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| - After six months on Bandomeer Obi-Wan was still able to wonder how his memories had fooled him. He had remembered Bandor—capital of Bandomeer—to be somewhat larger than it was. But more likely it was just that he had grown up since his last visit on the mining planet. He still didn’t know how exactly Si Treemba had done the trick but the Arconan had been able to arrange him to became supervisor of deep ocean mining operations. Even more surprised Obi-Wan was that Si had actually been able to talk him to take up the position. But he had. And now Obi-Wan spend most of his time aboard mining rafts. At first he had been surprised to see the change that had gone over on the rafts during the years. After the first shock he had just been impressed by the progress. Si had told him that when the Offworld had collapsed the Homeplanet Mining Corporation had easily been able to take over all mining projects on Bandomeer. Homeplanet had later changed its name to be long-term development mining project. And now Si Treemba—an Arconan who usually never did anything alone—was their sole leader. There was another great difference in Bandor, Obi-Wan noticed while he walked across the city, it seemed much cleaner than before. Many buildings showed proof of recent repainting and the walkway was no longer buried under dirt. The clothes other pedestrians wore were also less ragged than they had once been. Obi-Wan smiled. Oh, yes, Si Treemba and his mining project had done a great job. And Obi-Wan was proud to be part of it. He reached the house where he lived with Si, Anakin, Padmé and the twins. His mind reached ahead of him and he felt the touch of their minds—Anakin’s concentration on his work, Padmé’s continual awe of her children, Si’s collective Arconan mind, and the swirl of twin minds of Luke and Leia and their pure baby thoughts; and their raw potential in the Force. He stepped into the living room finding—as he had expected—Anakin working to upgrade his new mechanical limbs while Padmé and Si were playing with the twins on the floor. “All going smoothly out there?” Si asked lifting his eyes to Obi-Wan. “No problems,” Obi-Wan assured. “If you don’t count the usual complaining about the work shifts, salary, equipment et cetera.” Si gave him the Arconan smile. “We would be rather worried if there was no complaining about the everyday life. People must always be able to complain about something. If there is nothing to complain they start complaining that there is nothing to complain.” “I have never thought it that way,” Padmé put in thoughtfully. “But I guess you’re right. It’s—“ Tremendous crash cut her off. One of Anakin’s tools was crushed in his hand and he was swearing quietly. “What are you staring at?” he snapped noticing their attention. “These thousand times Kesseled hands cannot hold anything without breaking it.” Anakin had been continuously complaining about his new mechanical limbs since they had been installed. And he had some good reasons for it. His former right arm had been made by the best medics on Coruscant and there had been no need to save in the expenses. This time he had needed four replacements, they were on a third class backwater planet, and they didn’t have Jedi Temple to fund the treatment. And the quality of the mechanisms was not up to his liking. “If I cannot get my hands working properly,” Anakin complained umpteenth time, “I can never hold my children or my wife in my arms without the risk of hurting one of them. And I don’t want to crush my lightsaber the moment I pick it up.” “We know that, Anakin,” Padmé assured patiently. She had probably heard the same speech at least three times more often than Obi-Wan and was finally growing bored of it. “We know.” Determinately she turned her back to Anakin and turned on the HoloNet receiver. “Good evening, humans,” the news reader began. “We start with a special report from Coruscant.” There was a theatrical pause before the camera feed appeared on the screen. “Today the Inter Security Bureau has arrested traitorous Jedi Master named Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was trying to infiltrate to Coruscant aboard a diplomatic vessel. The arrest had numerous eyewitnesses. Clone commander Cody had an important part in the events…” “What?” Obi-Wan breathed feeling every pair of eyes in the room turn to look at him. Cody’s familiar T-visor was visible on the screen now. “ – during the war,” he was saying. “I can make no mistake; this man is former General Kenobi.” “I am an ambassador from Gala!” the man behind Cody was screaming. “I’m Prince Beju and I have diplomatic immunity!” For a few seconds the holocamera got a glimpse of the man who was held in place by two clonetroopers. The man looked so much like Obi-Wan that he felt like looking into a mirror. “It is Prince Beju,” he finally said when the reader moved to the next topic. “You know this man they say is you, Obi-Wan?” Si asked. “I do,” Obi-Wan said remembering his encounter with the Prince on Gala while he had still been with Qui-Gon. “It was long ago, shortly after we had met. Qui-Gon and I were over viewing their first elections.” “He looks just like you,” Padmé said shaking her head in amazement. “Why did they show this in the news?” Si asked. “Capturing one Jedi cannot be that important.” “It’s not,” Anakin said thoughtfully turning his attention away from his limbs. “Emperor is trying to lure us to come open. He is afraid of us.” “I cannot leave Beju in their hands,” Obi-Wan proclaimed. “It is not his fault that we look alike. I won’t let him suffer for my sake.” “But it might be a trap, Obi-Wan!” Si resisted. “In the name of the Force! I know it’s a trap!” Obi-Wan said sounding frustrated. “And Obi-Wan and I have a habit of springing the traps,” Anakin said. “So, we’re going.” There was silence for a few heartbeats. “You what?” Padmé asked. “The hell you don’t! I won’t allow it!” “That is why we are not going to ask your opinion,” Anakin said slowly. “You just take care of the twins and leave Jedi business for the Jedi.” “’Jedi business’” Padmé repeated sarcastically. “There is no Jedi left but you two. Who is to teach Luke and Leia if you die? And what if—“ Padmé had no need to finish her sentence; they all knew how close to the dark side Anakin had been. “We have to take the risk,” Anakin explained. “There is—“ Only a year ago he would have said outright that there is no danger for him to turn back to the dark side, Qui-Gon said in Obi-Wan’s mind. How much wisdom he has gained in six short months. Are you not worried, Master? Obi-Wan asked quietly. For you? Or for Anakin? Beju? Qui-Gon asked back. Of course I’m worried. There is always the chance that your plan will go wrong. And now Palpatine has a new apprentice, Darth Malic. Do you know who he is? Obi-Wan inquired. I don’t think so, Qui-Gon admitted. I’m one with the Force but I’m not all-knowing or all-powerful. “Obi-Wan? What’s wrong?” Si asked snapping Obi-Wan out of his private conversation. “Nothing. Why?” he said little bit too quickly. “You were staring into nothingness,” Si said. “It is not like the old you I once knew.” “You might consider me crazy,” Obi-Wan started wondering if he should not tell Si about Qui-Gon. “But… You know that Qui-Gon died years ago on Naboo.” Si nodded encouragingly. “He is now some kind of a Jedi ghost; one with the Force but still able to communicate with those who live. And I speak with him from time to time. I just did that when you started worrying.” “What’d he have to say?” Anakin asked. “He didn’t speak to me.” “He warned us about Palpatine’s new apprentice,” Obi-Wan said. “Said that he is called Darth Malic; and that is all Qui-Gon knows.” “It makes no difference,” Anakin said. “We have to go.” There were tears in Padmé’s eyes but she didn’t argue anymore. “I will arrange you a shuttle,” Si promised giving up from the fight too. “It will be ready tomorrow morning to take you to Coruscant. Is there anything else you need? If we cannot talk you not to go we can at least supply you with everything necessary.” “Thank you, Si,” Obi-Wan said. “You are a friend like no one else.” Anakin and Obi-Wan parked their two-man shuttle to the southern industry area of Coruscant. They had got in easily among the thousands of ships circling around the capital planet. Obi-Wan had done most of the flying on the way because Anakin had still been working with his limbs feverishly; there was some fighting to be done and he had to be able to handle his lightsaber in order to survive. “Here we are,” Obi-Wan said needlessly when he turned the shuttle to stand-by. “Time to spring the trap.” Anakin nodded and stood up from co-pilot’s seat. “Where do we start?” “From the Senate,” Obi-Wan decided. “We go to see Bail Organa. I hope he will be able to dig some information for us. And remember that we are here only to rescue prince Beju; no unnecessary heroism.” Look who’s talking, Qui-Gon put in. Who wanted to blow himself up to save me; who tried to save a whole planet all alone and who took down the Sith that killed me? “You stopped me from doing the first,” Obi-Wan retorted. “Secondly; I only made the things worse on Melida-Daan. And thirdly; the encounter with Darth Maul was almost suicidal.” “Would you two PLEASE stop that,” Anakin said. “There is work to be done. What happened to that ‘Concentrate on the moment’ of yours, Qui-Gon?” “Hold your tongue, youngling,” Obi-Wan teased. “You might be a full Jedi Knight now but there is still that nine-year-old nuisance inside you.” Time matters nothing to those who have died, Qui-Gon said sadly. One day you both will know. Trip to the home of a certain Alderaanian Senator was mercifully uneventful. To their disappointment they were told that Bail Organa was in the Senate and wouldn’t be back for several hours; they would have to wait. When the Senator finally came home he was surprised to find two Jedi sitting comfortably in the living room of his private apartment. “Kenobi! Skywalker!” he said shaking their hands. “What brought you back to Coruscant? If you are caught—” “We are here because of Prince Beju,” Obi-Wan explained. “You must know he was arrested as me.” “I know,” Organa assured. “Poor man. President Elan of Gala has been speaking for him and some others too but it has not helped. The difference is so clear for anyone who knows you both; why can’t they see it?” “They see it, all right,” Anakin pointed out. “It was a trick to draw Obi-Wan here. And it worked perfectly, as you can see.” “You are walking to a trap willingly?” Senator asked. “What do you have to gain?” “Beju’s freedom,” Obi-Wan said simply. “If you can find out anything useful we would appreciate it.” “I’ll do what I can,” Organa promised. “Is there anything you need right now?” “Some tools to improve my hands,” Anakin said immediately. “And some room where I can work.” “Fine,” Senator said. “I have a hide-out apartment in the lower levels; I’ll give you the access codes. You can use it as long as necessary. Obi-Wan?” “I don’t need anything right now,” the older Jedi said. “I’ll go and pull some strings of my own. I think Dex is still running his cantina, he has contacts that might provide valuable information.” “Keep me informed, all right,” Senator said. “There is straight computer line between this apartment, the hide-out and my office. If anything important comes up we have a quick contact to one another.” With that the Jedi departed; Anakin headed towards the hide-out and Obi-Wan turned his steps to a certain scruffy cantina owned by Dexter Jettster. Obi-Wan peeked inside the cantina carefully. Business seemed to be going well for Dex, for the cantina was full of customers and Obi-Wan counted three new waitress droids working in the room beyond the window. After watching for some time Obi-Wan decided that he preferred the back door and headed around the cantina. When he came to the door he reached out with the Force. Dexter was alone in the kitchen; except for the cook droids. Carefully Obi-Wan opened the door. It took some time for Dexter to notice his guest but when he did he almost crushed Obi-Wan with a huge, friendly hug. “Obi-Wan!” he said with his loud voice. “Where did you come from?” “From Bandomeer, Dex,” the Jedi said. “But please; keep your voice low. I am a fugitive, like all remaining Jedi, and I need your help.” “If there is anything I can do for you, I will,” the huge alien promised. “But I must tell that I thought you had been imprisoned. There was a news broadcast where they captured a man, who looked like you so much that even I believed it.” “It was Prince Beju of Gala,” Obi-Wan answered. “We really look alike. He is the reason for me to be here; I have to save him. I need you to find me all available information about the Emperor, his advisers, militia and Beju.” “I’ll set to work immediately,” Dexter said without hesitation. “How can I contact you?” “I will come back every three days,” Obi-Wan said. “If you will not see me in five days go and talk to Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan.” “As you wish, my friend. I will find out everything you need to know in a few days.” “Thank you, Dex, and may the Force be with you.” Obi-Wan headed for the apartment the Senator had given to them. Anakin was working with his mechanical arms again; even Obi-Wan was able to see the improvement in the machines. “These should work just fine when the time of fighting comes,” Anakin said picking up a small tool with his fingertips. “Dex is willing to help, so we have our informant,” Obi-Wan said. “Now we just have to find Beju and get him out of here.” “And get ourselves out of here, too,” Anakin added grimly. “I’m worried for Padmé and the twins.” “They are better off than we are,” Obi-Wan assured. “Si is taking care of them.” When they had been hiding for nine days Obi-Wan set out to meet Dex for the fourth time leaving Anakin alone to the apartment. He was surprised that the younger man was so willing to wait and do nothing; Anakin had never had too much patience. When Obi-Wan was closing the cantina his senses told him that something was out of place. When he stepped in through the back door he found an empty kitchen with destroyed cook-droids; the lightpanels had been blasted into pieces and there was a lot of spilled food around the floor. Obi-Wan knew how much the cantina meant for Dexter Jettster and that the alien would have never left it willingly. “Well, well, well, Master Kenobi, you survived,” said a sarcastic voice from the door leading to the main room of the cantina. “I cannot say that I’m surprised.” Slowly Obi-Wan turned around. “Master Voss,” he greeted. “I admit that I believed you to be dead.” Quinlan Voss stood quietly facing Obi-Wan. “What happened here?” Obi-Wan asked finally. “Where is Dex?”´ “Guards took him,” Voss said matter-of-factly. “He was plotting with the Jedi; it is treason.” “Treason?” Obi-Wan repeated starting to feel uncomfortable; where did Quinlan Voss fit in? “So… What’s your part in all this, Quinlan?” “Haven’t you guessed yet, Kenobi?” the other teased. “I am the apprentice of the true Master of the Force! I am a Sith. I am—“ “Darth Malic,” Obi-Wan continued and got some small pleasure from the shocked expression on the face of the former Jedi. “My master warned me about you.” “Yoda was a fool,” Quinlan Voss said bitterly. “What did he ever truly know of anything? What any Jedi knew? There is power beyond their imagination, beyond your pathetic, narrow vision. Only trough the dark side there is an access to the true power of the Force.” “Is that brutal power worth the losses, Quinlan?” Obi-Wan asked. “Is it worth the dead? The Jedi children Anakin butchered in the Temple? Your apprentice Aayla Secura, who died in the hands of her own troops? Ki-Adi-Mundi, Kit Fisto, Mace Windu? Are your new powers worth their lives?” Apparently Quinlan had no answer to those disturbing questions. He drew a lightsaber from his belt and struck towards Obi-Wan’s head. Obi-Wan saw the shining red blade coming in hard. At that same moment his commlink beeped but he had to ignore it and concentrate on the fight. He blocked the attack easily with his weapon. The crash rang a cord in his heart; last time he had fought with Anakin on Mustafar. He kept parrying all Quinlan’s attacks letting him waste his energy. Finally Quinlan backed away breathing hard. “You have become soft after you killed your Padawan,” Quinlan said after he got his breathing under control. “Poor Anakin; he never knew that his father was a Sith.” “A Sith?” Obi-Wan repeated ignoring Quinlan’s claim that he had killed Anakin. “I think it’s better he doesn’t know that. He once said that I was like a father to him.” “And even after that you killed him,” Quinlan continued without noticing that Obi-Wan had said “does”. “I really didn’t think you could do such a thing. You always had a soft spot in your heart for that kid.” “Sometimes even too soft,” Obi-Wan admitted smiling. “He is like a little brother to me, like a son. But I think everyone has a soft spot for someone. Qui-Gon had Xanatos, I have Anakin. Who was yours? Aayla?” Obi-Wan had hit the mark. Rage twisted Quinlan’s face and he rushed madly to continue their battle. Again Obi-Wan kept his defensive posture and let the other spend some more energy. “She was a good Jedi,” Obi-Wan said over the crash-hum of two lightsabers. “I greatly mourn her death, as I mourn the death of all the Jedi; especially the children of the Temple.” “Was that what gave you strength to kill Anakin?” Quinlan asked. “Were their lives more worthy than that of your apprentice?” “What Emperor Palpatine has told you about the events on Mustafar, Quinlan?” “Only that you killed Anakin there,” Quinlan said. “Suddenly he lost his control over the boy; there is only one explanation: Anakin was killed.” “Anakin lives,” Obi-Wan said simply. “What?” Quinlan asked retreating finally. “Anakin is alive,” Obi-Wan told him. “He was able to escape the web of darkness and the lies of the Emperor. The prophecy was true; the Force has been brought back to balance. And it runs stronger than ever in those who are attuned to it.” “No!” the former Jedi screamed. “You’re lying!” “Why would I lie to you? I once called you a friend; we saved each other’s lives some years ago, if you remember. There is so much you could learn from us. Let go of the shadow! Come with us.” “I—don’t—believe—you,” Quinlan said with some difficulty. “Quinlan—“ “Stop wagging your tongue!” He attacked again. This time there was so much anger behind the blows that Obi-Wan had to back off. Step by step the fallen Jedi forced Obi-Wan out from the cantina and on to the walkway outside. Finally he had nowhere to retreat to; there was a road behind his back and vehicles went by in rapid succession. It would have been a suicide—even for a Jedi—to try to navigate through the traffic. The tide of the battle turned; Obi-Wan had to take more aggressive role to get further away from the road. He still held back his blows for he didn’t want to kill the man he had once considered as his friend. Quinlan apparently didn’t feel the same way; after some time Obi-Wan was backing off again—but this time he was backing away from the road and back to the cantina. But he had miscalculated; he hit the wall almost two metres from the door. Again he had nowhere to go. Seeing Obi-Wan’s disadvantage Quinlan Voss pressured on until the lightsabers stuck only ten centimetres from Obi-Wan’s face. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and reached out to the Force; he intended to push his opponent further away. Realising Obi-Wan’s plan Quinlan also drew to the Force and fought back. Both men felt the growing power between them; it was nearing its explosion point. When the power finally erupted Obi-Wan was pushed against the wall so hard that his breathing was blocked and Quinlan flew away. The former Jedi hit the ground in the middle of the road and was almost immediately ran over by a fast moving vehicle. Breathless Obi-Wan was forced to watch in terror how Quinlan struggled to get out of harm’s way. Finally Obi-Wan was able to muster enough strength to pull stunned Quinlan to safety. The other collapsed on the walkway at the same moment Obi-Wan released his Force hold from him. Stepping closer with unsteady feet Obi-Wan felt that Quinlan was dying; his limp body was twisted and bruised. There was no sign of Quinlan’s lightsaber that had gone off when Quinlan had dropped it to slow his fall. “Obi-Wan?” Quinlan whispered when Obi-Wan got to him. “Is that you?” “Yes, Quinlan,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m here. I won’t let you to die.” “There is nothing you can do about it,” he said weakly. “I betrayed you all. But there is still something I can tell you—“ It was only a few minutes after Obi-Wan had left when the communication unit gave a signal from incoming call. It was about the same moment when Anakin felt a ripple in the Force. When Anakin saw urgency on the face of Bail Organa he knew beyond any doubts that something had gone wrong—badly. “Anakin,” the Senator said immediately. “Where is Obi-Wan?” “He went to meet Dex, Senator,” Anakin told. “What is it?” “I just got an invitation from the Emperor. He is about to execute Prince Beju as Obi-Wan, and Dexter Jettster from treason, immediately. Is there any way to contact Obi-Wan?” “We could try the commlink but I think it’s no good,” Anakin answered. “I felt a disturbance in the Force; I think he has enough trouble already. Where the execution is supposed to take place?” “On the plaza outside the former Jedi Temple—I don’t know why,” Senator explained. “I see no logic in the choice. What are you going to do? You’re not going there, are you?” “Of course I’m going there; we came here to rescue Beju,” Anakin said shaking his head. “And now it is up to me while Obi-Wan is missing. You stay away from there, Senator, and if you will be able to get through to Obi-Wan tell him where I am. And tell him that I know it’s a trap and follow our normal plan of action with traps.” “But—“ “Just do it!” Anakin snapped forgetting all diplomacy. “We have no time to argue.” Without waiting the Senator to answer he turned the comm-unit off and rushed out from the apartment. He was completely sure that it was a trap but he couldn’t count on it to be a bluff; there was a chance that Emperor would really kill Beju if no-one appeared to stop him. Anakin took a speeder-bike Organa had arranged for their disposal and flew with all speed towards the familiar pinnacles of the Temple. The trip took less than two minutes but it felt like eternity to Anakin. “Qui-Gon?” he whispered quietly. “I know it’s a trap. But do you know if it is a bluff?” “Can you contact Obi-Wan?” “I understand, Master,” Anakin said. “This will be my redemption or my destruction.” The presence of the old master disappeared and Anakin stopped his speeder-bike on a familiar landing platform outside the Jedi Temple. There was no sign of execution anywhere. Carefully Anakin stepped indoors; inside the very building where he had done many unforgivable things. The screams of dying younglings rang in his ears when he walked through empty passages; he was still able to hear the hiss of his lightsaber when its blue blade had cut through the flesh of children. Suddenly a new sound infiltrated to his ears; the sound of marching boots. It had also been a part of his nightmares from the butchery; he had been leading the clonetroopers who had invaded the Temple. But this time the noise was real and getting closer. Anakin hid behind a statue of a legendary Jedi; he thought it was Nomi Sunrider and wondered shortly why Emperor had not removed it. There was not too much time to wonder for almost immediately ten red-clad clonetroopers appeared from a side-passage leading two prisoners; Dexter Jettster and Prince Beju. “So, it was not a bluff,” Anakin thought. If he had attacked then and there he might have been able to kill the clonetroopers but not nearly quickly enough; four of them had nasty-looking forcespikes and before he could have got past them, six others would have had enough time to shoot the prisoners. Anakin waited. The party turned to the main passage and headed towards the turbolift cluster, Anakin in tow. “To the Archives,” one of the troopers said and the door slid shut. Quickly Anakin called for another car and continued his chase wondering why in the name of the Force troopers were taking their prisoners to the Archives. He felt the dark power when his lift was closing its target; Palpatine was somewhere near. When the car door slid open Anakin was surprised to see that he was not in the Archives—at least not in the Archives he had known. With some difficulty he recognised the room to be the former Archives chamber but the set-up looked more like some sort of a throne room. The shelves filled with datacards were gone, so were the statues of the lost twenty. There was no one in sight; the troopers and their prisoners were gone. Anakin studied the scene with growing dread; the dais and the throne seemed somehow familiar to him. Suddenly the throne started to turn and before Anakin realised what was happening he found himself staring into the face of Emperor Palpatine. Then it came to him; the set-up was disturbingly similar to the one aboard the Invisible Hand when he and Obi-Wan had been there to rescue the Supreme Chancellor. Apparently Palpatine was thinking the same event. “There is something familiar in this set-up, is there not?” he asked. “Naturally there are also some differences. But one thing has not changed; I am in full control of the situation.” “You tried to kill Obi-Wan there,” Anakin accused. “You tried to force me to abandon the only man who truly cared for me. I was nothing but a pawn to you.” “No, no, Anakin,” Palpatine smiled. “I do care for you. You have never understood, have you? Do you remember what I told you in the Galactic Opera; that legend about Darth Plagueis?” “I remember,” Anakin admitted. “But I have buried it with all the rest of your lies.” “Lies?” Palpatine asked. “When ever have I lied to you? No, Anakin; it was not a lie. Darth Plagueis really existed. I know it for sure because I was the one who killed him. And he was able to create life from midi-chlorians; the living evidence of that stands before me now.” Anakin’s mouth fell open. It had to be a lie! “Yes, Anakin,” Palpatine said with dreaming voice. “For some time your mother was in the hands of my master, she was able to escape when I murdered him. For a long time I believed you to be lost to me; until Qui-Gon Jinn so conveniently brought you back from the Outer Rim.” Suddenly Anakin felt the base of his whole existence fall apart under him; he listened with helpless terror when Palpatine destroyed everything he had believed in. “You were still too young to become my apprentice that time,” the older man continued. “Situation might have been different if Maul had been able to kill Kenobi, of course. Jedi wouldn’t have taken you in without Kenobi and his promise to his dying master.” There was silence for some time. “What do you think the Jedi would have done to you if they had known the truth?” Palpatine wondered. “The truth that their precious ‘chosen one’ was a creation of a Sith. Do you think they would have let you live? That they would have allowed you to learn their secrets?” Anakin! Qui-Gon suddenly screamed inside his head. Anakin! “Where is prince Beju?” Anakin asked remembering why he had originally come here. “And where is Dexter Jettster? And what have you done to Obi-Wan?” “All three have served their purpose and will be killed in time,” Palpatine said seriously. “And I have some special plans for your Alderaanian friend.” The Emperor laughed to Anakin’s amazed expression. “Oh yes, I know Bail Organa has been plotting with you. And he will tell me some very interesting things before I will kill him; where I can find Yoda; where your son is and who other Jedi are still alive.” “You will stay away from my twins!” Anakin screamed and suddenly his blue lightsaber was blazing in his hand; only after that he realised that in his anger he had slipped out the information that there were more than one child. Palpatine laughed again igniting his own blood-red blade. “Twins?” he teased. “Ah, wonderful! A pair of new Sith to serve under my tutelage.” “Never!” With familiar crash the lightsabers struck together. Anakin had only distinct impression from Palpatine’s abilities to use a lightsaber; he had no expectations. Still the old man was able to surprise Anakin with his skills. Suddenly blue lightning erupted from the hand of the Emperor and hit Anakin hard throwing him half way across the chamber. The blue lightsaber flew away and disappeared somewhere; pain was almost unbearable and Anakin felt his strength to give away. “Young fool,” Emperor said walking closer. “You are no match for the dark side. You should not have turned against me; you know you could have saved Padmé with my help. How could you watch her to die knowing that you could have saved her?” “I almost killed her myself because of your teachings,” Anakin said standing up. “Nothing would have happened to her if I had not listened your lies.” Slowly Anakin started to retreat towards his lost lightsaber. “She would not have died if you had stayed with me,” Palpatine said sadly. “I really liked her, you know.” “I don’t believe that anymore,” Anakin said. “During these six months I have done a lot of thinking. And I have come to a conclusion that it was you who tried to assassinate her. Dooku gave the order, yes, but originally it must have been your idea; Lord Tyranus hardly ever decided anything himself.” “If I had hoped her death, do you really think that I had arranged you and Kenobi to protect her? I wanted her to go home where it was safe, but she refused; I had to do something. I had no intention of killing her.” “Then you should be happy to hear that she is alive and safe, in a place where you cannot reach her,” Anakin said calling his lightsaber back to his hand. “May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan,” Quinlan Voss whispered and died on Obi-Wan’s arms. For some time Obi-Wan just sat there on the walkway; his mind was numb from the things Quinlan had told him. Yet another stubborn call from his commlink brought him back to present. “Kenobi,” he said turning the device on. “Obi-Wan, finally,” Organa’s voice said. “I’ve been calling for you for quite a while. Anakin has gone to the Jedi Temple and said something about ‘normal plan of action with traps’. Emperor is going to execute prince Beju and Dexter.” “He won’t kill them,” Obi-Wan said. “At least not yet. They are just a bait to get Anakin there; and he is going there willingly, knowing that it is a trap; and with all the intentions to spring it.” “What?” “It is a joke Anakin and I invented during the war,” Obi-Wan explained dragging Quinlan’s body inside the cantina. “When did he leave?” “Almost half an hour ago,” Senator told him. “And he has a speeder-bike.” “I must go and help him,” Obi-Wan said. “Do you know where Dex’s Diner is?” “I do.” “Find a quick vehicle and meet me quarter way to the Temple,” Obi-Wan instructed. For a few anxious moments Anakin and Palpatine stared at each other across the humming blades. “I have come to know one other thing too,” Anakin said finally. “It requires a Sith to kill another; you murdered your master, as he had done to his. And now I’m going to kill you, like I should have done when I first realised what you are.” “You can try, fool!” The lightning struck again but this time Anakin was able to block it with his lightsaber. He kept advancing step by step; his concentration was fully in battle. Suddenly he saw an opening; there was a way out. He rushed close giving up from his defences to deliver a killing blow. When his lightsaber hit the mark he felt a familiar presence behind him but the moment of his own death had arrived. “Anakin! No!” Obi-Wan called desperately running towards his apprentice who was no longer able to hear him. Anakin was running also. But he was running on familiar hot sand and saw twin suns of Tatooine above him. He was whole again; his arms and legs were like they had been before the encounter with Count Dooku. He wasn’t sure if he was nine years old again or if he was as old as Yoda. It didn’t matter; he was where he belonged. His mother was waiting for him with open arms. “Oh, Anakin,” Shmi said hugging her son. “I have missed you, mother,” Anakin answered. “I never stopped thinking about you.” “I know, Ani,” his mother said smiling. “I’m very proud of you.” “Anakin,” Qui-Gon said standing suddenly next to them wearing the same battered poncho he had had on his trip to Mos Espa. “Obi-Wan needs us; he needs you. Now you have all the time of the universe with your mother, but Obi-Wan is alone.” “Go, my son,” Shmi told him. “I will wait, like I always have. I love you.” “Come,” Qui-Gon said looking very alive. Anakin followed the Jedi Master to the place where he had just died. On one level they were walking side by side on the desert of Tatooine like they had done all those years ago; on other level they were passing through the thick fabric that separated dead from the living. And then they were standing above Anakin’s dead body and kneeling Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan didn’t know how long he had remained on his knees holding Anakin’s dead body on his arms. Tears were running down his cheeks and fell on Anakin’s tunic; once he had held Qui-Gon the same way but the pain in his heart was now doubled. He had loved Qui-Gon as his master but Anakin had been his own apprentice; even more, like a brother, a son. “Anakin,” his whispered. “This cannot be. Qui-Gon!” It is as it was meant to be, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon said. My death was a necessary loss, Anakin added. “But why?” Obi-Wan asked. “We could have conquered him together.” No, my friend. Anakin denied. It had to be me against Palpatine—alone. I knew it from the moment I stepped inside the Temple; there was no turning back. “But I don’t want to lose you.” ‘Rejoice from those who become one with the Force; mourn them do not; miss them do not.’ Qui-Gon recited. Isn’t that what Master Yoda usually says when he is speaking about death. Death is a natural part of life, Anakin added. It was my time, Obi-Wan. “You were the best apprentice I could have had, Anakin. It was an honour to teach you.” I wouldn’t be going that far, Anakin said smiling. More than once I was quite a nuisance. Well, in that I do agree, Qui-Gon joked. One more thing, Obi-Wan. The Empire is now without a ruler; get Bail Organa and have him to take over the Senate. If you act quickly there will be no time for bloodshed. “As you wish, master.” And take care of Padmé and the twins for me, Anakin said when Qui-Gon was already disappearing. Tell them I love them and that I did this so they could live in safety. “I will,” Obi-Wan promised finally letting go of Anakin’s body.
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