Reborn as Anakin

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***

*ten minutes later*

Mum became alarmed and looked round:

- Who's that with you? And who are those people left there? - She looked at me as if she couldn't believe I had appeared in front of her.

- Ah," I smiled, "Mum, there's that little boy who's glaring at you..." I paused for a moment, but Shiai ruined it all with his phrase:

- Dad, will you stop it? - He introduced himself, "My name is Shiai. Nice to meet you... grandma.

Shiai lacked diplomacy. At least calling his grandmother grandmother right away was too much. Mum stared at him in surprise, then looked at me, covered her eyes and... settled down on the couch, falling on her side. I barely had time to pick her up.

- Shiai, you can't just do that! - I laid my mum down on the sofa and decided to give her nerves a rest from the shock," and in fact, have the decency not to interfere when grown-ups are talking.

- What about me? - the son took offence.

- And you, my little offspring, unlike me, did not pass the diplomatic negotiation exam with the highest score. Shiai wanted to take umbrage, but Ahsoka held him by the shoulder:

- I think Master Skywalker is right....

- Ahsoka Skywalker," I closed my eyes, making my mother more comfortable on the couch, "well for the sake of the force, can you call me by my first name?

- I'm sorry, Anakin. - The girl immediately corrected herself.

Just at that moment, two things happened. First, footsteps came from the first floor, and a guard came into the room, asking if we were all right. I nodded to him, and looked at the man who came down.

So, my stepfather, and part-time father of my sister, Ed Riekan. The man himself. A man in his thirties, with a slightly younger face, a surprised look, wearing classic Nabuan clothes, and carrying a small child in his arms. He looked at his wife lying there and immediately turned to me:

- Who are you? What are you doing here?

- Edward Riekan," I hummed, as I didn't associate this man with a relative, so I could switch on my diplomacy skill to full power. According to my reports, he's a soft and pliable person, but he's also principled and stubborn. Behaviour pattern - a bit of chutzpah and self-confidence. Selected.

- Edward Riekan, bastard of the Riekan family, thirty-three years old, senior technician in the Queen's hangar..." I smirked and stepped closer, taking my sister from his arms. Men aren't women, so he handed her back to me, immediately pouncing with questions:

- Who are you? What are you...

- Shiai, meet your aunt, Sappho Riekan.

The named lady looked at me with interest, as much as you can say that about a one year old child. Oh, great, the girl was also a forsuser. Through force I sent her benevolence and pleasantness, thanks to which the discontent as removed. I sat down on the couch-Edward rushed over to his wife, who was lying down, and brought Shmi to her senses. While he tidied her up, I, like Shia and Ahsoka, coddled the baby. Ahsoka looked especially doting.

- Not until ten years from now," I reminded her, "I'm not following you, but no surprises. I told you that strength and intelligence do not equal maturity.

- I remember... Anakin," Ahsoka agreed. Was it just me, or was it regret? Oh, this couple is complicated!

Mum woke up and, at the sight of me and the kids having fun babysitting little Sappho, almost went back to sleep. But she got over it, she's got some nerve after all.

- Shmi, who's that? - Ed asked loudly, and Mum looked at me in thought. What's me?

- It's... remember when I said I had a son?

- I remember. So this is-" Edward looked at me. Now I smiled at him and waved my hand. My stepfather swallowed, getting up from the bed and stepping closer:

- Are you Anakin Skywalker?

- In person," I nodded, grinning, "Mum, don't faint again. I'll never finish telling my life story.

Mum stood up from the sofa and adjusted her skirt, looked at her watch in surprise, then jumped up:

- I have to go to work! - I stopped her:

- Mum! Not now. Erdwa, get Padme on the phone.

The figure of the queen appeared above the droid after a few seconds. A very nice figure.

- Anakin?

- Padmé, sweetheart, I'm going to stay here with Mum for a while. Do you really need her?

- Oh, of course I do," Padme smiled.

- By the way, I have interesting news for you. Someone has decided to come to us after all.

- Who?

- Shiai, I told you about him.

- Oh, I want to meet him already," the queen smiled sweetly and switched off.

The family meeting, you could say, had taken place. Ahsoka and Shiai sat on the couch, holding hands, my mum too, looking at them, while I handed my sister to my mum.

- So, what's the silence? - I interrupted the silence, "Mum, by the way, there's someone I haven't introduced you to yet. This is Ahsoka Skywalker," Ahsoka lowered her gaze.

- Your...

- No, this is Shia's wife," I protested, causing smiles on their faces, "you know, after my failures, I was so... disappointed in my personal life that I channelled all my energy into work and only work. And I succeeded, with the help of loopholes in the laws and a personal acquaintance with the Chancellor, I managed to occupy the previously empty territories of the deep core. The Koros Empire.

- That's a dead zone," Ed objected, "I haven't heard the backstory, by the way.

- Oh, your mum will tell you," I said, barely distracted, "so I've taken over the zone and I'm slowly restoring it. The situation is complicated by the fact that only I can fly there. So I drive all the transports in and out, the system is isolated. That guarantees me time to get back on my feet. It's a lot of work, a lot of work, but I'm getting by. I've had good teachers, both at the academy and at the temple....

- Oh, Ani," Mum came closer, smiling happily, "I knew a man like you would find trouble on your head. I'm proud of you...

I was deeply hurt by her words. In a good way - if Mum was proud, then it wasn't all for nothing. But she ruined the glamour of the moment:

- I'm worried about something though... Ani, How old are Shiai and Ahsoka?

- Technically ten. But with the slowing down of aging during training, they're fourteen real years old. So physically they're ten, but psychologically they're teenagers...

Mum looked at me with disapproval:

- Ani, that's not good, they are too young for such a relationship!

- We've been together for five years," Shiai frowned, "I'm sorry Grandma, but I've known Ahsoka for more than a year. I love her.

- I do too," Ahsoka retorted, "I mean, I'm sure you do.

- Besides, Dad's been getting on my nerves about us being early... well, you know..." Shiai was a little embarrassed. Mum thankfully accepted Shiai's explanation and turned to me:

- 'Ah... As far as I understand, then Shiai's mother is a Togruta?

- ''Yes,'' I sighed, ''Tosi. Toshi Dan. I was her padawan.

- Padawan? - Mum raised one eyebrow, "You're not the same age?

I didn't want to say that Toshi was a little older, but I couldn't lie. I have to tell the truth:

- No, she's a bit older than me. Well... she was thirty-four the last time we saw each other," I sighed heavily, as the reminder of Toshi was unpleasant to me, "I loved her, that's the main thing.

Mum looked at me disapprovingly, but didn't say anything.

We were silent for a while. I told the whole story, not embellishing it, but not going into details. Except I left out one thing: Satine. And Padme and Sabine, too, were left out. Mum's taking a time-out:

- Ani, I need to... think about this for a while. You've said a lot of things. Yes, you don't have a dull life... though I certainly wouldn't wish that on you.

I nodded, looking at Ed. From what I could tell, he had extensive technical data and innate administrative abilities, like all Riekan.

Speaking of which. There was no such thing as 'equality' among human society in the galaxy. Genetic traits and talents were often inherited, the genome was decoded and understood one hundred per cent, so there was no fuss about it. Talents were often inherited, say Riekan had charisma and organisational talent. Even Lin, who distanced himself from politics, was able to create an effective service on the spot. It was the brain's ability to remember, to analyse, to make decisions. Edward was a Riekan like Lin, but unlike him he was a "pure" figure, that is, he had no legal obligations to his family and was in his own way an orphan. So I examined Edward like a commodity. Sure, he lacked experience and knowledge, a little but not enough, but he could do some things.

- OK, Mum, I've got a favour to ask of you.

- Yes, Ani?

- Mum, can you stay with the kids today? You know, just nominally, just to be around, to help them get their bearings, to teach them..." I looked at Shiai and Ahsoka, "because I'm afraid for them, they'll get lost somewhere else...

- Ani, I'm sort of the queen's maid, and...

- Don't worry about Padme," I smiled, "I came to Naboo incognito. I dressed in the uniform of the Guard, called myself Hennia, it was Tosi who made up the name for me, and until this morning I wore this mask... under this mask I met a girl... named Corde, who often walked in the garden early in the morning....

Mum thought for a moment, then stared at me in surprise:

- Ani, save my heart, it's not what I thought, is it?

- That she's pregnant? - I was surprised," No, of course not, I'm not stupid enough not to use the safety locks.

- That's not what I meant... though you've already answered..." my mum started to go into shock again, "to think, Ani and Her Majesty..." she said into the emptiness of the room.

I didn't comment on this statement, but remarked:

- I think she is in love with me.

- Oh," Mum slumped again, but she didn't lose consciousness, and an uncomprehending Ed managed to hug her, stroking her arm. It helped, Mum calmed down. Actually, she was lying, she didn't need to take care of her heart, it was more than strong, and her health was first-rate. I've studied the medical records myself. The fact that my sister was not born in the simplest of births, it's nothing, mum is surprisingly strong, clearly physically stronger than the usual, especially local, women, and definitely happy with life. I'm the one who is so ambitious, and my mum doesn't need much to be happy, a husband, a daughter, a house, a good job. I'm even a little jealous.

I got up, - So, mum, help the kids to dress appropriately for the holiday. Their wardrobe is on the yacht, which is in the hangars at the palace. The guards at the door will escort you out. It's noon now, my men will arrive in an hour, I have to meet them, see some of them, and then I'll be on my way. I'd love to spend more time with you in a warm family atmosphere, but it's a very busy day. Believe me, it's Very Busy..." I mimed mystery. Mum nodded and then I turned to my son: - Shiai, it's not for me to explain to you that you need to obey your grandmother, don't get involved in anything, don't get into anything and preferably, try to be just inconspicuous. There's a lot going on today, so no embarrassments.

- What counts as an embarrassment?

- For example, if you dress too inappropriately. Or if you get into a fight with a local or something. Tomorrow, you can dress however you want and punch whoever you want, but today, be a good boy.

- Understood," Shi'ai stretched out, "any more orders, commander?

- At ease.

- Go now," Mum smiled, "I'll meet you at the palace.

I left the living room. Erdva left with me. But first I had to solve the problem with the guards. The boys were at the entrance, on duty.

- Now, let me start by saying that nothing you have seen or heard here must be made public.

- Yes, Your Majesty! - the Mandalorians are standing at attention.

- And I'll end by saying that my family is in there," I nodded at the closed door, "my family. Guard them, of course, as well as me. I'm off on business, I don't need guards, escort my Mum and Shiai to the yacht, and then... then you can be free. We have a victory celebration in the evening, so you can relax in the palace. There will be quite a few beautiful Nabuan women here to show off for the rugged Mandalorian warriors..." I smiled wickedly, "so at the very least, you will find something to do for the evening, and I welcome it. Any questions?

- Negative," they both replied.

- In that case, good luck with your work.

I left Mum's house. Erdva followed me with his wheels whirring. Since I had no transport, I had to order a taxi through the droid and take it to the house I needed. I could talk to the Admiral on the communicator afterwards.

The Byblos estate inspired respect. The governor, one of Padme's main supporters and the initiator of the monarchist group, was home today. I didn't hesitate to contact Tyber and get the latest intelligence - Sio Bybl had received his tailors in the morning, dressing up, preparing a speech, in short, actively preparing for a speech.

The door was opened for me by servants.

- What can I do for you? - asked a young boy of about fifteen, with slightly flared ears and a remarkably pacifist look.

- I'm looking for Sio Bibble.

- Just a second," he closed the door in front of me, but opened it again a second later and asked: - "How may I introduce you?

- Anakin Skywalker, Emperor of Koros.

The kid hovered for a second, then ran off, forgetting to close the door. I guess he realised I wasn't joking.

Sio Beeble, a man of about a hundred, a hundred and twenty, with a bald spot and a wedge-shaped beard, came down a minute later. He was in house clothes and shouted something at the servant. The boy quickly opened the door and invited me inside.

- What an honour," Sio Beeble smiled, but inwardly he was as tight as a spring, "to what do I owe his imperial majesty? Oh, yes, sorry, my name is Sio Beeble, Governor of Naboo.

He was silent on the title of head of the advisory council.

- Anakin Skywalker, Emperor of the Koros Empire. May we speak privately?

- Yes, of course," Beeble shrank back even more, but he didn't let on as he led me into his office. His mansion was nice, well-maintained, spacious. Beeble seemed to love beauty, for the concentration of paintings in his house could rival the Tidal Picture Gallery.

Beeble offered me a seat at the head of the desk, but I insisted on a visitor's chair. After checking the office for a wiretap, I began the conversation:

- Mr Beeble, don't bother, I've come to safely resolve a matter we have in common.

- We have a common matter? - Beeble was surprised.

- Of course we do. So," I smiled, "you wish to propose to Her Majesty to become the monarch of Naboo. Is that correct? Today, at the reception.

Beeble literally turned grey:

- Where did you get this information?

- Don't worry, there are no traitors among your friends in the monarchist society. However, you may underestimate me, but don't think me an idiot. Your decision affects me directly, so I am aware of it.

- I'm sorry," Beeble faded his gaze. 'A seasoned politician, - but I don't see how it can concern a figure like yours...'

Well, well, well... apparently Beeble knows more about me than the Queen. However, I've ruled out the possibility of a fake acquaintance because I have a pretty good sense of the person I'm talking to. That means something.

- How so? - I was surprised, - you want my future bride to become the monarch of Naboo... do you think I don't care about that?

- Fiancée? - Beeble wondered, very, very sincerely, -but... when? Where?

- When we met? Or where we first slept together? - I went for the rude," I apologised for the rudeness. We met by chance. I have to admit, I liked Padmé. A very, very nice girl. Really, I thought that in six months she will be a free woman and we can be together, and I will find a place for her in the Empire... but, as you understand, here you come on the scene.

- So... - Beeble thought for a moment, - I take it you want her majesty to finish her term without surprises?

- That's for you and me to decide," I sighed unhappily, "in the event that you make a proposal and Padme accepts, it would probably be the largest political alliance Naboo has ever had in the history of your planet. The terms of this likely alliance are unclear, though. I don't want anything from your planet, but if you get involved, be prepared for the planet to cease to be a quiet backwater in the galaxy. As for the second option... you can back out. Padmé will serve her time, and I'll take her back.

- First of all, I'd like to know the terms of the 'alliance'..." Beeble emphasised the word in a tone of voice.

I made myself comfortable in the chair and, after a moment's thought, answered:

- Firstly, I want a military base on the Trielus trade route. A small one, but a real one. Second, Naboo's laws must be at least in some respects compatible with those of the Empire.

- That's internal politics.

- It is," I chuckled, "we're talking about an alliance, not foreign diplomatic relations. I have four main conditions. The first is that the slave trade is strictly forbidden. Slave traders and slave owners in Naboo subject territory are required to surrender their weapons, release the illegally held individual, and write a confession to the sudenbyn organs.

- And what punishment do you want to impose on them? - Beeble wondered.

- Death. Anyone who seizes, sells, buys must be arrested and, upon proof of his or her guilt, physically destroyed. The same applies to those transporting and possessing drugs.

Beeble went grey again:

- How can you do that!!!

- You seem to be an intelligent man...you will understand. A person deserves no better treatment by the law than the treatment they allow others to receive. If these people treat intelligent people like soulless pieces of meat, then they don't deserve better treatment themselves.

- This is wrong! You can't beat crime with their own methods!

- Beeble, wake up! - I grinned, you're in the Galaxy! In a violent, rotten, bloodthirsty and crazy galaxy! Leave this talk of kindness, it has already brought the Republic into the worst crisis in its history. If your opponent plays without rules and you try to follow them, you will lose. Didn't the experience with the TF intervention teach you anything? The enemy must be destroyed, quickly, effectively, mercilessly. You have to accept the rules of the game as the enemy uses them. If they have the right to enslave people from neutral planets, then you have every right to fly to them and shoot to the Sith their lair. There is one rule, either we enforce it together or no one does. Enforcing the law unilaterally is futile. It's a loser. It will only lead to casualties and brazen pirates.

- You may be right," Beeble stepped back, "let's move on to the next point.

- Okay. Polygamy. A man has the right to marry two women, even three or more, but strictly with the permission of the government, which must record whether it is an attempt to exploit a loophole in the law.

- That's... possible," Shio exhaled, "I don't think it'll make much difference, but if we just lift the ban, it'll still be okay, right?

- I think so. Judging by the way the process is going in the Empire, it may well become common practice for Naboo. The third, main, key question. This is the future service. The Service reports to me personally, is unaccountable to any court, no one in the Empire has the right to obstruct them or prevent them from doing their job. No one but me will know the exact composition of the service and its members, but no one, I emphasise, no one, not even the Chancellor can arrange legal problems for them. So it's no use threatening them with trouble in advance. Neither is bribing them.

- The secret service? - Bibla guessed, - to work with officials?

- Exactly. Terrorising traitors and embezzlers. And also criminals and for cases where high officials are involved. Their word is my word, which means that no one can get away with it. The third condition is that the secret service will work wherever my power and the power of my allies extends. Accordingly, to investigate the crimes of Naboo citizens, they will report to the Queen of Naboo personally. To investigate the Mandalorian Dominion or Mandalorians, to the Duchess of Mandalore personally. Their punishment is on the conscience of the one whose servant committed the offence.

Sio thought for a moment, then nodded his head in agreement:

- That's not a bad idea. Sometimes the bureaucracy can get in the way of an investigation, and every official is entrenched in his or her place, covering for each other.

- So we have a deal. One last thing. If there are children in the union between me and the Queen of Naboo, they will inherit the Naboo Dominion, which now includes five planets. Their children are a separate dynasty with no right to the throne of the Empire, and in turn, if the Naboo dynasty is broken, the citizens of Naboo will choose a new one. With all previous clauses and treaties intact.

- Are you sure? I certainly understand... - Beeble shook his head.

- The dozens of the richest worlds in the core... I'm sure if they don't, one of the descendants will go nuts and decide to grab a tidbit like this. And Naboo... no offence, but I doubt whoever owns the empire would go to fratricide to get a planet on the border between the middle and outer ring. After all, there's no such relationship in the galaxy.

- But that doesn't involve influencing Naboo politics?

- No," I smiled, "it does not. I have the hardest job of rebuilding from the ruins and managing dozens of large, wealthy planets... I just don't have time to deal with Naboo. And if I did... sir, I spent nearly nine trillion on my fleet in less than six months. If I wanted to, I could buy or conquer any planet in the middle or outer rings. It's the Empire that holds the political weight here, so you don't have to worry about your independence and security. This can be certified at the office of the galactic senate.

- I believe you," Sio became agitated again, "I'm sorry, you spent... nine trillion on the fleet?

- Yes. I've included all costs, not just the cost of the ships, but it's a lot of money, wouldn't you agree?

- Naboo's budget over... many decades.....

I was silent after such long speeches, and then, coughing, I assured:

- I sincerely wish that Naboo, the planet where my family lives, had a good, strong, capable government. But I frankly don't need your planet or a vote in the Senate or anything else... With Padme, I have the usual relationship that happens between a man and a woman.

- I understand," Shio nodded, "I understand you perfectly. But with people like you and her majesty, a simple relationship is no longer possible, right?

- Yes," I shrugged, "but no one will forbid me to combine the pleasant thing of a relationship with Padmé with the useful thing of a political alliance.

- I understand your position," Shio stood up, "Your Majesty, I have not changed my mind. As a reward, I will present her majesty with a request, certified by most of the aristocracy, to change the political order and recognise her as the founder of the Naberri dynasty. Will you support me?

He frankly wanted an alliance. Of course, for a mid-ring planet to form an alliance with the Empire is the height of dreams. Money, protection, a spare trump card in the political deck.

- You know, I don't care. I have the best interests of the woman I care about in mind, not the planet she lives on. If Padmé agrees, I'll support you under all the conditions I've outlined. If not, I'm not sure. Since the Nabuan crisis and the war, she's become more... aggressive. And ambitious. My only hope is that her choice will be the right one.

Sio remarked in surprise:

- I too hope that whatever choice her majesty makes, it will be the right choice. Perhaps... perhaps I'm wrong and the current elected monarchy will be better... it's just that this political system is very fragile, lacking centralisation, lacking a core.

- In that case, I would be glad if we could meet at the reception," I nodded, "I have yet to check on my fleet, and my son. I'll see you tonight.

Sio stood up and bowed and I walked out, nodding back at him.