Bureaucracy

I didn't want to drag it out. It was hard to say goodbye to that time-although it was a beautiful time in my life in its own way. I would remember my year at Shealy as a memory from my teenage years, when global problems didn't weigh on the individual and I could devote myself to self-improvement. I underestimated my attachment to Toshi. I had very much underestimated my attachment-the whole time I was doing mechanical work, there was a thought beating on the edge of my mind-stopping the start of the machine and staying. To go back, to hug me, to tell me I wasn't going anywhere. But...

The thought was set aside. I understand that this is a weakness, so I prepare the ship for the decisive hyperjump, while I myself very much do not want it.

I could only curse my fate - I was not just unlucky with women... oh, no, if only it was because I could not or did not have some skills... These are solvable problems, it was because fate separated me from my loved ones as soon as I began to get into the taste, as soon as affection turned into love... After what happened I was very wary, to put it mildly, of getting involved with anyone again. If it happened again, I couldn't bear it.

He was in the middle of the jump, and I was in the middle of the jump, and I was in the middle of the jump and I was in the middle of the jump. The stars blurred in front of the ship, forming lines, and the ship was enveloped in a haze of hyperspace. I compressed the journey of several millennia into a few minutes. Just thirty minutes and three millennia were gone. After the jump was made, the numbness of a hard decision finally lifted from me - there was no way back purely physically. And even if I tried to go back, I wouldn't be there anymore. I relaxed in my chair, closed my eyes, and began to think about what to do next. The shift in the time loop would be a few days apart. The sad thing was that if I got in time early, I wouldn't be able to save Ali. Time doesn't like paradoxes. She is already gone in force, and there is no time for force - for her past and future are one and the same. What has not yet happened and what has already happened are one and the same, it is an event. Even if I can stop the Mandalorians from attacking our ship, it's already a fait accompli. What the paradox in power will lead to, only Shaitan knows. At best, it could cause Ali's death simply because the force has already taken her over, and now the alien change in the material world doesn't solve anything. At worst, a space-time storm of power would erupt, destroying all of Mandalore and blending the present and future, consuming everything and leaving behind a black hole or anomaly... Tricks with such matter as the power itself are not allowed even for the mightiest of architects - attempts to take more than the power has, or to grant immortality to mortals have already led to disaster. And it would be again if I did not limit myself.

The only thing that comforted me was Shia. Shia Skywalker... Well, at least it's not "Luke" or something like that... I'll have to straighten him out at the first opportunity.

As the ship flew, I thought about the future. Having a son doesn't interfere with my plans in any way. First of all, to finish university and pass all my exams. Then go to Correlia, take the ship, which they modify there, and then talk to my old partner in crime - Julian. As the Architect, I had some plans. It's true what they say: there's a lot of money underfoot. But to get it, you have to get off your ass and run around collecting it. I had business plans for the future.

Coming out of hyperspace took me by surprise - I was too absorbed in my own thoughts. Since we launched from Coruscant, the ship was on its way to Alderaan. It was there that the first item was to be worked on.

By the way, it was a good idea to find out how half-blooded Togrites were treated in this time and to dress Shia up, for his clothes were of course good quality but not very practical. I didn't have any of Toshi's clothes with me. Speaking of aesthetics, the boy was frankly a handsome child. Dark mulatto skin, white streaks of pigmentation on his cheeks and above his eyebrows, expressive blue eyes... I bet in ten or twenty years he'd be a heartbreaker, if the Force took pity and he didn't have the same problems I did.

The blackness of space appeared before my eyes, with endless stars-we were in the Alderaan system.

- Erdva? - I turned to my friend. - Time, date?

- Exit was within normal limits. It's been two weeks since we went missing.

- In that case, let's fly to Alderaan. I hope they'll take my exams for a fee.

- They'll dance you to the pulpit for money, too," the droid exaggerated, "remember how few questions they asked you after you demonstrated money.

- Yes, it's a great power that can do a lot," I nodded, smiling, "I'll take the exams for starters. It's necessary. After that...

- What?" the droid didn't understand my silence.

- After that, I'll take the cruiser, pardon me, the boat on Correlia, and go exploring the cosmos. It's the only way to get enough money and influence for a maverick like me.

- I thought you were going back to the Order.

- No, no," I brushed him off, "I'll try to have as little contact with the Jedi as possible. My ideas of power and theirs are very different.

- But since you are an architect, yours takes precedence.

- If it were that easy," I sighed, "you would have to show them what I can do and how I am different, not just by word of mouth. Only then, when they have the questions I need, can I begin my expansion into the minds of the Jedi.

- Accepted," the droid agreed, "in which case I'll prepare the ship for landing.

Erdva took over piloting. I didn't get in his way. The only thing I had to do was to report to the planet about my arrival, and that was all.

I came to my senses when the ship had already descended over Aldera. That city gave me mixed feelings. I'm still not as hardheaded as I'd like to think of myself-a sadness for Alessia, nostalgia for the last serene days when I could talk quietly with others, when I could get drunk, when I could do my business in my dorm room...

The ship landed at the nearest landing pad to the university. I grabbed my ID and checked on the baby. Shia was asleep upside down, though it seemed like an eternity had passed... no, only an hour and a half had passed since Tosya had said goodbye...

I went out, leaving the droid to keep an eye on the child - to explain that I wasn't to be looked for, and that he should stay on the ship for the time being. And certainly not to let him into the armory, or the wardroom.

The ramp descended to the landing pad and I immediately headed in the direction of the university. The university was just as I remembered it - a rather pompous building, obviously old. There were no crowds of students - it was the vacations.

I grabbed my money and headed toward the admissions office. My pass, oddly enough, was cancelled.

- Excuse me," I smiled at the girl at the entrance, "I need to get to the dean's office.

- Just a moment. Your papers?

I handed her papers, after which she briefly hovered.

- Did something happen?

- Yes, I'm sorry, but according to the paperwork, you're... dead.

- Hmm... I got in trouble, of course, but I'm not dead yet. Okay, I just need to see the Dean, I'm not asking you for anything, am I? - I raised an eyebrow.

- Yes, I'm sorry," the girl returned the document and opened the door. Here we go.

Indeed, it has begun. The vacation was supposed to end tomorrow, so everyone was present. I was the lucky one.

Deciding not to stay too long, I immediately went to the dean of my department. He showed up in his seat.

- Excuse me..." I entered the office, "may I see you?

- Yes, yes," he nodded, turning his eyes to me, "what can I do for you?

- Oh, it's nothing. I have to take my examinations. Early and as soon as possible.

The dean gave me a hard look:

- I don't remember you, young man. Are you sure you're from my department?

- Yes," I nodded, transmitting in force the confidence in my person, "of course, a lot has happened for me in the time since, but I am still me. Anakin Skywalker.

- Anakin..." he said thoughtfully, "Anakin... yes, I remember! But..." The dean looked at my face, which, to put it mildly, was no longer teenage, "Anakin's dead!

- That's not true," I shook my head in a negative way, using the power to project it into my voice at the same time, "I'm alive. I'm alive, though... in a very strange situation.

- Explain yourself," the Dean demanded, despite all my tricks.

I had to tell not the whole story, but part of it, especially since it wasn't a secret-it wouldn't be possible to explain absence and sudden maturation just by magic.

- You see, when we were on Mandalore, my ship was shot at by local...

- Terrorists," the Dean nodded, "then what?

- They damaged the relativistic time flow, and I made a hyper-jump out of the atmosphere... well, I was thrown very far away and for a very long time. For many years.

- It's an interesting story," the dean didn't believe my words.

- If you don't believe me, you can confirm my identity with a DNA test, or any other way.

- Okay," the dean nodded. - And what about your companion? Alessia? Is she with you?

- No. Alessia didn't survive," I shook my head in disapproval of such questions. - Unfortunately, she was killed in the attack on the ship.

- So..." the Dean frowned, tapping his fingers on his desk, "well, that's... quite likely.

He turned to his terminal and, after a minute, handed me a clipboard of forms:

- Here are the applications for reinstatement and for early withdrawal. To be honest, it's all interesting, but we're a commercial organization. Anakin Skywalker or not, you can come and take the exam, we'll write a diploma in Skywalker's name. Are you familiar with the fee for taking the exam early?

- No, how much do I owe you?

- Five hundred thousand," the dean said.

To put it mildly, I understand why they have such rules - if the Alderaan budget gets that much money, there's no point in being overzealous - as long as they get paid.

With a nod, I filled out the forms and returned them to the dean of my department. The man looked over the documents meticulously, and then turned to me:

- Before scheduling an exam, you must restore your status, because legally you are dead, and we cannot restore you unless you are among the living. To do this, you will have to go to the administration, fill out a couple of forms, and go through the identity verification process. It shouldn't take long-I'll schedule the exams for tomorrow, and today you'll be kind enough to restore your status..." The dean turned back to the terminal and was no longer paying attention to me. I stood up, bowed briefly to the man, and left the office.

The bureaucracy in the republic is a real one. However, the basic procedures, with money or compulsion by force, are easy to pass. In the documents recorded all my biometrics - fingers, eyes, DNA, so you do not have a long time to prove that I am me.

I got out of uni and immediately headed toward the parking lot. Inside I was met by Erdva and Shia. I thought they were worth each other, the two knuckleheads... Though I guess you can't get used to Shia's presence right away.

- Paap! - the boy greeted me. - Where are we?

- Alderaan," I grinned, ruffling his hair. Erdva, find the address of the local administration on the holonet, I need to restore my status as a living person.

- Already done," the droid replied, "shall we fly there?

- If there's a parking lot for ships there.

- The administration is located near the spaceport. Sure, there's a place to park there.

Erdva went to the cabin, to steer the ship, and I followed Shia. He was cranky, of course, but I had to wash and dress him and comb his hair. The boy had to look normal.

- Dad, where are we going?

- To get our papers. We're gonna need you there too, so get ready.

- What do you want from me? - He didn't understand.

- Nothing, you just stay with me, and I'll do everything. Just don't run away, that's all.

- Alright," Shia nodded.

In the meantime the ship had covered a short distance and was about to land. Shia and I went down into the hold. I thought for a while, so I went to the armory and looked at what was available. There were lightsabers available-two dozen old Sith ones, with synthetic crystals. I took one sword in hand and turned to my son:

- Did your mother teach you how to use it?

- The sword? Yes, my mother made me fight off the droid's shots and teach me the first attack. But I'm no good at fighting, and I'm good at repelling shots...

- You're just underweight. You'd have to be big to swing a sword... or a small sword. The most famous swordsman in the galaxy, Master Yoda, is even smaller than you.

- Really? - Shii's eyes widened.

- He is. He's not human, of course, but he uses a short sword.

Ignoring any further questions, I pulled out a pair of Sith swords and used the power forge. I removed the crystal from the sword, taking a training sword from my own. The other components of the sword were brought up to fighting condition, but one more should have been added. On the hilt I soldered a blade length adjuster with three positions - full, half, and quarter. The length of the arc depends on the amount of energy applied to the emitter, so I didn't even think about the mechanism - it was a matter of course during my work with the old man, and the regulator was a simple knob for limiting power. It was more difficult to create a mechanism for smooth adjustment - on the tip of the sword I put a ring on a simple hinge, which changed the length of the blade by its rotation. Turning the ring changed the length, and pressing a button on the tip could quickly change modes. Then, after thinking about it, I gave up the button and left only the smooth adjustment, making the ring tighter at the same time. Turning the sword on, I adjusted its length to thirty centimeters and turned to my son:

- Here you go. It's a training sword, but if you're attacked, you can fend off shots. The ring allows you to lengthen the sword, but the longer it is, the clumsier it is, and if you want to swing it fast, leave the short blade.

It didn't take long for the reaction - the boy got excited immediately turning on his sword and waving it in all directions.

- Cool! It's so light! - Shia was happy and immediately ran up and put his arm around my waist, "Thanks, Dad!

- You're welcome," I refrained from ruffling his hair, but put my hand on the boy's shoulder, "but remember to use it only when there's no other way.

- I remember," he nodded, and immediately broke away from me, "my mother told me.

Erdva came into the hold:

- We've arrived. I've already checked you in for your appointment, so get moving if you don't want to be late. And bring the money, from what I hear, they take bribes there on an official basis. It's called "express registration."

- And if not express? - I do not understand.

- Then a week of work.

- Oh, those... sneaks," I shook my head. That must have been exactly what the dean was counting on. But that's okay, I have money for now, and bureaucracy... well, the inevitable inconvenience is the first and main sign of the System and the absence of chaos in the galaxy. If they were taking bribes, I'd probably give them a hard version of compulsion, and they'd be sickened by the thought of bribery for years to come.

The administration was located near the central spaceport. This is understandable - the main stream of people can be served in the city bodies and with remote access, but those who come and go with some cargo inevitably have to visit the administration, and accordingly, the biggest flow was in the spaceport.

The building was two stories high, a rarity in the galaxy, but not in Alderaan. Shia walked beside me, holding my hand. Once inside, we immediately found ourselves in the kind of bedlam I'd forgotten - the vagrants of space - all different races, with faces expressing busyness, crowded around the desks, registering cargo and flights, registering property, buying ships, and other little things, from tech inspections to getting licenses to transport certain kinds of cargo. The galaxy had some pretty strict laws about cargo shipping - the ship had to match the cargo. Not the carriers, but their employers were strict about making sure the pilot had a license, so nothing would happen to the cargo in transit. Shi'ai pressed closer, and I, feeling a little saucy, walked, pushing the crowd aside, toward the entrance to the administration wing. The entrance was blocked by a counter, behind which stood a man.

- Stop," he said, "where are we going?

- We have an appointment. Anakin Skywalker," I introduced myself, "the droid's already made an appointment.

- What kind of appointment? - The guard lost interest in me.

- Registration of documents, restoration of status, registration of new documents.

- Quickly, or....

- I took one of the credit cards with a hundred credits on it out of my pocket," I grinned, "I really need it..." I stepped closer and slipped the credit card to the guard unnoticed. He immediately stepped aside:

- "Sure, go ahead. Go to the second floor, to the twenty-fourth room.

- Thank you," I nodded, and went where I was supposed to go.

There were six people sitting in the office at once. The secretaries were ordinary. Knocking after I entered, I addressed the closest one:

- Hello. I urgently need to restore my documents.

- Just a minute," the clerk answered in a high voice, "what's your status?

- Legally, I'm dead...

- One minute," she repeated again, "fill out the forms," the woman handed me a clipboard, "the forms, then pay the fee to the administration.

- Okay," I didn't argue, "there's one more thing... while I was 'dead', I had a son here. I want to register him, too.

The receptionist stepped away from the terminal and looked at Shiay behind my foot. I nudged the boy toward the bureaucrats. Judging by the emotion, the receptionist softened a little, asking:

- Didn't they register before?

- No.

- Then..." she handed me some more forms on my clipboard, "fill them out, go through the biometric procedure, and get your documents.

- Thank you," I smiled and left the office. Shiay immediately followed me, stepping away from the door. Erdva was waiting for us in the hallway.

I leaned against the wall and quickly scribbled Shia's details on a form. Since he was a Forsuzer and was growing up a little earlier, so he was growing up faster biologically, I put his age at seven. The year of birth, thank God, was not asked - it was tied to the date of registration and age. The boy watched me work for about a minute, and then he walked over to Erdva and they started whispering about something.

I quickly scribbled down all the forms - despite my lack of experience, there was no difficulty, as it was really easy. Then I transferred twenty thousand to the administration's treasury, according to the details on the form. After that, a clause appeared on it stating that the fee had been paid.

- Shia? - I looked around. But I couldn't find the kid.

- Shit," I walked down the hallway, scanning the building with force. Shia was downstairs, in some corner.

I had to drag the two of them out of there and lead the way.

- Erdva, what were you looking at? What if something had happened to you?

- But we're on Alderaan! - The droid protested, "And we're both armed. What could happen?

- Anything! - I shuddered indignantly, forbidding you to venture further without good cause. Understand, Erdva? - I said to the droid, "Humans aren't droids, much less children. We're not born intelligent, so Shia can unknowingly get his ass handed to him.

- As if you didn't," the droid muttered, "remember when Julian rescued you from Neimodia?

- And that was bad," I disagreed, "that was a mistake on my part.

- I see," the droid agreed.

- And anyway, you shouldn't stray too far from me unless I ask you to. There's a lot of rabble gathering around here. You must realize they can hurt a child in a heartbeat.

The droid was remorseful. Shi'ai didn't need a slap, but he seemed to realize his mistake, too.

We went to the office, where I handed in my documents. The receptionist worked on the terminal for a few minutes, and then called Shia in. They took his blood and fingerprints, scanned his retinas, and then let him go.

A blood test is mandatory - when searching for new Jedi. The receptionist got the results of the analyzer after a couple of minutes and turned to me:

- Mr. Skywalker, your son has abnormally high levels of midichlorians," she looked guilty, "you know.

- I know," I nodded, "this is how you detect potential Jedi.

- Exactly," the woman sighed in relief, "We are obliged to inform the Jedi Order. I'm sorry...

- Oh, no need to be sorry," I grinned, "Look more closely in your database-I am a Jedi master. And Shia's mother is a Jedi Master. It would be very strange if the boy didn't have the power.

- You are a Jedi? - the woman wondered.

- Exactly," I smiled, "in the eyes of the Order, my son is my apprentice, so he is already a de jure Jedi. Still, I would ask you not to inform the Order. You see... I don't think my colleagues would feel right about one of the masters of the Order having a son. Although it is not forbidden, it is considered bad form...

The woman obviously didn't know such subtleties, but she nodded nonetheless.

- "Very well. Are you sure you're a Jedi? - she asked, squinting her eyes.

I lifted the clipboard over her desk with my powers without comment, and produced the hilt of my lightsaber.

- It was.

She had no further questions and, impressed by what she saw, returned to her terminal:

- Well, that's your order's business, we had nothing to do with it.

After ten minutes of waiting, the droid brought blank documents - a plastic card and a small electronic device. The girl wrote all the data in them and handed them to me with the words:

- Please. Check, is everything accurate?

I ran my eyes over it. Obviously there was no difference from what was written on the form. After all that, my status was restored, and I said goodbye to the secretaries and left the abode of bureaucracy. Shia happily left the place. On the way back, he and Erdva raced, Erdva flying the repulsors and Shia trying to catch up.

Now I'm officially alive again, and Shia is now Shia Skywalker. Everything was just fine.

How good it is, after all, that the Republic hasn't changed over the millennia. It almost didn't- Shia didn't even have to adjust to the new times, just like I didn't have to. And living on an agricultural planet he hadn't seen much of life outside of it, much less hiding from society, so now he didn't have to explain basic things to him. That was the bright side.

Still, it was nice to feel like a relatively free man. Now, however, fatherly duties were added, but this did not weigh on me - on the contrary, I gradually began to think less about it. When I returned to the ship, Shiay immediately flew away somewhere, as I understood, on his children's business, and I went towards the cabin. Erdva was beside me, and I turned to my iron friend:

- Erdva, briefly, find out about the half-breed Togrut, how they are treated, and also find out from the dean when the extraordinary exam is scheduled for tomorrow.

After a minute, Erdva looked everything up on the holonet and informed me:

- Togrut are treated relatively normally. It's not that it's encouraged, but it's not forbidden. Also, half-breeds are considered pretty sexy, there's some content...

- No, that's the last thing I need," I rolled my eyes, "what about the exam?

- It starts at nine in the morning, room nine hundred and one. The time limit is four hours.

- Thank you.

The questions for today were solved. As I expected, over time the laws become more loyal to half-breeds - it's a natural process. And they weren't lying about sexuality - if you take a human, make the eyes a little more expressive, add a darker skin tone and pigmentation, you'll get a rare good-looking one. In fact, that's what attracted me to the Togrutts, as represented by Tosya.

I decided to call it a day and just go for a walk.