Surrender Ch. 2: Coruscant I (Part 2: Cool Hand Anakin)

Anakin did not remember being taken off the ship on Coruscant. He did not remember returning to the Jedi Temple. When he awoke, though, he was there, and it was light. Morning.

Something felt strange. He looked down. It was his arm-- it was metal. They'd attached the prosthetic while he slept. He lifted his new appendage to examine it more closely. It shone conspicuously golden in the light. Already he could discern its basic workings-- which wires and rods controlled what. And he knew that somewhere below its base, just below his elbow, it connected to his nerves and muscles. An extension of himself.

Yet it was so... well... mechanical. So distinctly not alive. This arm could not feel the Force. He had never known what it was like not to sense the Force all through his body before this. Even as a small slave boy on Tatooine, he'd felt it, though he hadn't realized what it was. Indeed, he had never truly noticed its presence until now, when he knew what its absence felt like. Was this how most people went through their lives? It was like being blind! Yes. Half of one arm was mechanical and blind.

Yet even the blind, he knew, learned how to read and write and play music. They developed the skills they had, learned to see without sight. He would do the same. He would work harder than he ever had, practice often, and become better than he had been before. Then, one day, he would kill Dooku.

Tentatively, he tested his new hand's movement. The fingers flexed, one by one, at his silent command. Together, they opened and closed. It wasn't much; it still felt strange. But it would do.

One of the older Temple healers walked in. Anakin couldn't quite remember her name.

"Welcome home, Padawan Skywalker," she greeted him.

"Good morning," Anakin returned.

"Afternoon, actually. Your prosthetic, as you can see, was attached this morning, but we thought it best not to wake you."

Anakin sat forward, surprised. "What have I missed?" he asked. "What's happened? Where have the Separatists gone? Has anyone found Dooku? Where is Master Obi-Wan and how is--" he fumbled his words, and started again. "Has Senator Amidala returned to Naboo?" Of course, he knew she hadn't. He wanted to hear any news, though, anything involving Padmé.

"Calm down, young man. Alert is one thing, over-excited is another." Her voice was clipped and professional. "You haven't missed much. The clone army is gathering here on Coruscant. Unfortunately, the Separatist forces have scattered, and no one knows where they will convene. It seems, for a time, that all we can do is wait for them to attack again, unless we get word of their massing somewhere. There has been no sign of Count Dooku. Your Master is resting, and unless it is quite necessary, I would not recommend disturbing him. And no, from what I've heard, Senator Amidala remains here. It seems her wounds were not serious, and I heard Master Yoda mention that she fought well. The Force was with her, he said. Is that all?"

As she spoke, she had been examining his prosthetic, testing its reflex and range of motion.

"Master Yoda was here?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, earlier. How are you feeling, padawan, other than inquisitive?"

"Sore," he answered. "And hungry. My arm hurts, but less than before."

"The pain will subside over the next few days. Food will be brought to you shortly. You should be able to sleep in your own quarters tonight, if you'd like."

Anakin thought he would like that very much. It seemed that a lifetime had passed since he's last spent a night in the Temple.

As the padawan ate, the healer explained most succinctly all that had transpired in the Senate, and how Palpatine had come to have the power to create an army.

Good for Jar Jar, Anakin found himself thinking. I knew he had it in him, to stand up when he was most needed.

After the healer left, Anakin found himself alone and bored. He tried several times to meditate, but he always ended up thinking of Padmé. He'd dreamed about her last night, he realized, though he could not now remember the details of the dream. All he could remember was that she had been there, looking into his eyes with love. He tried to imagine what she was doing at that moment, but there his imagination came up short. He knew very little about what Senators did with their days. They couldn't possibly be in committee meetings all the time, could they?

It was in the middle of this reflection that the healer came back in, looking rather flustered.

"Padawan Skywalker," she said, "Chancellor Palpatine is here to see you!"

Anakin's eyes widened in surprise. "He's come here? To see me?" The healer nodded. "Like this?" His eyes turned nervously to his new arm.

"Of course, if you're not feeling up to it, I can tell him to go away..."

"No! No, that won't be necessary. I'd be happy to see the Chancellor." Anakin was dumbfounded. He had always felt that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had a certain fatherly fondness for him, but he'd never come to the Temple and sought him out before. It was incredible-- that the ruler of the galaxy should have such an interest in him. Yet the evidence that he did was overwhelming, especially now as he regally seated himself beside Anakin's bed.

"Congratulations on your appointment, Chancellor," the padawan was quick to state.

"Thank you, young man. Well, well, Anakin, you have proved yourself to be quite a hero."

"I have, sir?" he asked, confused. He had taken the person he was meant to be protecting into a dangerous situation, an action that in less complicated circumstances would easily have gotten him expelled. He had then failed to stop Dooku and had lost his arm in the process. None of these things, in his opinion, qualified him for hero status.

"Indeed, you have, my young friend. You fought valiantly. There are not many who possess the courage to take on a seasoned Jedi of Count Dooku's skill."

"Thank you, sir." Anakin's eyes stayed fixed on his metal arm.

"Oh," Palpatine noticed the direction of his gaze. "Of course, I realize the loss of your arm must be extremely trying for you-- to be less than whole. The use of your hand will never be the same again, I don't doubt. A terrible loss." Anakin could not meet his gaze, ashamed. "But I have no doubt that you will recover fully. After all, Anakin, I need the very best to lead my army."

The young Jedi looked up with a small, gratified smile. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Oh..." Palpatine seemed suddenly to remember something. "I am given to understand that I should offer you my condolences. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother."

Anakin's eyes fell again. The Chancellor's kind words only flooded him with a renewed pain and grief. "Thank you," he responded quietly.

"The Jedi should not have kept you from her for so long." Anakin nodded wordlessly. "May I ask... how did it happen?"

"She was taken by a tribe of Tusken Raiders," he replied flatly.

"Oh, dear. It must have been dreadful. I cannot begin to imagine what you've been through." Anakin only nodded again. "And yet you continued with your mission to protect Senator Amidala, and came through on Geonosis."

"It helped," Anakin confessed, "having Padmé-- Senator Amidala there with me."

The padawan thought he saw a glimmer of understanding in the Chancellor's eyes. "I am glad of that," he said. "If I recall correctly, as a young boy you were quite taken with her."

Anakin found himself smiling again, shyly, at the chance to talk about Padmé. "Yes, sir, I was. I was very glad to spend time with her again. I've never... I've never known anyone like her."

"And, of course," Palpatine added dryly, "She has grown into quite a beautiful young lady."

Anakin barely stopped himself from agreeing wholeheartedly. "We're friends now." His mind strayed to their parting kiss. "Very good friends." He was very glad that the Chancellor did not have Jedi abilities-- his thoughts would have betrayed him instantly. "It's funny-- we've spent only a few days together in ten years, but it feels like we've never been apart." Anakin became aware of a very strange look on Palpatine's face. He could almost believe that he really had read his mind. But no-- that wasn't possible. And besides, the look had vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Maybe he was only imagining it.

"Yes, Senator Amidala is certainly unique and often... surprising," Palpatine said.

"I shouldn't have put her in danger," Anakin admitted, half to himself. "We shouldn't have gone to Geonosis."

"Nonsense. Your Master's life was in obvious peril. Not even Master Yoda could rightly blame you for coming to his aid. You are a brave young man-- indeed, without you, Master Kenobi would likely have perished. As I see it, you had very little choice but to go to Geonosis. I think your decision was the right one."

"Thank you, sir."

"No need for that. Rest assured, I understand perfectly." Palpatine smiled. "If anything, this battle proves what I have said before-- you are already a great Jedi. The Order cannot now fail to recognize it." Anakin felt his face redden. "And to reward you," the Chancellor continued, "perhaps there is something I can do. Perhaps you would like to.. escort Senator Amidala on her return to Naboo."

"Thank you," Anakin answered, somewhat surprised, "but my Master has already given me permission to do that, and the Senator has given her assent."

"Ah." Now it was Palpatine's turn to appear surprised. Not displeased, certainly, just surprised. "I see. Well, that is good news. I'm sure you will enjoy your time together. I don't like to say so, Anakin, but it pains me to see such a bright young woman swept up in her duties and not taking the time to experience a normal life." Anakin nodded his agreement, though he would not lend vocal support to any critical words about Padmé. "I hope that her contact with you allows her to enjoy herself, and be happy. In short," here the Chancellor allowed a slight chuckle, "that you will have a positive influence on our Senator Amidala."

Anakin smiled. "I'll try, Your Honor. Sir..." the young padawan looked suddenly uncomfortable.

"Yes, Anakin?"

"Well... while it's not necessary for you to intervene in my escorting the Senator home, there is something..."

"You have only to name it, my young friend," Palpatine said kindly.

"Would you... That is, I'd like to see her before we go. To make travel plans. As soon as possible. And my Master is wounded, so I don't want to disturb him about..."

"Say no more," the Chancellor interrupted. "It just so happens that I have a meeting with the Loyalist Committee tomorrow, and if I know Amidala, she will be sure to attend. I shall insist on your presence, young Skywalker."

Anakin nodded his gratitude. "Thank you, Chancellor."

Palpatine got up to leave, but paused and turned back. "Oh, and should you find it necessary, the Senate Apartment buildings are always open to Jedi." Without another word, the Supreme Chancellor glided from the room.


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