The Absolution- Chapter 2

-Chapter Two-

The next morning the landing bay was abuzz; a smuggling ship had arrived with much needed supplies. This was the downfall of hiding themselves so completely, the supply lines were scarce.

Luke strolled casually along the perimeter of the bustle, watching in interest as the most vital of the cargo was hurried to its destination. It was a food and medical shipment, one of its kind the Rebels hadn't seen in weeks.

He came around the freighter and saw several members of the Alliance High Command surrounding the pilot, most likely thanking him for the risks he undertook to deliver to them. Luke continued walking, his view of the conversation rotating as if he were a satellite orbiting the small group. He sighed, looking away from the conversation; his walk had brought him to the corridor that led to the mess hall and he hadn't eaten breakfast yet…

He suddenly frowned; he felt as if he'd been nudged…

He shook his head, That's crazy…

He looked back towards the small group gathered at the base of the freighter's ramp; the pilot was staring directly at him.

Luke's frown deepened, but something inside him was screaming:

Go over there.

His legs moved without his consent, pushing him forward, towards the center of the bay. The man still watched him, and the group surrounding him fell silent as they realized his attention was no longer theirs.

Luke stopped just outside the group; he studied the man carefully: his tall build, his blonde shining hair, his crystal blue eyes…

The young man frowned, he looks familiar…

Before Luke could further ponder familiarities, the pilot stepped forward, offering his hand.

"Hello, young man," his voice was amazing soothing, yet held a masked authority to it, "I am Anakin Re'dav."

"Luke Skywalker."

So they tell you.

Luke frowned, did he just say something?

"A pleasure, Skywalker," Anakin said, this time Luke was certain he spoke. The pilot tuned back to Mon Mothma, smiling politely, "This base seems very secure, have you heard any word of the Imperial Fleet's location?"

Mothma sighed, "They have been circling us, skirting by as if they're trying to hone in on something but can't quite lock on."

Leia's eyes narrowed as she caught the quick glance that Anakin threw at Luke. This was an odd sort of smuggler.

"Is there any indication of a spy?"

"If there were a spy," Leia cut in curtly, "They would have found us by now."

Anakin smiled at her politely, "Of course, your highness." He opened his mouth to speak again when a blaring alarm sounded.

"It seems that they have," Re'dav muttered under his breath.

Mothma hastily called an apology to Anakin as she and the rest of the High Command rushed to the command center, leaving Luke and Anakin standing in the center of a base on Red Alert. Anakin was looking up at what appeared to be nothing; Luke was looking at him.

"Don't you have a ship to get to, young Skywalker?" Anakin asked softly; barely audible above the alarms and yelling.

Luke flinched slightly, "I've been grounded."

Anakin looked down at him, an eyebrow raised, "Indeed. Why?"

Luke shrugged, his annoyance at the situation evident through his posture, "I don't know."

Anakin's eyes narrowed, a strange look passed over his features, "Indeed…"

"Want to catch breakfast with me?"

Anakin raised an eyebrow at the younger man, "The base just went on Red Alert…"

Luke shrugged, "Yeah, and what would you like me to do about it? Duck and cover?"

Anakin smirked and clapped Luke on the back as they began to walk, avoiding the running techs and pilots, "You seem… bitter, young Skywalker."

Luke rolled his eyes, "That's the understatement of the century."

Anakin smiled a secret smile, "I have heard that you are an exceptional pilot…"

Luke threw a suspicious look at the older man, "Oh really?"

Anakin nodded.

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Where'd you hear that?"

The pilot shrugged, "Spaceports, here and there; I travel a lot."

Luke looked away, pressing his lips together as he processed Anakin's words, "I find it hard to believe that my name is floating around spaceports…"

Anakin smirked as Luke's humility, "You're a hero to the resistance."

Luke leaned against the doors to the mess hall, pushing them apart with his shoulder, "That's debatable."

Anakin caught the door as it swung past Luke; he frowned at the young man, "Debatable? On what grounds?"

Luke stuck his thumb against his chest, "Mine."

"Well, that hardly counts."

Luke stopped suddenly, and turned to face Anakin Re'dav. He leaned close, peering up at the much taller man, "You don't have the dialect of any smuggler I've ever met."

Anakin raised an eyebrow, his expression remained adamant.

"And," Luke continued, lowering his voice despite that the mess hall was deserted, "No one else would risk navigating into here: too much risk, not enough payoff."

Anakin favored Luke with a slight tilt of his head, "And what does that tell you, young Skywalker?"

The young man's lower lip stuck out slightly, he then spun on his heel and continued towards the food dispenser, "It tells me I'm hungry," he murmured; leaving Anakin to smile at his sulking back.

Part I | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI