A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far Away

Chapter 129

Idiot!! Sidious was there!!

Anakin had half a mind to just carry Luna as he hurried them out of the opera house, even as she began to start keeping up better. In his opinion, they couldn't get away quick enough.

Palpatine knew it. He knew a legend that wasn't really a legend. He knew about a Sith Lord that had been alive recently.

And with all that talk, arguing really, no matter what Palpatine said, of the differences of Jedi and Sith....

Anakin felt like slamming his head into the wall. He should have noticed that Luna wasn't placing herself into the debate like normal, especially on a topic as important as that one.

Sidious had been right there, somewhere, close enough to try and choke her to death right next to him.

It made his blood boil.

How could Anakin not have noticed?

As it was, if it hadn't been for Palpatine mentioning the legend, then Anakin may not have noticed until it was too late. The fact that the Chancellor himself had mentioned it was enough for Anakin to glance at Luna to see if she could try to tell him what in the name of the Force her warning was about, only to find that she wasn't even breathing and that her face was blue.

It was enough to make him leave. In fact, just hearing the mention of Plagueis from Palpatine was more than enough to make him want to leave, the fact Luna's life was in danger made it not only more urgent but also made a marginally good cover considering the Chancellor probably couldn't tell that it was anything more than an illness.

Part of Anakin wondered for a moment if it was actually a good idea to leave if Sidious was so close to them, that ment Palpatine was in danger....

But the Sith had been around Palpatine for a while. It was unlikely Sidious would take any real action against the Chancellor that night. It was Luna who really needed to get away.

Anakin only began slowing down once they made it insight of the speeder.

"Are you alright? And I want the truth this time," he said, stopping as he looked down at her. Luna's face had gained a normal hue once more and while she was still breathing hard, it looked like she had recovered.

"I'm fine, really," she replied. Anakin gently brushed her bangs out of the way before putting his hand on her forehead and sensing her.

Physically, yes, Luna was telling the truth. Mentally?

She was radiating with fear. It was only thanks to her mental shields and Anakin's distraction up until that point that he hadn't noticed.

What puzzled him most was how, despite the fact Luna was obviously terrified through the Force, she looked, and acted, as normal as ever.

Actually no, Anakin thought to himself as he frowned, her eyes tell a different story.

"Sidious was there," he stated as he removed his hand. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not yet the right time," Luna replied.

"He could have killed you!"

"It was a calculated move, Anakin. It would have been too suspicious if he had actually killed me there, and believe me, I would be long dead if he had wanted to."

"It was a calculated move?! You knew he would be there?!" Anakin was practically growling.

"I had to be there. You may not know why, but I did."

"Luna, you need to stop gambling with your life!"

"Anakin, that wasn't my choice! The moment I arrived on Coruscant, my life became part of the overall equation! I have to gamble with it, because that's all I'm willing to let the galaxy lose! Me."

"Luna, think about what you're saying! You can't seriously—"

"If I have to die to keep the Empire for forming, Vader from falling, then so be it. My life is more than worth the sacrifice," Luna replied, her voice hard. Anakin could tell she was dead serious.

Over my dead body, he thought to himself. No matter what she thought, Anakin wasn't going to let Luna get herself killed. "Promise me you at least won't try to get yourself killed."

"I promise," she said after a moment. "I don't want to die." Anakin allowed himself to relax slightly before leading them the rest of the way to the speeder.

"Good."