Star Wars

Supreme Commander Skywalker

Chapter 1

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Obi-Wan Kenobi was strolling down the familiar halls of the Jedi Temple admiring the Coruscant skyline in the middle of the night. He had been staring at the same skyline for decades but with the war raging, he had found a new appreciation for being in the Temple, if only for a couple days. He was pondering the events that had just transpired on the Invisible Hand today. Despite the death of Count Dooku the dark side hadn't lost an inch in the force. Scarily enough, it seemed the dark side had gotten stronger with the death of Count Dooku.

The sound of a door shutting at the end of the hallway shook him from his thoughts and he turned his attention to the source of the noise. He saw his former padawan sneaking out his room and something told Obi-Wan he didn't want to be followed. Usually he would call Anakin over but rumors had always gone around that Anakin left during the night. His curiosity got the best of him and he decided to follow him out of the Temple and find out where he was going.

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The speeder controls brought a feeling of warmth to Anakin's hands. There was nothing like a flying contraption to calm Anakin's mind. Luckily tonight nobody had seen him leave so he was home free to take the fastest route to Padme's apartment atop the Senate building. He scanned his identification into the speeder and it activated, lifting off the ground. He exited the hangar and flew to the Senate building which was a relatively short flight from the Jedi Temple.

He reached out with the force and could feel the emotions of the people. Some were mourning, while other were thankful things hadn't been worse. The Battle of Coruscant had taken its toll on the citizens of the planet. As he got towards the Senate building he was stopped at an aerial checkpoint guarded by four aerial security droids.

"Please hand over identification immediately we are currently in a Security Protocol 4," buzzed the security droid.

Anakin handed the droid his identification for scanning. He heard a click and a scanner popped out from between the retinal sensors of the droid. A blue light washed over his identification and the droid beeped.

"You may proceed Master Skywalker."

Anakin continued on his way to the apartment. He parked his speeder just outside her porch. He hopped over the wooden railing and walked in through the doors. He was midway through the front parlor when he heard the voice of a familiar droid.

"Oh, oh, Master Ani, welcome! Mistress Amidala is-."

"Right here." Padme Amidala was leaning on a doorway in a purple night gown. The gown almost hid the fact that she was pregnant, but Anakin could feel the life inside her in the force. Her smile seemed to warm the room and Anakin, even after three years, he couldn't get rid of the giddy feeling he felt whenever he saw her.

The protocol droid looked back and forth between the two. "I'll take this as my cue to shut down for the night," he said quietly as he walked into the backroom to leave the couple alone.

"How are you feeling?" Anakin asked as he ran up and gave her a hug. She recoiled a little as his cold skin, fresh out of the Coruscant night, made contact with her warm skin.

"Well my handmaidens are worried about my weight," she giggled. She moved back towards him and he was careful to keep his hands off her skin this time. She leaned in for a kiss, lasting longer than Anakin expected.

"Never gets old," Anakin said as they separated.

"It better not," responded Padme sending a threatening look his way.

Anakin smiled and started walking towards the bedroom. "I'm exhausted from today so I'm gonna lay down."

"Me too. With Count Dooku gone the war will be over soon and the Senate needs to devise a budget that incorporates post-war relief aid for worlds in need."

"Sounds boring," Anakin said with a yawn.

"Only for brainless brutes like you," she teased, reaching her hand over to tickle him. He jumped away from her and ran to the bed room. He took off his robe and tunic, setting them on the dresser and then laid in bed. He turned on the Holonet news and saw a picture of him on the screen.

"-killing Separatist leader Count Dooku on his flagship today. The Separatists are without a leader and analysts suggest that power will fall back into the hands of the Separatist Council, but that power is an illusion. The Cyborg General Grievous is expected to be running the show with multiple sources from inside the Separatist Alliance saying that infighting has already begun. Trade Federation stock has declined by another five hundred points with the Techno Union taking an even greater hit at minus eight hundred. Chancellor Palpatine's office told us that the Chancellor is thankful for the heroics of General Skywalker and had it not been for him, he would be a prisoner on Raxus. We caught up with General Kenobi who fought beside General Skywalker on the flagship this morning for a full interview."

"Master Kenobi thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions and for your service in this war. First off, are you proud of your former Padawan for taking out Count Dooku?"

"The word take out isn't really a word we like to use. Count Dooku was resisting arrest and if Anakin could have taken him alive he would have. Unfortunately for the Count, he was putting up too much of a fight and Anakin was forced to take his life." Anakin could feel his chest drop. The Chancellor had ordered him to kill Dooku, but he could have denied doing it. Dooku was defenseless, and he knew his master would be disappointed if he knew the truth.

"Are you proud of your Padawan though?"

Anakin sat up. His master had never shown much emotion on this topic. He was humble about it and preferred to stay out of that spotlight. He was about to turn it off when he saw Obi-Wan smiled on screen.

"Anakin has become an even greater Jedi than myself. Every Master wants his student to surpass him. He progressed much faster than usual and it's a bit aggravating when he beats me in droid counts every time, but yes. I'm the most proud a man can be." There was some shuffling offscreen and the camera turned to the reporter.

"Unfortunately that is all the time we have with General Kenobi. Great insight by one of our brave heroes."

Anakin turned off the Holonet and laid down on the bed. He hadn't noticed Padme had laid down next to him. "Is everything alright?"

"Truthfully? No," he struggled to get the words he was trying to say out. "Nothing seems right anymore. The dark side feels stronger even with the death of Dooku. Nothing feels right."

"Ani, these past few days have pushed you to the brink and stress has a funny way of messing with our heads. All you need is some rest," Padme suggested as she pulled him towards her.

Anakin sighed, "I'm gonna get some fresh air. I just need to think."

He walked through the apartment and back on the porch where his speeder was parked. He stood out watching the speeders form a line of lights in the distance. His intense inner turmoil was burning inside him, and he was fearful for what this could mean. It felt like someone was putting thoughts in his head. Doubt, anger, jealousy, fear. These weren't unfamiliar emotions to him but the magnitude at which they were resonating far exceeded what he was used to.

Count Dooku's death was supposed to bring balance to the force. He was the Chosen One right? But the death of Count Dooku had only served to unbalance the force even more. Whats more, he was thrilled to learn his wife was pregnant, but what did that mean for his future in the order? The Jedi Council would discover it eventually. There was so much uncertainty in a moment where he had expected himself to be happy.

He could feel a tear rolling down his cheek. The warmth of it did little to comfort him and he couldn't fathom a way in which he could do this alone.

"You seem troubled."

He spun around and ignited his lightsaber. His master was sitting on the railing in the corner. "What are you doing here?" Anakin growled.

Obi-Wan stood up and slowly walked towards him and Anakin still hadn't disengaged his lightsaber. "I saw you leaving the temple and decided to follow you. Your emotions are a storm in the force."

Anakin closed his eyes and reached out trying to calm himself. He felt a hand touch his shoulder and he shut off his lightsaber and threw it to the ground.

Obi-Wan continued, "is there something you want to share with me Anakin."

Anakin knew his master was no fool and that he knew everything now. Obi-Wan had always had a keen mind. "Are you going to tell the council?" He asked.

"No," Obi-Wan said dropping his hand from Anakin's shoulder and sitting down on the ledge beside him. "Anakin this war has stressed all of us out. What you have with Padme," he gulped, "it's what I wish I could have had with Satine."

Anakin looked up at his master and saw tears starting to form. Obi-Wan had never shown emotion like this before. He was always so tightly wound and to see him empathizing with him over and obvious violation of the Jedi Code shocked him.

"Obi-Wan, I-," he struggled to form a sentence, "I don't think my place is in the Jedi Order. Ahsoka leaving. It opened my eyes that there is more to the force than the Jedi and the Sith. Code and doctrine is limiting me and I think I could be more effective if I can channel the light on my own. These rules are pushing me to a dangerous place."

"You're my brother Anakin. If you choose to leave the order I will support you. I can feel the stress building, and I fear what it might do to you."

They both turned to look at the Coruscant skyline. The force seemed calmer in this moment, and the future didn't seem so bad. The night breeze was warm and offered some comfort to the two men.

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"The events that have transpired were unforeseen," Palpatine growled as he folded his hands on his desk. The sudden surge in light side energy from Anakin Skywalker had indeed surprised him which worried Palpatine. He had felt the storm of emotions from him but in one fell swoop, calamity had washed over the beacon in the force. He knew it wasn't the result of a certain Naboo Senator. If it had been, it would have been a rush of love. No, this was a rush of understanding. It was as if someone had given him validation and the strength to rise above. He had felt empowerment. But not in the sense of power itself, more likely that of freedom.

The Vice-Chair of the Galactic Senate, Mas Amedda stepped closer to the desk. "Will this affect your plans Chancellor?"

"No. I can still turn the tide, but my strategy must be revised," Palpatine said as he leaned back in his chair, the gears already turning in his head.

"What changed my lord," the Chagrian asked, still standing stiffly in front of the Chancellor's desk.

Palpatine frowned, "his values. I can no longer sway him with visions of what could be. I have to show him what he's been missing out on. Summon the boy to my office tomorrow morning."

"It will be done," the Vice-Chair said with a bow before turning and exiting the office. The Chancellor sat back in his chair and folded his hands, reaching out to feel Skywalker's emotions, but only feeling harmony. He slammed his hands on the table feeling them sting which only fueled his anger even more.

He went into a side room and activated a secure line. He donned his black hood and typed in a contact into the Holotable. "General Grievous," the Sith Lord greeted.

"My lord," the General said rushing into a bow, "this is an unexpected honor."

"Dispense with the pleasantries General," Palpatine commanded angrily. He had no time for such words when his plans were in jeopardy. "Stay hidden on Utapau for now. When I command it, you will make yourself known there."

"It will be done Lord Sidious," he coughed out.

"Do not fail me General or I will personally track you down and eliminate you myself," threatened Palpatine as he ended the call. He could sense the fear radiating from the General systems away. He had little to no contact with Grievous throughout the war, but when he had the General had felt fear like he had never felt it before. The cyborg was a tool and nothing more. He needed the General to know that second chances did not exist. The fate of his plans rested on the General, and his eventual downfall to Anakin Skywalker.

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Anakin felt like a new man as he walked towards the door to the Chancellor's office. He still wasn't quite sure if he would leave the order since it had been his home since he was nine. He was almost relieved when he was summoned to the Chancellor's office. He didn't know what it was for, but perhaps during the meeting he could get some insight from his wise mentor. He found himself face to face with the Red Guards at the door and they stepped aside to let him in. He nodded to them and he continued through the door in the hall separating the main hallway from the Chancellor's office. There was a red guard in each corner of the hallway and their unmoving presence was impressive. Anakin had to admit he respected them greatly. They stood there endlessly all day and never once did their emotions seem to be wavering. They were drones in the force and the stamina and discipline it took to be one would probably overwhelm him, not to mention bore him.

The doors to the office opened and as he stepped through. It seemed to be warmer in the office than it did the halls. Whether that was because the Chancellor had the heat running or because he was in the company of a longtime friend was unclear to him.

"Anakin, my boy, good to see you!" The chancellor said as he looked up from his desk and stood up, his face bright. His wrinkles almost seem to disappear when he smiled.

"It's good to see you too your excellency," Anakin said with a bow. The Chancellor was wearing a red cloak, a color often seen worn by the Naboo nobility back on the Chancellor's homeworld.

Anakin I've told you a million times you don't have to bow for me, we've been friends for so long," he said as he came around the desk and shook his hand. "Please sit, can I get you anything to eat or drink? The kitchens have soup that would satisfy a droid."

"I'm fine for now," Anakin answered with a smile. Chancellor Palpatine was like the father figure he had never had. He had always been kind to him even when he was a young boy. A great contrast to the no nonsense attitude the Jedi Order seemed to carry about everywhere they went.

The Chancellor frowned, "don't lie to me boy I know you too well." He tapped a button on the desk, "can I get two soup specials up to the office."

"Yes sir, right away," came a voice from the other end. The Chancellor looked up and smiled, I don't need the greatest Jedi in history to starve to death in my office.

"I don't know about that," Anakin responded with a grin. Anakin couldn't deny that he enjoyed the praise the Chancellor showered him in, but he had to be humble about it. He only allowed his cockiness to show around Obi-Wan and Ahsoka.

"Well I do. You've won more battles than any other Jedi and you're by far the most powerful. The Sith would be wise to fear you. They should have waited another century to start this war then they would have had a better chance," chuckled the Chancellor.

"I can agree to that," Anakin responded, relaxing in his chair a bit. "Why did you summon me Chancellor, is there a mission you need me to do?"

Palpatine shook his head, "no, no I just wanted to catch up. These days you never get to spend time doing things you enjoy and talking to you is always a great joy. You're one of the few people I can trust on this lousy metropolis of a planet."

Anakin laughed. He didn't like Coruscant much either. When he first came here it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen, but over the years the true nature of the planet had begun to show itself. Planets like Naboo were much more beautiful and suitable for residence. The lake country versus the city? He knew what he would choose. "You can always trust me Chancellor. I'm not much a fan of the way of the Senate."

"Yes sometimes I wish I was force sensitive and joined the order. Less squabbling and bickering."

"That's not always true. The council chambers can be a nightmare from time to time. These days making decisions are a losing battle for everyone," sneered Anakin.

"Yes the Oligarchy they have set up is unfortunately inefficient. I never understood why they don't elect one person to run the show every five or so years like the Republic does."

"Jedi tradition," Anakin muttered as if the phrase itself left a bad taste in his mouth.

"If progress is a bird, tradition is a cage. I always asked Master Yoda why the Jedi haven't gone through any reformations and evolutions," he lowered his voice and leaned in towards Anakin, "between you and me, the Senate thinks the Jedi Order has grown stagnant because of this thousand year old doctrine."

The door opened and a waitress came in with two bowls of soup and a water. She smiled at them as she set them down and scurried out of the room. When the door closed Palpatine smiled.

"I'm gonna let mine cool down a bit but feel free to dig in. I heard the senate kitchen staff and the temple kitchen staff have a rivalry on whose food is better."

"Well the cooks at the temple are very talented," Anakin said as he spooned out some soup. His eyes widened. "This dish has me siding with the Senate."

Palpatine smiled and look down at his spoon, deciding whether or not he wanted to eat yet. He eventually gave in and slurped up some broth. He winced at the hotness of the soup and quickly swallowed it.

"Not warm enough?" Joked Anakin watching the Chancellor trying to cool his tongue.

"Burned my tongue," he said with a laugh, "but I agree that soup is very good. But enough of food, tell me about what you've been doing since we last spoke after the Battle of Coruscant."

Anakin hesitated. He wanted his advice but didn't know how Palpatine would take the news of him wanting to leave the order. Palpatine noticed his hesitation and sighed.

"After all these years you should know you can tell me anything."

"I just-," Anakin struggled to put what he wanted to say in the right words. "When I killed Count Dooku, it felt like I was an executioner and that's not the Jedi way. But at the same time, it was the right thing to do. The Jedi are holding me back. While I know the dark side is wrong, I've been thinking I want to try and find a middle ground. My padawan Ahsoka could fight at her full potential on Mandalore and while the battle isn't over yet, it seems she has Maul's forces on the run."

"And you believe you would be more effective if you weren't tied down by Jedi doctrine?" Palpatine asked.

"Potentially," Anakin answered, "And there's something else."

Palpatine raised an eyebrow in anticipation. He was the only man Anakin knew besides Obi-Wan that wouldn't take his upcoming fatherhood as a bad thing. "Padme is pregnant. It won't be long until the Jedi figure it out. I might as well leave on a good note so I can have a healthy relationship with them."

"A wise move," quipped Palpatine as he finished the last of his soup and set it on the side of the table. He already knew his successor to his old Senate post was pregnant, he had been causing Anakin's dreams, but he acted like he was surprised.

"I just don't know what I'll do after I leave. Serving the Republic has been my whole life and I don't want to stop, I just don't know if I want to be a Jedi anymore."

"Have you considered politics? I'm sure Padme would give you a role on her staff," suggested Palpatine. Anakin almost laughed.

"Already crossed off the list. That's her sphere and I don't want to intrude. We both need to have our own worlds separate from each other."

"I agree. The worst thing you can do in a relationship is be with each other all day. That is what I suffered from." Palpatine said. Anakin knew Palpatine had a son, but they were estranged and the Chancellor had told him they hadn't talked in years. Anakin didn't want to dive into that topic again. Palpatine folded his hands and looked around the room for some inspiration. He smiled and Anakin looked up wondering what he was thinking. "There is some precedent to Jedi leaving the order and fighting in the Republic Military. Granted, it did lead to the rise of Darth Revan, but I have faith you won't walk down the same path as he did."

"What would my role be?" Anakin asked, perking his ears. He would love to continue to serve in the war and see the Republic through to victory.

"My boy I would make you the Supreme Commander of all Republic Forces. We haven't had one since the Ruusan Reformations and I offered the position to Master Windu but he refused, and I abandoned my search."

"What would I do in this job?" Anakin inquired.

"You would be the highest ranking officer in the Republic next to me and serve as my right hand. You would be on the Republic High Command and serve as their de facto leader. Everything they don't bring to me would be brought to you for approval. Of course I know how much you despise committees so in your absence they would just function how they have all war. It's a powerful position, but I believe you are more than ready."

Anakin smiled, "That sounds like a post I would be interested in. I still have to decide whether I want to leave though."

Palpatine smiled warmly, "of course my boy, I don't want to rush you. This is a big decision for you," he looked at the time, "I have a meeting with Senator Mothma in a couple minutes so if you don't have anything else you want to talk about I think we'll end it here."

"Of course Chancellor it was good seeing you," Anakin said as he stood up. The Chancellor stood up and followed him over to the door of the office.

"Let me know what you decide."

"I will Chancellor thank you," Anakin responded, walking back out the doors, passing the red guards.

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A/N: And that's the first chapter. I haven't written anything in awhile so it feels good to be back. I've written some half chapters and even gotten to two or three chapters on some stories before I ran out of inspiration. If you like this story, a follow and a favorite are always appreciated. I'm getting to a point where I have enough free time to write. Constructive criticism is much appreciated.