'No backing out now.'
The first to arrive was Emil Lang. He was carrying a small device and looked worried.
"Ankain? We found this in your old heart. Our peliminary investigations indicate it was some sort of explosive device."
Anakin took the bomb in hand and turned it over. He chuckled slightly, as he recalled what it was.
"When the others get here, I'll explain this. I had forgotten about it over the years."
Emil nodded and waited. Soon, Rick Hunter, Minmei, Roy Fokker, and Lisa Hayes had arrive. Lis was carrying a small radio.
Lisa explained, "Captain Gloval is on the bridge making sure the ship runs smoothly. He did want to hear you story."
Anakin nodded and held up the defunct bomb. "I'll start at the begining. I was born on the planet Tatooine as a slave. When I was born, this bomb was placed inside my heart to prevent me from escaping. If I went beyond a certain point, it would explode."
Ignoring the reactions, he gave the bomb back to Emil Lang and continued his story. He went on to explain how he met Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi and the battle they were involved with. The story continued as he explained how he was rejected from Jedi training for being too old at eight years of age.
Rick asked, "Too old? What is the age that Jedi usually start at?"
Anakin squelched his anger and replied, "Potential Jedi are taken from their families at two years. The Jedi teachings at the time believed that any sort of family relationship would lead to the Dark Side. I'll explain that later."
Ignoring the looks of horror, Anakin resumed his story and told of the victory over the Trade Federation and his acceptance by the Jedi to be trained by Obi Wan. He paused to remember Qui-Gon Jinn's death. 'If he had survived, the galaxy would be a lot different.'
Shaking himself out of his reverie, he went on to explain about his training and then the start of the Clone Wars and why. The former Sith explained his feelings, as he told of his mom's death and what he did.
Closing his eyes, Anakin said, "This is going to be very painful for me, but you should know what sort of man I once was."
Looking around, he saw looks of trepidation and fascination surround him.
Anakin took a deep breath and continued his story about the continuing battle of the Clone Wars and his fall to the Dark Side and becoming Darth Vader. He explained how he went around and killed the few Jedi that had remained after Kaimon. He went on how Darth Sidious had manipulated both sides to become Emperor Palpatine and initiated the Jedi purge. The story went on to explain how the Rebellion began and the building of the Death Star and the destruction of Alderaan.
"I did tell Grand Moff Tarkin that Princess Leia would not betray the Rebellion willingly. Several planets were chosen to be test canditaes for the use of the Death Star," Anakin said, with a lot of pain in his voice.
Horrified, Lisa Hayes asked, "Why didn't you stop it?"
Anakin shook his head. "Palpatine wanted the Death Star for a long time. Shortly before the first one was complete, he ordered another to be built. This time to the original specifications. The first thing he was going to do was use it to destroy an inhabited world to squelch any thoughts of rebellion. The Rebllion destroyed it shortly after it destroyed Alderran at the Yavin system."
Roy asked, "Yavin? Weren't you trying to leave the Yavin system?"
"Yes. The same day that you did the space fold from Earth, the Death Star was destroyed. It was probably the interactions of the Space Fold and the destrution of the Death Star that had brought me here."
Anakin's voice dropped, "During the time I was trapped with Rick and Minmei, I went over my life and tried to come to terms with what I had done and become. It helped me heal mentally. Both the Jedi and the Sith were in the worng"
Captain Gloval's voice came over the radio. "An intergalactic religious war? Atrocities on both sides. I do thank you for your honesty Anakin Skywalker. I noticed that other than those Tusken Raiders you mentioned, you only seemed to fight those who could fight back. That war is just on a larger scale. This will take some time to abosrb."
Anakin said, "Before you ask, I do not have plans for the Death Star or any of the capital ships. Droid technology and smaller craft like my fighter I can build. I will gladly help in that endeavor. I do owe you that much at least for allowing me to get rid of that life support system."
Gloval replied, "Agreed. Lisa please report back to the bridge."
"Yes, sir," Lisa replied and picked up the radio.
"I'll be heading back to my quarters as well. Tak care little brother," Roy said.
Anakin watched as Roy and Lisa left. He could understand the horror and shock, but the sympathy?
Emil turned the bomb over in his hands and shook his head. "Wars don't allow much time for reflection, do they? At any rate, I would like to study your old life support system, if you don't mind."
Anakin said, "You can have it. I'm free of the things that had defined both Darth Vader and the slave Anakin."
Emil nodded and left, taking the bomb with him.
Anakin thought, 'I have the feeling that bomb will be used to increase the effectiveness of their missles.'
Looking at his student, Anakin said, "If you do not want to continue training under me, I understand."
Rick shook his head. "You said that the Empire used to be the Old Republic?"
"Yes, it was. Why?"
Rick asked, "Wouldn't that mean that you were the only one who stayed loyal to the goverment?"
"Technically, yes. Spiritually, I don't think anyone was loyal anymore."
Rick sighed. "I don't mind still learning from you. I have the feeling that you are tired of all the battles."
"That is true. I'll see you tomorrow for your next lesson."
Rick and Minmei both left Anakin's room a bit subdued about what they had heard about Anakin's past life. Anakin leaned back in his chair and let out along breath.
'They know what I am and what I have done and allowed.'
A voice cut in on his thoughts. "You feel regret, Annie. They understand that. They have also been through a war recently and do understand that things happen and people make mistakes."
Anakin turned his head and saw the glowing form of Qui-Gonn Jinn.
"Qui-Gonn Jinn. What are you doing here?"
"Moral support," the Force ghost said. "What you did was very brave, Annie. You have a bit of time before things really start getting interesting. You have until space stabalizes in this solar system. You do realize that both Yoda and Palpatine will be trying to destroy you now."
Anakin closed his eyes and nodded, as he felt the Force ghost vanish.
'Putting things together again. I should reclaim that hobby. When I have some time, maybe build a small freighter that can run rings around Captain Solo's'
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(Posted Sun, 17 Oct 2004 17:52)
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