Gunner Hancock grinned from ear
to ear as he sat across from Anakin.
“You’re sure it’s a nice place?”
the Chosen One asked through a mouthful of
food.
The Jedi nodded as he took
another swallow of his ruby colored liqueur. “From
what I’m told it is. Course it’s been a while –
probably a year or more.”
Gunner and Anakin had become
friends several years ago, having met while serving on
board the same command ship during the Clone Wars. A
war that had ended five years prior and both were
heavily involved with the ever-growing Rebel Alliance.
Gunner Hancock was a Corellian Jedi and had earned
Anakin’s trust through their many encounters with the
Empire. He was a notorious prankster and he and Anakin
had pulled some stunts through the years that caused
no end of trouble, but laughter as well. Of course,
his charming demeanor, not to mention his fiery red
hair and hazel eyes, had a way of keeping him out of
too much trouble.
As they continued their meal,
Anakin wondered if his friend was sending him on a
wild chase or actually sincere – neither of which
could be perceived by the look in his face or his
thoughts. Gunner was exceptional at shielding and it
had saved his hide on more than one occasion.
With a quizzical look on his face
Anakin studied his friend, trying to ascertain the
information. You wouldn’t be pulling a fast one on
me, would you? he mentally asked his friend.
Gunner’s facial expression
remained unchanged. No. I want you and Padmé to
have a good time. “Tell you what,” Gunner spoke,
“I’ll even make the arrangements for you. Everything
will be fine – trust me.” His teeth gleamed white
through his impressive smile.
Anakin sat back in his chair and
ran a hand through his sandy blonde locks,
contemplating the offer. Finally, he relented. “If
this is one of your stunts, it’s not me you have to
worry about, but my wife! And if there’s one person in
the universe you don’t want angry at you it’s Padmé!”
Gunner raised his glass and said,
“To your well-deserved vacation then!”
**************************************************************************
Everything had been arranged as
Gunner had promised and Anakin was packing a few last
minute items when Obi-Wan Kenobi – his friend and
mentor – approached the doorway and leaned against the
doorframe.
“You’re sure about this? I know
you and Padmé need a vacation, but Gunner? For all you
know he could be sending you into the desert.”
“We’ll be fine, Master.” Anakin
replied as he grinned and closed the suitcase. Obi-Wan
knew all too well about Gunner and his antics.
“Where’s Padmé?”
“Saying goodbye to the twins,”
Obi-Wan said with a sigh. “Why do I have a bad feeling
about this?”
Picking up the suitcase, which
had become rather heavy for some reason, Anakin hauled
it out of the room – stopping long enough to smirk at
his Master. “Jealous?” He arched an eyebrow and
grinned mischievously.
Obi-Wan Forced-pushed Anakin just
a bit as his friend left the room, nearly making him
lose his balance from the heavy luggage. “No,” he
retorted, returning the grin.
A multitude of hugs and kisses
later from Luke and Leia, as well as Padmé going over
every bit of instruction for the twins care to Obi-Wan
for the third time, the couple finally left to begin
their wondrous vacation.
They boarded the transport that
would take them to Alderaan and then caught yet
another transport that would take them to their final
destination. So far everything was proceeding
according to plan….
**************************************************************************
Nevus is a pleasant planet that
was much like Naboo in it scenery. It boasted luscious
lakes, unending forests, mountains that extended far
into the clouds in addition to a few ominous deserts.
But the populace of the planet was a virtual plethora
of various races living together in harmony.
It was early afternoon when the
couple stepped off the transport along with numerous
other visitors and quickly hailed the next available
hover-taxi. Padmé still had no idea where they were
going, despite her attempts to lull it out of her
husband. Content with just being together, she leaned
into his chest while they waited for their ride.
“Be careful beloved.” Anakin
grinned.
Padmé giggled. “Whatever for, my
husband?”
“If you keep leaning into me that
way, I won’t be responsible for my actions.” He gazed
at her seductively.
“Like this?” Padmé asked
innocently as she nuzzled closer.
“TAXI!” Anakin shouted even more
heatedly.
Seated in the open aired yellow
cruiser, her hair billowing madly in the wind, Padmé
sighed at the happiness of her life. Anakin told her
it would be a few hours ride so she contented herself
to snuggle with her husband and drifted into the land
of dreams…
Nexus Del Oro – the infamous
hotel in the port city of Cindara. Built centuries ago
near the waterfront and remodeled countless times to
repair damage due to age and weather still stood proud
as ever. Turrets that reached dizzying heights
accompanied cupolas on the red-shingled roof. The
sheer magnitude and brilliance of the hotel was
breathtaking. At least Gunner hadn’t deceived them
yet, Anakin silently mused. Covered walkways
provided access to the hundreds of elegant rooms that
resided on four floors – and that was only a partial
view of the front.
After
paying the driver, Anakin hauled their luggage to
where Padmé waited for him [what does she have in this
thing, rocks?] at the hotel’s entrance. Entranced by
the grandeur, Padmé was awestruck as she glanced over
every part of the room. An enormous, twinkling
chandelier greeted guests in the lobby – paneled
wall-to-ceiling in warm, molded Alderaanian mahogany.
The smell of fresh flowers, carried by lazy ocean
breezes, invited frequent rests on the tapestry
furniture.
“I assume
you like what you see?” Anakin chuckled.
Padmé drew
in a deep breath, glorifying in the fresh flowers
scent. “Absolutely, my darling.”
“Then
perhaps we should check-in instead of standing in the
entranceway?”
“What? Oh
my. Of course,” Padmé flushed, so enamored by the
elegance.
The couple
checked in and went directly to their room – on the
topmost floor – a dignitary’s suite with a sweeping
view of the ocean. The oversized room was a creation
in light and space with light color furnishings, fresh
flowers and a sitting room adjacent to the main
bedroom. It was a spectacular area where one could
simply relax and read on the large sofa or chairs,
which were covered in a soft burgundy. Beyond the
simple but stylish sitting room, double doors open
into a bedroom with a king size Nevusian maple-trimmed
bed, a dressing room and refresher. The holo-net was
available as well as a superior stereo system and a
wet bar to ensure every comfort. An additional welcome
to guests was a covered basket cradling fresh fruit,
various cheeses with lavish Nevusian crackers and Ruby
Cabernet wine.
Happily,
Anakin put down their luggage and grabbed his wife
around her lithe waist. “I finally have you alone…” he
said huskily.
Padmé’s
eyes twinkled, “Later, my love. I want to explore this
wonderful place.” She slowly brought her hand to his
chest and caressed him teasingly. “We have plenty of
time…”
Anakin
groaned but conceded.
Padmé
changed into a lighter outfit to accommodate the sun
filled day that awaited them. Anakin stared at his
wife as she emerged from the refresher – her pale
yellow dress that flowed around her body,
tantalizingly hugging her incredible curves, held in
place by thin straps that draped over her silky
shoulders. Anakin’s mouth was watering as he drank in
the sight of her.
“Are you
sure we can’t –”
Padmé cut
him off with a laugh. “No, I want to walk with you
around this wondrous place.”
Slightly
disappointed, Anakin changed into a pair of light
colored pants and a beige shirt before escorting his
wife out of their room.
*************************************************************************
The hotel
was even more spacious than Padmé had thought as they
roamed the hallways and dining areas. One dining hall
in particular made her gasp as they crossed its
threshold – the ‘Prince Guardian’. Plush chairs
surrounded elegantly laid tables, their peach colored
tablecloths giving the room a soft glow. Music that
stunned the senses emanated from the walls and ceiling
which in and of themselves was spectacular. A similar
wood, Padmé noted, as the lobby beheld, but not quite
as dark – it was more of a rich reddish brown. It
lined the long walls and arched up into the ceiling
where it met with chandeliers in the shape of a crown
– an outline of lights on each curve. Three sets of
windows along one enormous wall and another eight set
in a semi-circle at the far end of the room brought
supplementary light to those dining in the gracious
hall.
“How simply
beautiful,” Padmé whispered, her hand lightly resting
on her throat.
Anakin
hugged his wife from behind and bent his head so that
he could nuzzle her ear. “Let’s go outside and check
out that ocean.”
The view
from the back of the hotel was as stunning as the
front, three additional levels of suites could be seen
– one of which belonged to the Skywalkers. The couple
passed through porticoes, gazebos and gardens between
pink azaleas and white birds-of-paradise, surprising
them at every turn, an unabashedly romantic retreat as
their exploration continued.
Dusk was
settling in by the time they made it around the entire
hotel, pausing to look at every tidbit offered.
Famished didn’t adequately clarify their aching
stomachs as they strolled, hand in hand, into the
lobby. Anakin went to ask the clerk a question while
Padmé collapsed onto a couch, sinking deeply into the
comfortable cushions.
“We can
dine in the main hall if you wish, milady,” Anakin
said as he offered her his arm.
“Shouldn’t
we change first?” Padmé asked, although she was too
tired and hungry to care. “What’s that?” She took
notice of the brochure in Anakin’s hand.
“Hotel
history. I thought it might be interesting to read
over dinner.”
Too
famished to change into more formal attire, the couple
dined in the ‘Prince Guardian’. They feasted upon
roasted duck, marinated in a sweet sauce, patata’s
smothered in garlic and butter, various vegetables and
a dark bread that simply melted in your mouth. From
the dessert tray that had been so beautifully
presented on gleaming silver after their dinner, Padmé
chose a vanilla cheesecake swirled with chocolate and
topped with shavings of more rich chocolate.
“Listen to
this,” Anakin’s eyes lit up with wonderment, as he was
finally able to peruse the brochure after a satisfying
dinner. “It states that there’s a tale about a
mischievous ghost named Krysia Oltera, a woman who
visited hundreds of years ago to meet her estranged
husband. She checked into the hotel, but he never
showed up. Four days later, she was found on the
beach, dead from unknown causes. Apparently, her ghost
still frequents the hotel on occasion.”
“Ghost
indeed,” Padmé scoffed.
“What’s
really fascinating is that we’re in her room,” Anakin
stated, arching both eyebrows.
**************************************************************************
Exhaustion
had finally taken its toll, causing Anakin and Padmé
to retire earlier than they would have liked to their
room. The tranquility they radiated reached out and
inadvertently touched someone who had no such feelings
of peace and love. She suffered from bitterness,
anger, and most painful of all – loneliness. The
mysterious spectre emerged, refusing to allow such a
safe haven. Not when she herself could not embrace
such serenity.
Night had
settled in on the couple and they were indulging in
the sound of the surf from the open windows and soft
music radiating from the stereo. Padmé was wearing a
silken ivory sheath, one of Anakin’s favorites, and
barefooted as she delicately walked across her
husband’s gnarled back, a glass of the Ruby Cabernet
wine in her hand. Anakin purred in pleasure as his
back reacted noisily to her ministrations when he
suddenly heard a low moaning sound.
“Did you
hear that?” he asked, surprised by the sound.
Padmé
straddled his back, set her wine aside, and began
rubbing his shoulders. “What?”
“That
noise.” Anakin listened waiting to hear it again.
“Something
in the music?” Padmé asked as she bent down and softly
nuzzled her husband’s ear.
Furrowing
his brow, Anakin put his head down onto the soft
pillow again. His body tingled at his angel’s loving
caresses. “Nothing, I guess.”
A few
minutes passed and once more a low moaning invaded the
Jedi’s ears. His head jumped up and he listened more
closely. “Did you hear it that time?”
No, beloved
–” Padmé began when something ever so lightly touched
her shoulder. She jumped at the unexpected touch as
well as the icy sensation it caused.
“What’s
wrong?” Anakin couldn’t see her face and decided to
twist his body, with her still sitting on him, to face
his wife.
“I-I felt
something…cold.” Padmé hugged herself as if she were
freezing.
“I’ll shut
the windows – it’s really cooling off outside.”
Padmé
shivered. “A-alright.”
Anakin
returned after securing each window tight and found
Padmé still quivering. Her teeth were lightly
chattering and she kept her arms tightly wrapped
around her. Anakin hurried over to her and wrapped his
own arms around his wife but she could not find any
comfort in his warmth. It was then that the overhead
lights flickered twice and then went out – leaving the
couple with no source of light except for the outside
moonlight.
Anakin
quickly retrieved Padmé’s robe and flung it over her
shoulders, trying to warm her when she suddenly spoke
with a voice not her own. “You have invaded my
sanctuary. Leave me to my disgrace. Get out.”
Anakin’s
handsome face looked bewildered and the distraught
tone of the voice caused the Jedi to shudder. “Padmé?”
he said slowly, unsure of what was happening.
“My
disgrace…”
the voice whimpered through Padmé, her head dipping to
her chest.
The Jedi
reached into the Force and used it as a guide to
search the room. He detected no other presence but the
voice Padmé spoke with was hauntingly clear. In that
instance, a breeze surged throughout the room,
intensifying in potency with each breath. The room
became increasingly cold as ice crystals began to form
on a nearby table. The sofa and chairs exhibited
crystalline formations as well on its cushions. The
glass of wine Padmé had been enjoying just a short
time ago – not far from where they were on the floor –
abruptly shattered, spilling wine as red as blood all
over the carpet and shards of glass into Anakin’s left
ankle and leg. He howled at the burst of pain and
looked down to see blood coursing down to his foot and
in between his toes. Anakin bent down to remove the
glass embedded into his skin when he felt movement. He
looked up and found his wife thrashing uncontrollably
in mid-air then thrust unmercifully onto the ceiling.
“I told
you to leave,”
came the words from Padmé’s lips even as she reached
out to him, tears in her eyes.
Forgetting
his wounds, Anakin jumped up and grasped Padmé’s
wrists, wrenching her from the ceiling. Holding onto
her, he limped with her over to the door. He grabbed
for the handle but it was ice cold and his sweaty palm
stuck to it like glue. He couldn’t free it without
ripping the skin away. Next time use the mechanical
one, idiot! he silently chastised himself. The
suite’s temperature continued its steady decline as
Anakin beheld a trail of hot breath leave his mouth.
Again he reached into the Force and concentrated on
warming his hand and the door handle.
Once his
hand was free, he threw open the door and nearly
dragged Padmé out into the hallway with him. No sooner
had they made it past the doorframe than the suite’s
door slammed closed with a thunderous bang.
Anakin led
Padmé, who appeared to be in shock, down the dimly lit
hallway to the elevator lift and pressed the down
button. His leg was aching and bled more profusely
with each step. To the Jedi, the next few minutes were
an eternity as he waited for the lift to chime its
arrival. He glanced down at Padmé – her skin was still
icy to the touch and her eyes remained wide open,
unable to blink. When the metallic door finally opened
Anakin looked up only to be greeted by another
unwelcome guest.
The spectre
was a tall, thin man wearing clothing Anakin had never
seen before and a small round hat atop his head. The
ghostly image regarded the Jedi momentarily and then
flew straight at him, only to dive into his chest.
Anakin
twisted and turned, desperately trying to hold onto
Padmé while fighting whatever it was that had invaded
his body. Inside his mind he Force-pushed the spectre
from him and was relieved to see the ghost exit his
body and disappear into a wall.
However,
his respite was short lived as Padmé’s body began the
same wracking movements her husband had just
encountered. Cradling them both into the Force, Anakin
Force-pushed the entity assaulting his wife and gasped
with relief when the ghostly woman burst forth from
Padmé’s chest, dissipating into the ceiling.
Padmé was
flaccid in his arms and although Anakin didn’t relish
going back into their suite, he didn’t feel he had a
choice. His wounds required tending so, albeit
reluctantly, he limped back and opened the door.
Anakin laid
Padmé on the bed in their frozen palace and covered
her with a heavy decorative comforter. Once he was
satisfied that she was slowly warming to his touch, he
set to the task of cleaning out the glass from his
leg. He hobbled into the refresher and painstakingly
plucked out the shards. More than once he winced and
his heavy breathing was indicative of how embedded the
glass had gone. Relief washed over him, as he pulled
out the last piece. With a sigh, the Jedi slumped at
the edge of the bathtub while the cold water rushed
over his wounds, washing off the blood and any
remaining bits of glass.
Wrapping a
towel securely around his leg, Anakin went to check on
his wife only she was no longer lying down. “Padmé?
Love? Where are you?” He searched the suite, but found
no trace of her. “Where?” His thoughts were encased in
a maze, unable to find the exit. Forcing himself to
calm down he stretched out his senses and felt Padmé
beneath him in the hotel. “But where?” he pondered.
Anakin took
the time to heal his leg and then raced out of the
suite and straight to the elevator lift. He nervously
paced back and forth waiting for the chime to ring and
a few minutes later he was still waiting. He glanced
up in his pacing and saw a door labeled ‘stairs’.
Casting one last quick look at the lift, he shrugged
and yanked the door open, bounding down the stairs.
Intensifying his senses, Anakin felt for Padmé,
knowing she was in the hotel somewhere and finally
found her in the same dining hall they had been in
that evening. She was wandering around in a daze and
whispering incoherently to herself when the Jedi came
upon her.
“Padmé!” He
crushed her into a fierce hug, but her arms remained
resolutely at her sides. “Angel?” He was stupefied by
her frozen reaction.
Pulling
from his grasp, Padmé continued her walk through the
tables and out a side entrance at the far end of the
room. Not knowing what else to do, Anakin followed his
wife outside and onto the beach.
The wind
whipped at her eyes, causing a stinging sensation and
Padmé brought up her arm to act as a shield as she
walked toward the vast ocean. Seagulls flew overhead,
nabbing any fish that came into view, their crowing
sound echoing through the crash of the waves. Anakin
was only a few paces behind as Padmé walked into the
water and kept walking…
Dread
filled Anakin as he ran into the water and grabbed his
wife’s hand. “Stop! Padmé, NO!” he shouted, anguished
as the waves thrashed at his body – inching him away
from his beloved.
“I am
Krysia. This is my punishment…I am unworthy,”
she stated as she continued on, the water was now
almost to her neck.
Her hand
slipped from his grasp. “NO! You are Padmé! My Padmé!
STOP!” Anakin lunged for her just as a wave crashed
over her head and she was gone.
“PADMÉ!”
Anakin screamed as an enormous wave thundered into
him. A scream so profound it felt like he was
exploding from inside his body. Without another
thought he dove under the water and searched for his
beloved angel. The water was forbidding and dark
leaving the Jedi with nothing but blackness. He
surfaced, gulped air into his lungs and dove again;
using the Force as his ally to find his precious
treasure and this time he vowed he wouldn’t surface
again until he found her.
At last
Anakin broke through the water, allowing the rush of
air to fill his lungs. In his arms was the weakened
body of his wife. Tired and cold, he shuffled toward
the beach – in the direction of the onlookers who had
awoken to his screams. Two men raced out to help him,
but Anakin steadfastly refused to allow them to take
Padmé from him. He determined to himself that he would
make her breathe again! To fail…was unthinkable!
Gently,
reverently, Anakin laid Padmé on the sand and knelt
beside her. He tilted her head back, arching her neck
and locked his lips over hers – breathing air into her
lungs. He felt her pulse and frowned at its absence as
a sick feeling in his stomach surfaced. One of the
men that tried to help earlier knelt down opposite him
and began chest compressions while Anakin continued to
breathe life into her.
It seemed
like an eternity before Padmé coughed and water
sputtered from her mouth. Anakin quickly turned her
body to the side so she could rid herself of the salty
water. Groggily, she sat up and embraced her husband,
tears stinging her beautiful brown eyes as she wept in
his arms. Anakin clutched their bodies together,
stroking Padmé’s hair and murmuring words of
endearment to her while tears streamed down his
cheeks.
“Thank
you,” Anakin said hoarsely as he offered his hand to
the man that had helped him.
“Think
nothing of it. I’m just glad we were able to save her.
You were one of the lucky ones.”
“Lucky
ones?” Anakin replied, confused.
“Yes. This
only happens on the anniversary of Krysia Oltera’s
death to those staying in her room. I’m surprised they
even assigned it to you. Usually it’s off limits on
this day – must have been a mix-up at the desk.”
Anakin
scowled. What was supposed to be an entertaining,
adventurous vacation had almost turned into a tragedy.
“I think I’ve had enough excitement for tonight. We’ll
be leaving immediately.” He hugged Padmé tighter and
then picked her up and carried her back to the hotel.
The cold
break of early morning dawn streamed through the
windows, casting an eerie sensation into the room.
Padmé stirred and sat up immediately. Cold sweat
littered her brow and her breathing felt labored. She
glanced at her hands that shook uncontrollably and
then looked around wide-eyed. No stain graced the
carpet from where her wine glass had shattered. The
room itself was tepid, silent…yet foreboding, as fear
crept into her heart.
Sensing her
distress, Anakin awoke and took his wife into his
arms. “Sssshhhh, Angel. Everything is fine. Bad
dream,” he said sleepily as he laid her back down and
cradled her in his embrace.
