Star Wars
A Lost Hope
Chapter 9
Return to chapter 8 of A Lost Hope

Spaarti
Day 178


Baryl couldn't stop pacing. She had managed to block the images from the foundry and the duel, but she still felt a nervous energy that needed to be expended somehow. She had debated what her options were and made the (unfortunate) decision that there were not too many. To stay with the ship or try to blow something up. She'd seen too many operations screwed up by overzealous agents who weren't where they were supposed to be because they had tried to do something--like sabotage more of the buildings. Her choices were further limited by the knowledge that somewhere, not too far away, was a Sith Lord. So, she waited outside their ship.

She ducked as the air shattered, then looked upwards. Fighters. She recognized the elongated fighters of the Alliance. They streaked along the surface firing at the many buildings, then suddenly pulled up into a steep climb. She shook her head and watched as a second group of fighters, smaller, more compact than the Alliance-wing. These clone fighters were streaming into the fight. She gripped the stabilizer support as the ground shook. Several of the buildings blew into a myriad of colors, then started to burn. She stared horrified, not knowing which building they were in.

She took several deep breaths as the air battle continued. She couldn't tell which side was winning, there were just too many. She tried to will one of the Alliance fighters to break away. Emperor Palpatine was around somewhere, all it would take was one lucky shot--guided by the Force--and the galaxy's future would be brighter. She winced as several fighters almost directly overhead exploded.

#

The Moons of Alderaan headed straight toward the second shipyard. The clone ships were regrouping and preparing for another attack even as Bail Organa ordered all guns to fire. They were still a few hundred meters out of range, but there wasn't anymore time. The Alliance ships were being systematically picked off by the superior firepower of their enemy. The ship rocked.

"Sir, direct hit. Starboard shields are failing. One more..."

"Well, Captain," Bail said with a greater calmness than he felt. "Make sure they don't get that chance."

The Captain narrowed his eye as he ordered a massive barrage from the starboard guns. Bail continued to watch, not even distracted by the half-hearted cheer when the shipyard blew. "Excellent shooting. Now, let's get back to the fight."

"Sir, incoming ships."

"Whose?" Bail asked.

"The Galactic Republic, sir," the ship's captain said. "We're saved."

"Or doomed," Bail said under his breath.

Only one person heard him. Nejaa Halycon's expression didn't change as he closed his eyes. The Sith indeed had planned well. The rescue of the Alliance Fleet by the Galactic Republic would be seen as yet another timely intervention by the new Emperor. Nejaa sighed as his senses drifted back to the planet below.

#

Captain Tarkin came to attention as the Fleet admiral appeared on the holo-imager. "Captain, we've engaged the clones and ordered the Alliance fleet to pull back." The Admiral laughed. "Proceed with the ground assault."

Tarkin saluted as he smiled. His assault would result in the capture of the planet's surface and the destruction of the cloning technology. He saw this as a test, with promotion as the reward for success. He'd seen the new Emperor watching him throughout the trip to Spaarti. An Emperor would eventually need a strong military to guard his empire, and Tarkin planned to be an integral part of that movement. Not that he couldn't take care of himself. He ordered his detachment of ships to head toward the surface. Each unit had their orders, but he'd secretly given second orders to those he trusted to download as much information about the incredible technology the clone armies had. It would be useful as he planned his career in the new order.

#

Obi-Wan Kenobi swung his blade at Skywalker's. The two blades hissed and snarled as the two men fought for supremacy. Obi-Wan suddenly spun and slashed at his opponent's legs, Anakin's counter sent him rolling backward, dangling perilously close to the edge. Obi-Wan somersaulted forward, then leapt at Skywalker.

Skywalker laughed, then flicked his fingers. Tendrils of flames from the molten liquid six stories down leapt up. Obi-Wan jumped up a level and waited, the Sith Lord's laugh still ringing in his ears. Anakin had always shown remarkable proficiency with the lightsaber, but until this day Obi-Wan's experience and training had made him the better swordsman. Now, for the first time, he had to realize that Skywalker might just beat him.

*Do not dwell on the negatives,* Mace's voice said via the Force. *Fear and anger lead to the darkside. Concentrate on the light.* Obi-Wan gripped his blade tighter as Skywalker joined him on the higher catwalk.

"You are weak," Skywalker said as he easily parried Obi-Wan's thrust.

"The Force is my ally," Kenobi answered as he flipped backwards to avoid the young man's furious attack. "And the light always triumphs over the dark. The Sith cannot win."

"Little do you know." Anakin slashed at his face. "The Sith survived a thousand years, yet the weak-minded Jedi never knew of their existence."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Like before, the Jedi will rise and conquer the Sith, and once again peace, truth, and the lightside will rule the galaxy." He spun, then slashed, his blade burning into Skywalker's left shoulder.

Skywalker winced, but continued his attack. "Not if they are all dead. I shall help find and destroy the Jedi."

"And I shall see that you don't find them all." Obi-Wan made his promise as once again flames leapt up from below.

#

Bail grimaced, his first display of emotion throughout the entire battle. How could the Republic Fleet Admiral dare to assume to have control of the Alliance fleet? Not even with a 'by your leave', just a direct order to cease their attack on the shipyards. To further emphasize that command, the Republic ships headed toward the shipyards to form a protective barrier. He knew that there was no way he could order his fleet to attack the Republic ships. Even before he gave the order to stop the attack and concentrate on the remaining clone ships, the Independent Alliance ships backed off. He turned to Nejaa. "No matter how much I wish to continue the battle and prevent the darkness I know is coming..."

"Now is not the time." Nejaa motioned slightly, indicating the bridge crew. "They don't see the danger; they just see salvation."

Bail agreed quietly. "Someday they will..."

"Someday," Nejaa echoed. "Someday."

#

The fire behind him drove Obi-Wan toward his opponent. The other man coldly watched as Obi-Wan flung his burning cloak aside. Skywalker laughed as he lunged toward Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan stepped to one side and brought his blade down against Skywalker's. The two blades crackled then Skywalker stumbled. Obi-Wan used his right hand to push at Skywalker's injured shoulder, then kicked out, hitting the Sith on the knee.

Skywalker fell, but swiftly brought his blade up to block Obi-Wan's descending stroke. He tumbled to the right as Obi-Wan again slashed downward. Obi-Wan flipped over his opponent to continue his attack from Skywalker's weak side. It was obvious the younger man's injury was beginning to affect his ability to fight. Skywalker rolled away to avoid his rapid attack.

And rolled too far. He dropped his saber as he fell over the catwalk trying to grasp the railing. The anger in the Sith's eyes as his hands slipped, told Obi-Wan that Anakin had truly gone over to the darkside, but even with that knowledge he dove forward to grab his former student's hand.

It was too late. He snatched at the plunging man with the Force in one last desperate attempt to save him from the fiery fate below. Then he felt it. Anger, fear, hatred...In awe he watched as the orange molten liquid below parted: pushed away by Anakin's fury. He leapt back against the railing as the inferno surged upward, away from the young man. He stared in awe: he'd never seen the Force used to push such quantities of energy.

#

Baryl watched the advancing Republic troops from under the ship. They looked formidable, as row upon row of white clad soldiers marched past, leveling the few clones that offered resistance. She didn't move, not wanting to attract attention from either side. Suddenly, a massive cloud of flames erupted from the center building. She stared at it in fascination and horror. Even at this distance she could feel the heat. Her eyes closed to block the light and to try to find her connection to Obi-Wan.

#

"Hurry," Mace shouted as the vortex of flames climbed through the ceiling and spread skyward, before dissipating into the clouds. "The Republic Fleet has arrived." Obi-Wan continued to stare at the sight below. Mace grabbed his hand and yanked his attention back to the here and now. "Obi-Wan, we can't save him. You must feel his anger..."

"Yes," a new voice hissed behind them. "His anger has made him powerful." Obi-Wan noticed Mace sag slightly, as they turned. Palpatine stood in the archway watching, a small smirk on his face as he studied the two Jedi, then glanced into the vat--several soldiers in white armor were attempting a rescue. "Excellent my Jedi friends, you did the one thing I could not. You have severed his last link to the light. And Master Windu is correct, the fleet is here: but they are here to find and destroy the Jedi responsible for this." He spread his arms. There was the sound of crashing behind them. Obi-Wan sensed the entrance of soldiers.

Mace shouted as he pulled out his light saber. "Get away, Obi-Wan. You must save the future..." Blaster fire raked the railing as he jumped back, away from Mace. "You were right," Mace continued sadly. "And Yoda wrong, we should have done more. Now go."

Palpatine cackled quietly at them, as more white-clad troopers entered the chamber. Mace raised his lightsaber and slashed through the railing, Obi-Wan had no choice but to vault up one level as the catwalk crashed from under him. He leaned over the railing and shouted, "No!" as Mace approached Palpatine, his turquoise saber still ignited. Through the haze of smoke, heat, and the Force, Kenobi noticed soldiers pulling the body of his former pupil out of the vat of rapidly cooling liquid metal. He couldn't sense if Anakin was alive or dead.

"Foolish man," Palpatine said quietly, not even bothering to defend himself as Mace raised his saber in an attack poise. Palpatine casually lifted his hands. Obi-Wan watched in horror as blue streaks of light emanated from the Emperor's hands and lashed into the tall dark Jedi master, sending him reeling back toward the railing.

Then there was an eerie, surreal silence as Mace toppled over the edge and vanished, his cloak floated downward and draped over the railing. Obi-Wan watched, transfixed at the sight. He waited for endless seconds for something to happen. Palpatine's confident smile faded as he too leaned over the railing. Obi-Wan watched as the Emperor grabbed the empty cloak and tossed it over. He couldn't see what had disturbed Palpatine, so he leaned over for a better view.

"Run," a voice said. Obi-Wan looked around quickly. Palpatine straightened and stared at him angrily. Suddenly the Emperor made a quick motion with his hand and the soldiers turned to fire at Kenobi. His lightsaber was free; blocking the bolts of light, then he whirled around and ran. He jumped down two levels and continued running. The soldiers continued to fire at him, he didn't stop to see how many followed, until he was outside. There he pulled the brown detonator out of his pocket and turned to face the building.

#

Captain Tarkin cackled as the white-clad trooper carefully carried the rather amateurish looking bomb out of the building. "Sir," another trooper said. "The building is now secure."

"Excellent. Any sign of the Jedi traitors?"

"None, sir." Tarkin nodded briefly.

"Carry on. There are probably similar devices in the other buildings." He glanced upward. Emperor Palpatine had ordered him to secure this building. He was curious why this particular building--but ambitious enough to not ask questions. He contacted the fleet, then the rest of his ground troops. Palpatine wanted any Jedi found here captured. They would be the proof the rest of the galaxy needed to believe that the Jedi were behind the clones. Then there was the unknown person he'd been ordered to rescue. The Emperor himself had given the order. Tarkin knew better than to ask how the Emperor had known, he just made sure the order was completed. Whoever they had rescued was now on a on his way to the fleet medical frigate. Nor was it his place to wonder why the Emperor was on the planet's surface. He motioned for two lieutenants to approach.

"The new Emperor will be arriving in minutes. Nothing is to go wrong. Position your troops accordingly." They saluted. Tarkin smiled. Even if the Jedi were still on the planet, they would not get away.

#

Slowly Obi-Wan pressed the button and watched. There were several flashes of light, then the rumbling of explosives. The large building he'd just left shuttered as the surrounding ones blew-up. He almost started back toward that building.

"You must leave here," the voice said. He recognized it, but Mace was no where in sight. "Your destiny lies elsewhere."

"You have a purpose," Qui-Gon's voice said.

"We lost though."

"Lost this battle," Mace's voice said. "But the Emperor has not won. There is still a thread linking Skywalker to the light."

"A thread you must help nurture," Qui-Gon said. Both Jedi Masters appeared before him, then faded away. "Through you, will the future will be given a chance." Then the voices faded away.

He bolted toward the ship and up the ramp.

"Ben?" Baryl whispered from the cockpit. "They've put out warrant for your arrest." She looked past him then shook her head sadly. "We must leave now. Yoda is waiting." She held out her hand.

"I..." Obi-Wan blinked back the tears as he took her hand and let her guide him to the co-pilot's seat. "He knew, and yet he came anyway."

"You must survive. Master Windu knew this. Amidala's children will need you. Anakin?"

"I don't know. Dead I think. I couldn't sense the Life Force in him at all..." She ignited the engines.

"We're needed on Dagobah."

#

Bail Organa stood in the back by the rubble, as the crowd of soldiers from both the Alliance and the Republic cheered the man they believed had saved the galaxy. He'd never been more depressed or fearful as he contemplated the confident, arrogant man greeting his well-wishers. Emperor. The word was an abhorrence to his democratic soul.

"Emperors need Empires," Mon Mothma said quietly.

"And what we didn't destroy here this day will aide him in ways we cannot foresee."

"Don't Bail," she answered. "Think of what was destroyed. The Jedi speak of hate, fear, and anger leading to the darkside. There is too much of that here, today." She glanced toward Palpatine. "We must be the light in the coming darkness." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "The Jedi?"

"Away. Master Windu is dead." Bail bowed his head as he spoke. "Kenobi wouldn't say anything. And considering..."

"Yes," she responded sadly. "A masterful move. Blame the Jedi for the clones. And the others?"

"They left an hour ago. It seemed best."

"The protectors of peace and justice destroyed by a man who begins his reign with war and injustice..." Her voice faded away.

"Alderaan will rejoin the Republic--what's left of it. The petition will be sent today."

"The Chandrilan vote tomorrow. After today, they will vote to rejoin." She turned away as Palpatine started to speak.

"Empire," he said with only the barest hint of the disgust he felt.


Epilogue
Dagobah/Coruscant
Day 184


Amidala gazed at her friend for many minutes. Obi-Wan hadn't said a word as he stepped off the ship, but she knew. It was over. Her husband was gone; her world damaged--possibly beyond repair; and everything she had ever believed in was no more.

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said. "There was nothing I could do."

"He's dead." She blinked several times to stop the tears.

"I don't know. But Anakin Skywalker is no more. If he survived he will belong to Palpatine." Obi-Wan reached out to comfort her.

"We did everything wrong," she said quietly as she rested her hands on her abdomen. "We trusted him, and he has betrayed us." She gasped slightly, as her insides tightened again. "But what could we have done differently?"

Baryl wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We could have sacrificed everything we honor and value and become like him." Amidala gasped again as she bent over.

#

The Coruscant landscape was burnished white; the crowds thronged the streets waiting for the man who had saved the galaxy from destruction. Cheers greeted this man in simple blue robes as he stepped out onto the giant staircase that lead into the massive hall that housed the Galactic Senate.

Three people stood on a balcony of the senate apartments, noting the joyous feel in the air, but failing to find happiness at the cause of that joy. Bail Organa eyes flashed as he spoke. "How can they be so blind?" But the answer was too easy. The clones were destroyed, and Palpatine's promises of peace were exactly what the galaxy wanted to believe to the point of blocking out everything else.

Garm turned away from the scene. "We can continue to be the voice of reason in the senate. At least he's not disbanded that." Bail stepped back, unable to bring himself to watch--yet unable to not watch.

"How much reason. There are already rumors that it will be renamed the Imperial Senate..." Mon Mothma stared beyond the crowds. Just beyond the senate building she could see the construction crews starting the building of Palpatine's Imperial Palace: building on the site where the once proud Jedi Council Building had stood. They'd returned to late to stop the Jedi Order from being abolished by the Senate. One day, when the rest of the galaxy finally realized just what Palpatine was, they could act; but until that day arrived, they would remain the representatives of their worlds. A faint glimmer of light in the coming darkness.

Because it was only a matter of time before Palpatine took absolute power, disbanded the Galactic Senate, and declared the old Republic an Empire.

#
#

The humidity was far more oppressive than she'd remembered, Baryl decided as she waited outside Yoda's little hut. There was no room in the tiny building for more than one human and the Jedi-master. Baryl fervently hoped Yoda knew more about babies than just the Force will guide him as Amidala screamed again. She clenched her companion's hand. "Ben?" It seemed strange to call him that, but it was a wise move. The name Obi-Wan was too well known to the new Emperor's henchmen. She'd contacted Rostek Horn at CorSec, his brief message had confirmed her fears. Obi-Wan was indeed one of the most wanted men in the galaxy.

"She's fine. The process is just difficult with twins." He brow was deeply furrowed in concentration.

"Now what?" Baryl knew of the plans for the children. She knew the reasons, she even understood them, yet she still didn't like them.

"The Emperor will destroy them if finds them," Obi-Wan said sadly. "He will know that Anakin's children can destroy him."

"But he thinks Amidala is dead..."

"We can't know that for sure." There was another scream. "This is no place for her to raise two children. And Kalla Organa is waiting..."

Baryl looked around and silently agreed. Even two children strong in the force would lack education if they stayed here. Contact with others was important in any child's life. The Organas would raise the girl to fight the new Emperor. "And you'll take the boy to Tatooine."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Owen waits for him. He'll be safer there." But, they both knew, neither child would be trained as a Jedi. There was now no Jedi Order to bring children up in the traditions of the Jedi.

"There will be new traditions," Baryl said quietly as she wondered if Obi-Wan had spoken, or if she had read his thoughts. "You were fighting the old traditions even as the Jedi Order was being destroyed." There was the sound of whimpering from inside the hut, that quickly became the screams of newborns. Yoda appeared with a smile. He motioned for the pair to come forward.

#
#

Emperor Palpatine mounted the platform and looked over the crowd. A movement, a shift in the force from behind him, caused him to smile.

Hidden in the shadows lurked a dark presence. His young apprentice watched hidden from the crowd--it was too soon for Palpatine to reveal his plans for the galaxy and the Sith. For now his apprentice would be a phantom, a nightmare, his instrument in the final destruction of the Jedi.

All had gone as he had foreseen.


Dagobah
Day 185


"She rests," Yoda said as he hobbled over to the log Obi-Wan sat upon. "And you?"

"Confused, Master," he admitted with a sad smile. "There is much I don't understand."

Yoda's ears raised slightly. "Then much have you learned."

Obi-Wan stared off toward the swamp. "When Mace fell, it was like he vanished."

"It is as the prophecy said." Yoda's eyes concentrated on the human. "The Force from midichlorians comes."

"Yes, I remember that lesson, Master." Obi-Wan snapped, then bit his lip. "I apologize. But..."

Yoda tapped his staff on the ground. "Life grows, life evolves. Midichlorians life are. They have become more. No longer separate but as one they are with us."

"One?" Obi-Wan waited for Yoda to explain, but the wizened Jedi Master chose to let the younger Master ponder his words. Obi-Wan spoke softly after several minutes of staring at the mist. "One who would bring balance to the Force. A balance between us and the Force."

"Life binds us to the Force, and the Force binds us to life. Life creates it, without life it vanishes." Yoda tapped his staff once and walked away. Obi-Wan wasn't sure if he was more confused, or if he was actually beginning to understand. He glanced toward Yoda's hut. The twins slept, their ability to connect to the Force there, but not developed. The Force would affect their lives, and someday they would master the ability to truly control their skills. A great many events and tragedies would happen before that day came.


Coruscant
day 187


Palpatine motioned for General Merlyk to leave. He didn't bother to acknowledge the general's resignation. Merlyk would complete one more task before he was allowed to resign. Then he would have nothing more to do with the Bothan fool.

He sensed his young apprentice's entrance. "My young friend," he hissed as he turned.

Darth Vader had a shape buried within the black encounter suit that would keep him alive, but all that had been Anakin Skywalker had been burned out. There was now nothing to limit Vader's abilities as a Sith Lord. He smiled as Vader knelt and bowed his head.

"My Master, what is thy bidding."


Dagobah
day 191


Baryl watched as Obi-Wan carefully placed the little baby behind the pilot's seat of his tiny ship borrowed from the Alliance. The infant was in some sort of Jedi trance. "Patient must you be," Yoda said as Obi-Wan finished strapping down the carrier. "Wait for the sign. Then begin his training you will." Obi-Wan shook his head, Baryl could relate--she had no idea what the Jedi Master was talking about.

He turned and she stepped into his arms. They kissed long and passionately before each stepped back. "I'll see you in two months," she whispered.

"Corellia." He touched her lips with his fingers. "I promise."

Yoda and Amidala watched him leave from behind her. There was silence long after the white plumes had vanished from the morning sky. Finally Yoda spoke.

"Amidala to Alderaan must go." Baryl turned and looked at each of them. In the week since the birth of the twins, the young mother had not said a word. Amidala just nodded. Yoda's ears perked slightly as he hobbled over to her. "There much sorrow and joy be. Despair never, all the light will find." He placed his hand on hers. "Remember this," he spoke softly and though Baryl really didn't understand what he was saying or why, she promised to remember. "Farewell," he said to the threesome as they boarded the stolen clone transport. She'd spent the week here altering the transponder codes, and Horn had managed to send her ownership papers for it.

"We again not to meet," she heard Yoda say as the door shut.

#
#

Yoda stood by the swamp, alone. The only noise the sounds of the many creatures that would continue to live here when he was gone. He leaned on his staff as the mist started to swirl over the water: images of the past, the future, and the present danced in front of him.

Far away, on a planet with two suns, Beru Lars took the infant boy, tears streaming down her face as she held him close to her. "Thank-you Obi-Wan. Thank-you for everything." Her husband smiled as he watched her, then he turned to face his brother. "Luke Skywalker?"

"His father, Anakin, died during the Clone Wars." Obi-Wan hesitated slightly, Owen glanced at him, his eyes narrowed as if the farmer knew there was more to this story.

"And the Jedi will not come for him?" Obi-Wan shook his head, his brother wasn't going to pursue the other, for the moment.

"No, we are no more. Still, he will need to be trained..."

"By you?" Owen asked in a dangerous tone.

"Yes. But I can do it here." Obi-Wan glanced around the desert wasteland. Owen didn't give an answer, instead he placed his arm around Beru's waist and studied the baby. Obi-Wan stepped back to watch.

The mist swirled and the image faded to be replaced by one of comfort and authority. Baryl bowed as she greeted Bail Organa in a small room in the Royal Palace. He then hugged her, before turning to Amidala. The young mother faltered, then handed him the infant girl. His eyes teared as he ran a finger along the baby's face. He looked up. "You are both welcome to stay here. In fact Kalla insists upon it."

"I can't," Baryl said. "I need to return to Corellia. There is much I can do there."

"I understand." He looked around uncomfortably before speaking. "Amidala, we would be honored if you would stay. This way you could be a part of her life. We can protect you and give you a new identity."

Amidala nodded once, then turned away. Baryl didn't know what to say. She felt the grief of the young woman who would watch her children being raised by others. Amidala touched her shoulder and shook her head with a sad smile. Baryl wrapped her arms around the former senator and queen. Their entire trip to Alderaan had been quiet, the young woman refusing to break her silence. They accompanied Bail up a hidden staircase to where Kalla waited. The blonde woman took the infant from her husband. "Welcome to Alderaan, Leia Organa." Amidala stifled a cry as Baryl squeezed her hand. While she knew that the two had agreed on the name months before, it didn't lessen the hurt Amidala was obviously feeling.

The mists whirled and flowed as other images played across the swamp. Images of Amidala watching a little girl taking her first hesitant steps toward another woman, and images of a young boy's ecstatic expression as he learned to fly. Yoda's smile vanished as the mist darkened and another young girl with short curly red hair sat crying in dark room. The image faded to be replaced by others. More children, Jedi children. The Jedi would survive, but as the Midichlorians had changed, so had the Jedi. The mists swirled again, vague images played out across the swamp before vanishing into the water.

Yoda clenched his staff tighter and hobbled toward his hut. Patience and hope were now his strongest weapons against the forces of darkness. The patience to wait for Anakin and Amidala's children to grow to adulthood and learn the ways of the Force. The hope that through them, could Anakin be brought back to the light. Two children, one future, between them balanced the fate of a galaxy.

The light faded as the clouds moved over the land, gripping it in a cold, dark, despair.

The End