"Crossroads of the Force" [PG-13] - Chapter Twenty
"CROSSROADS OF THE FORCE"
CHAPTER TWENTY
TATOOINE SYSTEM
From her seat aboard the Alberforce, Padme spotted the red she had become familiar with over the past twenty years loom before her eyes. At last, they have arrived on Tatooine. After nearly a week apart from her children, she looked forward to reuniting with them. Several beeps emitted from the astromech droid that stood nearby. Padme allowed herself a brief smile. R2-D2 seemed happy at the prospect of a reunion with C3-P0.
Padme’s eyes fell upon the somber figure that sat across from her. Poor Obi-Wan. He almost seemed like a ghost of his former self, since Ferus Olin’s death. The funeral for the younger man had been a small, quiet affair. A few mourners - herself, Obi-Wan, Bail, Queen Breha, Captain Antilles and a handful of Jedi refugees - attended the service held within the villa’s private courtyard. Following the service, Master Olin’s body was incinerated on a funeral pyre - just like Master Qui-Gon Jinn’s body, twenty-four years ago on Naboo.
Memories of that long ago day reminded Padme of the little boy she had befriended. She had last seen that little boy as a grown man, engaged in a lightsaber duel against Palpatine’s apprentice. Padme hoped that Bail had been right about Darth Rasche. Or that Anakin was still alive. Speaking of her missing husband, another thought came to her. How long had Voranda Sen and Anakin known each other?
Curious to learn the answer to her question, Padme left her seat and made her way to the Alberforce’s cockpit. She settled in the seat next to the ship’s captain. “You should have remained in your seat,” the red-haired pilot chided. “We’re about to enter Tatooine’s atmosphere, soon.”
“How long have you known Anakin?” Padme asked, quickly getting to the point.
Green eyes widened in surprise. “Anakin? Is that his name?”
“Yes. Anakin Skywalker. How long have you known him?”
Voranda shook her head in disbelief. “That name sounds familiar. Was he a former Jedi, who fought in the Clone Wars?”
Impatience crept into Padme’s voice. “Yes. He . . . he was my husband. And the father of my children. The Jedi never knew we were married, until around the last days of the war.” She paused. “About Anakin, how . . .?”
“I know him as Set Horus, a smuggler from the Outer Rim,” Voranda finally replied. “And he’s also one of the best pilots I have ever laid eyes upon. His partner is a rather handsome young Corellian named Han Solo. He’s also a gifted pilot.”
Set Horus. Padme allowed the name to repeat inside her mind, over and over again. “Do you . . . do you know . . . where he lives?”
Curiosity gleamed in the pilot’s eyes. “Why are you two apart?”
Padme calmly replied, “We were separated during the Emperor’s purge of the Jedi. After I gave birth to Luke and Leia, Master Kenobi and his Jedi master had suggested that I fake my death to avoid being captured by the Emperor. The children . . . it’s possible that they’re also strong in the Force. Like their father.”
A gust of breath left Voranda’s mouth. “I see. Although to be honest, I’ve never known where Set and Han lived. I have usually encountered them at some spaceport or smuggler’s haven.” The Alberforce broke through Tatooine’s atmosphere. The Jundland Wastes loomed below. “However, I will be more than happy to tell Set where you and the children live the next time I see him.” She allowed the Alberforce to smoothly land several meters away from the Lars’ homestead. "But I'll look for them, after I finish a job for Senator Organa on Moorja."
Padme shot a grateful smile at the other woman. “Thank you, Voranda. That would be wonderful.” She glanced ahead and spotted her children and Owen through the cockpit’s window. “Oh look, they’re here.” Padme immediately left the cockpit. Once Voranda lowered the boarding ramp, she rushed down the ramp to greet Leia and Luke. Artoo followed to greet his droid counterpart.
“You made it back,” Owen greeted. “After we had learned that Master Kenobi’s friend was in trouble, Beru and I began to worry about you.”
Leia piped up, “Oh! Looks like he came back with you.”
Padme glanced over her shoulder and saw Obi-Wan disembarking from the Alberforce. She frowned. Could he at least have waited aboard the ship?
“It’s good to see you again, Master Kenobi!” Luke greeted. Obi-Wan responded with a wan smile.
Padme’s frown deepened. “Again? You and Leia have already met Master Kenobi?”
Looking slightly uneasy, Owen answered, “Yes, well . . . um, he and the children had accidentally met at Anchorhead. Which is what led Leia to invite him over for supper.”
“I see.” Padme shot a dark look at the former Jedi Master. Then she smiled at her children. “I hope that you haven’t eaten yet. I’m starving.”
“When Beru and I had learned that you were coming, she prepared enough food us all.” Owen glanced uneasily at Obi-Wan. “You are also welcome, Master Kenobi.”
The former Jedi Master opened his mouth. Padme felt certain that he would reject Owen’s offer. But when both Luke and Leia insisted that he remain, he caved in and accepted the invitation.
Supper turned out to be a mildly entertaining meal, despite the Jedi’s presence. Voranda regaled the twins with tales of her exploits as a cargo pilot. Padme revealed some of the details surrounding their escape from Ord Mantell. She did not mention Anakin. Once supper ended, Obi-Wan announced his intention to depart. Voranda offered him a lift to his dwelling, but turned it down. “The walk is not as bad as one thinks.”
“Perhaps. But there is always the constant danger of Tusken Raiders roaming about,” Voranda insisted.
A sigh left Obi-Wan’s mouth. “If you insist, Captain Sen,” he conceded graciously.
“I will accompany you,” Padme added.
After Obi-Wan politely conveyed his good-byes to the twins and the Lars couple; he, Padme, and Voranda boarded the Alberforce. It took them minutes to reach the former Jedi’s dwelling in the middle of the Jundland Wastes. Voranda remained aboard, while Padme accompanied Obi-Wan off the starship. “I suppose that this is good-bye,” she said. “Who knows when we’ll meet again?”
Obi-Wan nodded. “Yes, I . . .” He broke off with a sigh. “Yes, it might be a long time before we do.”
Padme stared at him. She had endured a lot more in the past two days, yet it was Obi-Wan who seemed exhausted. Strange. “Obi-Wan,” she began in a more sympathetic tone, “I am sorry about Master Olin. He must have been your last link . . . with Master Tasche. Perhaps even the Jedi Order.”
“Yes, his death was very regrettable,” Obi-Wan replied quietly. “But I have learned to put Si . . . Master Tasche’s death behind me.”
Padme added, “And the Jedi Order?”
Obi-Wan glanced sharply at her. “I’m sorry, Milady?”
With a sigh, Padme continued. “As you Jedi may be well aware, Obi-Wan, it is difficult letting go of attachments. Sometimes, I wonder if the Jedi ever realized how difficult it can be. Anakin couldn’t deal with losing me and he compromised himself in the worst way possible by allying himself with the Emperor. I had great difficulty in letting him go . . . even to the point that I was willing to continue the secrecy of our marriage, when he wanted to reveal the truth. And I harbored a deep anger toward you for ten years, because you had lied about him being dead.”
Obi-Wan winced. “I do not understand, Padme. What does this have to do with the Jedi unable to deal with attachments?”
Padme gave him a long look. “Anakin once told me that he had sensed you cared a lot about the Order. Perhaps too much. And I never really understood what he had said . . . until he told me how you had convinced him to spy against Palpatine.”
“Padme . . .”
But the former senator continued. “Perhaps you had believed it was the right thing to do. But I must say that I was amazed that the Jedi would even consider such a thing. And you . . . you went through great lengths to convince Anakin to accept the assignment. Despite your claim that you were against it. The Order must have meant a great deal to you.” Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak. No words came forth. Padme nodded. “I understand. It seemed that in the end, many of us were guilty of unable to let go of our attachments.” She sighed, before giving the older man another long look. A strange sensation came upon her. “You know, I have this odd feeling . . . that we will not set eyes upon one another, again.” She thrust out her hand. “Good-bye, Obi-Wan.”
Sadness crept into the former Jedi Master’s eyes. He took Padme’s hand and bowed over it. “Good-bye, Milady.”
With a nod, Padme turned away and returned toward the Alberforce’s boarding ramp. Within minutes, it lifted from the desert ground and zoomed into the air toward the Lars Homestead . . . and her children.
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LE YER, AREGADO-RAE
The two men and the Wookie strolled across the main lobby of the Triple Nova Casino, attracting a great deal of attention. Many of the casino employees greeted the trio with casual waves, while others merely stared at them - especially at the Wookie.
“Nice to be back again, isn’t it?” Anakin commented. Han responded with a grunt. The older man rolled his eyes. “How long are you going to keep up with this, Han? The Javian Hawk is gone. We have a new ship. Get used to it.”
The young Corellian retorted, “It’s hard getting used to a ship that’s obviously not as good as our old one.”
Anakin sighed. “Don’t you think you’re exaggerating a bit? The Sankara Star seems like a pretty decent ship to me. Give me some credit for knowing how to pick a good ship.”
Incoherent grumbling streamed from Han’s mouth. Anakin ignored it. He perfectly understood what his young partner was trying to say. A growl from Chewbacca produced a glare from Han. “What do you mean that you like our new ship?” the young man protested.
Anakin smiled at the Wookie. “Thanks, Chewbacca.”
The three friends entered one of the Triple Nova’s small lounges, when a female’s voice hailed them. “Set! Han! Over here!” Anakin glanced to his right and spotted the beautiful Twi’lek, Vi’dal Mira, waving at them from a large booth. With her sat Mako Spince. Anakin, Chewbacca and Han joined the pair.
“Since when did you two become a twosome?” Han asked.
Vi’dal shot the younger Corellian a dark look. “There is no twosome. I’ve been sitting here . . . alone when Mako had decided to join me. Where have you two been?”
“Yeah,” Mako added casually, drawing Anakin’s attention. “I haven’t seen you two in nearly a month. Not since Maldare.”
Anakin curtly replied, “Business. The former senator of Maldare had turned out to be our client for a few days. And . . .”
Vi’dal’s eyes widened. “You were on Ord Mantell when the Imperials showed up?”
Han frowned at the Twi’lek. “How did you know about that?”
According to Vi’dal, the HoloNet News had circulated a story about Senator Dahlma being wanted for evading arrest on Ord Mantell. “She’s suspected of being part of a rebel movement against the Empire. Toba Bari was there. He also had a close call.” The Twi’lek pointed at a familiar Gungan pilot, who sat with two Humans and a Rodian in a nearby booth. “So, what happened?”
“Like you said,” Han replied. “We were hired to fly the good senator to Ord Mantell. Only we didn’t know that the Empire was looking for her.”
Vi’dal frowned. “Is she involved in this new rebel alliance?” Anakin and Han exchanged glances. “It was Bari who told me.”
Anakin sighed. “I suppose so. I feel sorry for the Maldarians. After this incident with Senator Dahlma, the Empire is sure to occupy their homeworld.”
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Mako commented. The others stared at him. “What? Have any of you heard the news? It’s been all over the HoloNet for the last three weeks. The Maldarian government has disavowed Senator Dahlma. Even most of her family has. They’re already preparing an election for the new senator.”
It struck Anakin that the citizens of Maldare seemed to be luckier than those from Solipo Yeb’s homeworld . . . or simply smarter.
Loud noises from the casino’s main lobby filtered into the lounge. A Nautolan appeared in the doorway and cried, “A Herglic has just won eight million credits at Spinner-pit! I think he’s gonna break the casino!”
Nearly every soul inside the lounge rushed toward the door. As Mako started to follow Han, Chewbacca and Vi’dal, Anakin grabbed the Corellian’s wrist, forcing him to remain behind. “What the hell?” the younger man protested.
“Sit down, Spince!” Anakin sharply ordered. Mako opened his mouth to retort, when Anakin growled, “Now!”
Fear gleamed in Mako’s eyes. He slowly eased back into the booth. “Wha . . . what do you want, Horus?”
Anakin allowed a cold smile to curve his lips. “Answers to a few questions. You see, when Han, Chewie and I were trying to escape from Ord Mantell, I was informed by Ra . . . an Imperial officer that a spacer on Maldare had informed them of Senator Dahlma’s whereabouts.”
Mako’s face grew pale. “I . . . what does that have to do with me?”
For one long moment, Anakin allowed his eyes to bore deeply into the other man’s. “You were among the pilots interviewed by Senator Dahlma’s aide for the job to Ord Mantell, weren’t you?”
Mako opened his mouth to answer. Then he closed it and shook his head. “No, I don’t . . .”
“Don’t lie to me, Mako,” Anakin growled. “According to Ig . . .” He felt a flash of pain at his near mention of Igraine Colbert. Anakin took a deep breath and continued. “The senator’s aide had told me that you were one of the pilots interviewed for the job.”
A sigh left Mako’s mouth. “Yeah, I did interview for the job. So what? You and Han got it. Is this supposed to make me that person who had ratted on you? How? That senator’s aide never told me where they were planning to go.”
“I know,” Anakin coolly replied. “Han and I didn’t learn about the senator’s destination, until we were about to depart.”
Mako heaved an exasperated sigh. “So what’s the point of this conversation?” He stood up. “I’m leav . . .”
Anakin grabbed the younger man’s wrist for the second time and jerked him back into the booth. “Sit down! I’m not finished with you, yet! I have another question. Did you rat us out to the Imperials?”
“Of course not!” the Corellian protested. “Like I said, How could I have known where . . .?”
“You did know! You were inside the hangar when we left!” Anakin leaned forward and in his most intimidating manner added, “You must have overheard Senator Dahlma tell us where she had planned to go. I saw you.”
Mako inhaled sharply, as his eyes widened in fear. “No, I . . . no, it’s not pos . . .”
“I saw you, Spince!”
Defeat sag the Corellian’s shoulders. “Okay, okay. I admit it. I told that Darth Rasche about your whereabouts. I had no choice!”
Anakin regarded the younger man with contempt. “Really?”
“I’m serious!” Mako cried. He continued with a tale about how one of Senator Dahlma’s servants had hired him for a trip to Ord Mantell. “Someone must have overheard us at the Omega Hole. I suspect that bartender, because my new client and I were surprised by Imperial troops and Lord Rasche, the following morning.” Unlike the senator’s servant, Mako had survived the encounter. Lord Rasche, himself, interrogated the Corellian and learned of Senator Dahlma’s whereabouts. “I tried to keep it a secret, but Lord Rasche had threatened to toss me into prison or worse . . . execute me. Look, I like Han . . . and you.” Anakin rolled his eyes at Mako’s last words. He how little the Corellian liked him. Mako continued, “But surely you don’t expect me to choose your hides over mine. I doubt that you would do the same for me.”
Anakin contemplated Mako’s last sentence and realized that the younger man had been right. He asked, “Why didn’t you simply lie to Rasche? Give him another location?”
Rolling his eyes, Mako retorted, “Are you kidding? This is Lord Rasche we’re talking about! Everyone knows there’s something odd about him. He is believed to be a Sith Lord. Do you really think I’d be stupid enough to lie to someone like that? And there’s always the chance that he might go after my father.”
A sigh left Anakin’s mouth. He sensed that the other man had spoken the truth. “All right. I understand,” he mumbled. “I believe you.” He saw Mako’s body sag with relief. Giving the latter a bright smile, he added in a menacing voice, “You know, it’s a good thing that you had a reason to betray us to Rasche. If you had done it out of spite or greed, I would have eviscerated you . . . and scatter your remains across three systems. But,” Anakin’s smile widened, “I know that you would never be that spiteful.”
To the former Jedi’s delight, Mako’s face became deathly white. Also, the younger man’s hands began to shake.
At that moment, the lounge’s customers began to stream back inside. Anakin noted the disappointed expressions on the faces of many - include Han, Chewbacca and Vi’dal’s. “What happened?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Han replied in disgust. “The Herglic eventually lost all of his money. As usual. You know, I’m beginning to wonder if it had all been act.”
Vi’dal commented, “I wouldn’t be surprised. Little incidents like that tend to encourage casino customers to play the tables more often. You know . . . lead them to believe that they might have a chance to break the casino.”
Toba Bari appeared at the booth, shaking his head in disgust. “Meesa very disappointed. What that about, eh?”
“Con job,” Vi’dal answered. “A show.”
The Gungan grunted. Then he turned to Anakin and Han. “Meesa see you flee Empire. Wheresa you been in past month?”
Anakin replied, “Buying a new starship. After Ord Mantell, Han and I thought it would be best to get a new one. In case the Empire is out looking for us.”
Nodding, Bari replied, “Ver-ry smart. Meesa felt the same. After Moorja. Empire showed up. Bad news. Meesa get out fast. Ver-ry lucky.”
“The Moorja System, huh?” Han commented. “I guess you really was lucky. There have been rumors of an Imperial outpost on that planet.”
Bari heaved a mournful sigh. “Yes. Meesa lucky. Not poor Voranda.”
Silence engulfed the booth, as Anakin and Han stared at the Gungan. “What do you mean?” the former demanded. “Voranda was with you in the Moorja System?”
“Yes.” Bari explained that he had encountered Voranda Sen on Moorja. There they met with some pilots to recruit for the new Rebel Alliance. Before leaving the system, they encountered an Imperial Star Destroyer. “Meesa got out,” Bari continued. “Light speed jump. But not before Voranda go kablooey.” He paused before adding in a sad note, “Boom.”
Anakin sighed. Once more, his eyes met with Han’s. They both knew the meaning behind Bari’s last words. Voranda Sen had been killed by the Empire.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY
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