ANAKIN SKYWALKER          

  “Skywalker, we need you in the De-briefing Room now.” 

Anakin Skywlker was jostled out of sleep by Mace Windu’s voice coming from his com-link, which had unfortunately been right next to his ear while he was napping. At Padmé Amidala’s home on Coruscant, he had been relaxing on a couch and must have fallen asleep.

   “Ahh,” he groaned, fearing the worst: he was no doubt late for something or other back at the Jedi Temple. He grabbed his Jedi cloak off of a chair and was about to run out when he nearly crashed into his wife, Padmé, who was carrying some refreshments on a tray.

 “Ani? Why in such a hurry?” she asked, smiling quizzically at him. 

 “Oh, um, Padmé, uh, I’m needed at the Temple, and I’m late for a meeting. I – I have to go.” He pointed towards the door with a grimace. 

 “Oh. I was just really looking forward to our evening together.” She looked more than a little disappointed, but said nothing.

  “Hey, I’m really sorry, but judging from the tone of Windu’s voice, it’s urgent.”

  “No, no, it’s all right. I have a bill to prepare anyways, Anakin. Go on.” 

  “Thanks. I have to get going. But remember…” 

  He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth. Then, pulling away, the young Jedi Knight ran to the doorway off the balcony. “…I love you,” he yelled. “And I’ll stay longer next time!”

  “Sorry, am I late?” asked Anakin as he entered the De-briefing Room. He discreetly smoothed down his long golden-brown hair, in hopes of looking like he hadn’t just run all the way there. Which he had. 

  “Ah, Skywalker,” said Windu. “Only by a few minutes, which is far better than the last time.”

  The younger Jedi looked appropriately ashamed, even though he was really a little unhappy about not being able to stay the night with his wife. 

  “Get started, we must,” said Master Yoda. “An urgent message we have received, from Senator Bonteri, erhm, yes. A call for help, it was.” 

  “We received this transmission a few minutes ago. I think that we will all be interested by what it conveys,” said Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

  A frozen image of Lux Bonteri popped up on the large holo-transmitter. While the Council members waited patiently for the transmission to load, the gears in Anakin’s mind were hard at work. Was there a possible link between Ahsoka and the Senator? It had been over six months, but he still thought about her often. 

  “Hello? Jedi Council, come in,” said the hologram, which was finished loading. “Onderon is under attack. The king is safe, but clone forces here are being overrun. We need reinforcements within the next rotation. Iziz is the main target. I repeat: our forces are being overrun. We need reinforcements within the next rotation. Onderon needs you.” 

  The transmission ended. All of the Jedi present had very clearly heard the noises of a full-on combat in the background, and seen a Clone Trooper fighting off a commando droid briefly get close enough to be captured in the transmission. Master Yoda turned towards the young Jedi.

“Skywalker, your men, getting restless, they are. Take them to Onderon to assist Senator Bonteri, you must. Master Obi-Wan, with you will go.” 

“Yes, Master,” said Anakin, glancing over at his former Master and good friend with a smile. “We will prepare our departure immediately.”

The two Jedi bowed and left the room. Once out of earshot, Obi-Wan commented, “You look happy to get going.” 

“Well, of course, if it means that there’s a chance of seeing Ahsoka again.” 

“I knew it. You did say that the Senator was with your old padawan when she came back for her lightsabers.” 

“Yes, so it’s a possibility that I’ll find her again on Onderon.” He had an odd expression on his face. “I hope I do. I just hope.”