant smile as he signalled for Georeb to bring a commlink. Natheb’s plan was working and he even felt generous enough to turn his smile on Emalda. She could see his lips moving but she couldn’t hear him. She was beginning to pass out when she saw Natheb turning off the machine and Georeb returning to her side. Before she lost consciousness completely, Emalda vowed to herself that it would be the last time she would ever see this room.

THE END OF PART THREE

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