Anakin took one step in front of the other. He knew how to walk but the body was taking a bit of time to getting used to. Not to mention he felt a lot lighter without the armor on. Leia and Padme were on both sides of him keeping him steady as they slowly made their way to the war room.

Fress and Ahsoka both stood up as they entered the room. He could see that Fress was starting to show her pregnancy a bit more then a few days ago. He turned his attention to Han who was glaring daggers at Anakin. He must've seen the damage on the Falcon by now. "What did you do to my ship?"

"The Falcon barely squeezed through one spot in the Death Star and I'll help you replace the dish," Anakin explained with a frown. "Sorry about that, it couldn't be helped."

Han shook his head as Chewie growled lightly reminding Han that it could've been worse. Losing the Falcon altogether. "I suppose you're right, Chewie. It could've been worse. Thank you for offering to help replace the dish. We'll have to look in junk yards to find one."

"I had a feeling that is where we will have to look," Anakin agreed as he sat down in one of the chairs. "So what about that message?"

"We have a crew working on it," Mara Jade answered as she turned her attention to Anakin. "So the body switch worked?" Anakin nodded as Padme leaned against his side as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He was dying to get Padme alone in a bedroom.

"Good of you to join us, General. I suspect you and Padme are dying to get some alone time. That will have to wait for now," Mon Mothma spoke up as Anakin blushed a bit. Was it that obvious? "We have more pressing concerns."

It felt good not to hide the relationship for once and that made him really happy. Threepio walked in followed by Luke causing Anakin to stand up as Luke walked to him. He wrapped his arms around his son for the first time not in the armor. He held tightly onto him before Luke let go. "Did you reach Wedge in time?"

"I did and they were able to save his fingers," Luke answered as he took a seat beside Leia. "He'll recover in a couple of days."

"That's good to hear," Anakin sat down beside Padme as she leaned her head onto his shoulder. Threepio made his way around the table as he watched the droid stand beside Leia. He noticed that Threepio didn't remember who he was or acknowledged him the way he used too. He nudged Padme as she glanced at him with a curious expression. "Did you wipe Threepio's memories?"

Padme released a sigh and nodded. "I'm sorry Anakin. I know how much that droid meant to you. We couldn't risk having Threepio tell Vader about Luke and Leia. It was a precaution. You know how chatty the droid can be."

"I know," Anakin agreed, as he felt a bit saddened as he watched Threepio. He stood up and approached Threepio.

"General, is there something I can help you with?" Threepio questioned as Anakin shook his head.

"Turn around, Threepio," Anakin commanded the droid. He wondered if they erased the hard-wired backup memories or if Bail even knew about them.

"Might I inquire as to why?" Threepio questioned as Anakin raised an eyebrow.

"Just turn around," Anakin repeated as Threepio turned around. He opened the door on the back of the droid.

"This is unortho…." Threepio began to protest as Anakin turned the droid off. He quickly noticed the spare wire for hooking up the backup memories was still intact. He quickly attached the wire to the backup memories. When he was satisfied with his work he closed the door. He turned the droid back on as Threepio looked towards Anakin.

"Well?" Anakin questioned wondering if this was a mistake. Threepio didn't say a word and just stared blankly at the wall. "Threepio?"

Threepio continued to stare at the wall as Anakin frowned. Maybe they did wipe the backup on the droid. "Mistress Padme?" The droid questioned as Padme nodded. "It's good to see you again. Especially after how Master Ani treated…" Anakin placed a hand over the droids mouth to prevent him from speaking further.

"I don't think we need to get into that, Threepio," Anakin warned the droid. "Do you remember who I am?"

"Master Ani?" Threepio questioned as Anakin nodded. "You maybe my maker, but I'm not speaking to you."

"I get it, you're mad at me. I don't blame you," Anakin spoke as he glanced at Leia who was watching with intense interest. "Just do me a favor and continue to serve Leia? Padme do you mind? And maybe one day I can earn your trust again."

"I don't mind at all," Padme agreed with a small smile.

"If he's your droid, Anakin," Han was quick to speak up causing Anakin to give a smirk. He had a feeling the droid drove Han nuts and was going to be quick to get rid of him at the opportunity that presented itself. "He should go back to serving Padme."

"And deprive me the joy of knowing he drives you nuts?" Anakin questioned in a hurt tone as Han shot him a look of disbelief. He heard a few chuckles from around the table. "You chose to court my daughter, Solo and now you have to put up with my droid."

"Anakin, think of how you can earn the droids trust back?" Han questioned causing Padme to hide a smile behind her hand. "Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"We should leave it up to, Threepio," Anakin answered with a smug grin knowing the droid wouldn't leave Leia's side now. "Threepio, would you rather serve Padme or continue to serve our daughter?"

"As much as I would like to go back to serving Mistress Padme, Master Ani. I don't mind continuing…." Threepio began to answer but Han interrupted him.

"You should think about your answer, Golden Rod," Han said with a painstakingly smile. "Go back to serving, Padme. I'm sure Leia won't mind."

"It's up to you, Threepio," Padme spoke up with a small grin. "I'm fine with it either way."

"Mistress Padme, as much as I wouldn't mind serving you again. I would like to continue to serve with Mistress Leia," Threepio answered causing Han to grumble in frustration. "Master Ani, it is good to see you again."

Anakin smiled as Mara perked up. He noticed she was wearing an earpiece as she turned her attention to Ackbar. "Admiral, we have the message decoded."

"Bring it up on the screen," Anakin commanded as Mara nodded. He turned his attention to the holo as they brought up the message. As he read the message he felt his heart sink, the Ssi-Ruuk just as Thrawn had predicted decided to invade.

"There is live footage," Mara relayed after a couple of minutes as he felt Padme's eyes on him. They brought up the footage as a bunch of escape pods were picked up by the enemy.

"Taking prisoners, that is odd," Madine mumbled under his breath stroking his beard as all eyes in the room fell on Anakin. He lowered his eyes to the floor. "General Skywalker, do you know anything about this?"

"Yes I do," Anakin answered as he looked up again. "The species is called the Ssi-Ruuk. Palpatine made a deal with them a while back. In exchange for fighters he would supply the soldiers to pilot them. Their way to power technology is barbaric."

"What do you mean by barbaric?" Ackbar questioned as his eyes swiveled to look at Anakin. "How do they power their technology?"

Anakin chewed on his lower lip. This was going to be a shocking answer as Padme watched him closely. Her face started to pale as if she suddenly didn't want to know the answer. "They power their technology with the souls of humans. If they succeed in over taking the planet, it will make it more difficult to stop them and turn them back. It will make the last war look like a walk in the park."

"How far is this planet away from us?" Mon Mothma questioned.

"Three weeks," one of the officers answered a minute later.

Anakin turned his attention to Mon Mothma. He knew she wanted to send a fleet to their aide. Maybe they could get the planet to sign over with the Alliance. He watched her closely as she turned her attention to Ackbar.

"Admiral, I move to place Luke and Anakin Skywalker in charge of this mission," Mon Mothma spoke up as Anakin's jaw dropped. "With Anakin's experience, he would be the best choice to place in second in command to Luke."

"I agree," Ackbar spoke with a frown. "General, Commander, do you accept?"

"I outrank my father in this mission?" Luke questioned with a smirk.

"Don't let it go to your head, kid," Han pointed out with a frown. "He can pull rank on you if he wants."

Luke's face fell as Anakin turned his attention to Ackbar. "I accept Admiral, I want to take the Executor with us."

"We plan to send more than that with you," Ackbar pointed out with a frown. "Luke, chose your crew and your flag ship. You will leave at dawn."

"Yes Admiral," Luke answered as Padme stood up and grabbed Anakin by the arm.

"In the meantime, General, you and I have some making up to do," Padme spoke in an excited tone. "And I plan to go with you this time."

"Padme, you and Leia will do the negotiating as Ambassadors," Mon Mothma spoke out with a smile. "Between you two, I have confidence you both will do well."

"Thanks Mon," Padme gave an appreciative smile as Anakin picked up her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you sure you can walk all the way back to our cabin?" She questioned. "You had trouble walking from the med ward to here.

"I'm willing to give it a try," Anakin answered with a mischief grin. "How about that makeup session?"

"I'm game," Padme answered with a mischief grin herself as Anakin walked out of the room.

"Good chance we won't see them again until dawn," Han joked causing Leia to groan a little.

"Han, I really didn't need to hear that," Leia mumbled under her breath.

Anakin smiled as he stumbled a bit but kept his balance. He had a feeling it wouldn't take long to gain the strength back. He had a little way to go. He was looking forward to a little time alone with Padme.

Thanks for reading :)