Bureaucracy

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***

I didn't wait. It was hard to say goodbye to this time - yet it had been beautiful in its own way. The year at Shili will be remembered as a memory from my teenage years, when global problems do not dominate the personality and one can devote oneself to self-improvement. I underestimated my affection for Toshi. I really underestimated my affection - the whole time I was doing the mechanical work, there was a thought on the edge of my mind - to stop the machine from starting and stay. To come back, to hug, to tell her I wasn't going anywhere. But...

The thought was put aside. I realise it's weakness, so I'm preparing the ship for the decisive hyperjump, while I really don't want it myself.

I could only curse my fate - it wasn't just that I was unlucky with women... oh, no, if only it was that I couldn't or didn't have any skills... Those were solvable problems, it was that fate had separated me from the ones I loved as soon as I started to get the taste, as soon as affection turned into love... After what had happened, I was, to put it mildly, very wary of getting involved with anyone again. If it happened again, I couldn't bear it.

The jump, strangely enough, turned out to be quite ordinary - I did all the manipulations and briefly wished myself good luck and activated the hyperdrive. The stars blurred in front of the ship, forming lines, and the ship was enveloped in a haze of hyperspace. A journey of several millennia I had compressed into a few minutes. Just thirty minutes and three millennia were gone. Once the jump was made, the numbness of the hard decision was finally lifted from me - there was no turning back, physically. And even if I tried to go back - I shouldn't be there anymore. Relaxing in the chair, I closed my eyes and began to think about what to do next. The time contour shift would be a few days apart. Sadly, if I got there early, I wouldn't be able to save Ali. Time doesn't like paradoxes. She's already gone into the force, and for the force there is no time - for her the past and the future are one and the same. What has not yet happened and what has already happened are one and the same thing, it's an event. I can't get it back, even if I can stop the Mandalorians from attacking our ship, it's a fait accompli. What the paradox in power will lead to, the shaitan knows. At best, it could cause Ali's death, simply because the force has already taken her, and now a foreign change in the material world solves nothing. At worst, it would cause a time-space storm of power that would destroy Mandalore and mix the present and the future, swallowing everything and leaving behind a black hole or an anomaly... Even the most powerful of architects can't mess with such matter as the power itself - attempts to take more from the power than it has, or to grant immortality to mortals, have already led to disaster. And they would again, if they didn't limit themselves.

The only thing that comforted me was Shi'ai. Shiai Skywalker... Well, at least it wasn't "Luke" or something like that... I'd have to get his papers straightened out at the first opportunity.

As the ship flew, I thought about the future. Having a son doesn't interfere with my plans. First thing I want to do is finish university and pass all my exams. Then to go to Correlia, to take the ship, which is being modified there, and then to talk to my old friend Julian. As the Architect, I had some plans. It's true what they say, there's plenty of money to go around. But to get it, you have to get your arse out of the chair and run around collecting it. I had business plans for the future.

Coming out of hyperspace took me by surprise - I was too immersed in my thoughts. Since we had launched from Coruscant, the ship was headed for Alderaan. That's where the first item of work was to be done.

By the way, it wouldn't hurt to find out how half-blood Togrutians are treated in this time and to dress Shiai up, because his clothes were good, but not very practical. Toshi didn't give me any clothes to take 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 he'd be a heartbreaker in ten or twenty years, if the power had mercy and he didn't have the same problems I had.

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 within normal limits. It's been a fortnight since we went missing.

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

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

- Yes, it's a great power that can do a lot," I nodded, smiling, "I'll take the exams first. That is a necessity. After that...

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

- After that, I'll take the cruiser, pardon me, the yacht on Correllia and go exploring space. It's the only way to get enough money and influence for a homeless drifter like me.

- I thought you were going back to the Order.

- No," I said, "I'll try to have as little contact with the Jedi as possible. My ideas of the Force and theirs are very different.

- But since you're an architect, yours take precedence.

- If only it were that simple," I sighed, "I have to show them what I can do and how I'm different. Only then, when they have the questions I need, can I begin my expansion into the minds of the Jedi.

- 'Acknowledged,' the droid agreed, 'in that case, I will prepare the ship for landing.

Erdva took over piloting. I didn't interfere with him. The only thing I had to do was to report to the planet about the arrival and that was all.

I came to my senses as the ship descended over Aldera. I had mixed feelings about that city. I'm not as hard-headed as I'd like to think I am - sadness for Alessia, nostalgia for the last serene days when I could socialise with others in peace, when I could get drunk, when I could do my business in my dorm room....

The ship landed at the landing pad closest to the university. Grabbing my ID, I checked on the kid. Shiai was sleeping soundly, though it seemed like an eternity had passed... no, it had only been an hour and a half since I had said goodbye to Toshi....

I went out, leaving the droid to keep an eye on the child - to explain that I wasn't to be found, and that he would stay on the ship for the time being. And especially not to let him into the armoury, or the deckhouse.

On the ramp down to the landing pad, I immediately headed in the direction of the university. The university was just as I remembered it - a rather flashy building, obviously old. There were no crowds of students - it was the holidays.

Grabbing my money, I headed towards the admissions office. My pass, strangely enough, had been 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 the paperwork and then she hovered for a moment.

- Is something wrong?

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

- Hmm... I'm certainly in a mess, but I'm not dead yet. Well, I'm just going to see the dean, I don't demand anything from you, do I? - I raised an eyebrow.

- Yeah, sorry," the girl returned the document and opened the passage. Here we go.

Indeed, it had begun. The holidays were supposed to end tomorrow, so everyone was in attendance. I was the lucky one.

Deciding not to be delayed, I immediately went to the dean of my faculty. He was in his seat.

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

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

- Oh, it's nothing. I need to pass my exams. Early, and preferably as soon as possible.

The dean looked me over meticulously:

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

- I'm sure I am," I nodded, the confidence in my person translating into strength, "Of course, a lot has happened to me in the past, but I'm still me. Anakin Skywalker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

- They damaged the relativistic time loop, and I was hyperjumping out of the atmosphere... well, I was thrown very far away and for a very long time. Many years.

- That'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 you want.

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

- No. Alessia did not survive," I shook my head in disapproval of such questions. - 'Unfortunately, she died in the attack on the ship.

- That's how..." the Dean frowned, tapping his fingers on the table, "Well, that's... quite likely.

He turned back to his terminal and handed me a clipboard a minute later:

- 'Here are the applications for reinstatement and for early surrender. To be honest, it's all very interesting, but we're a commercial organisation. Anakin Skywalker or not, you can come and take the exam, we will issue a diploma in Skywalker's name. Are you aware of the early passing fee?

- No, how much do I owe you?

- Five hundred thousand," the dean said.

To put it mildly, I understood why they had such rules-if the Alderaan budget got that much money, there was no point in being heresy-as long as they paid.

Nodding, I filled out the forms and returned them to the dean of my faculty. The man examined the documents meticulously and then turned to me:

- Before scheduling the exam, you must restore your status, as you are legally dead and we cannot restore you while you are not among the living. To do that, you'll have to go to the administration office, 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'd better restore your status..." The dean turned back to the terminal and ignored me. I stood up, bowed briefly to the man and left the office.

The bureaucracy in the Republic is so bad. However, the basic procedures, if you have money or compulsion by force, it is easy to pass. All my biometrics - fingers, eyes, DNA - are written down in the documents, so it won't take long to prove that I am me.

I left the university and immediately headed towards the car park. Inside I was met by Erdwa and Shiai. To me, they were worth it, the two goofballs... Though I guess I wouldn't get used to Shiai's presence right away.

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

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

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

- If there is a car park for ships there.

- The administration is located next to the spaceport. Of course, there is a place to park there.

Erdva went to the control room, to manage the ship, and I went after Shiai. He was cranky, of course, but I had to wash him, dress him and comb his hair. The boy has 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 doesn't understand.

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

- Okay," Shiai nodded.

The ship had travelled a short distance and was now coming in for a landing. Shiai and I went down into the hold. After thinking for a while, I went to the weapons safe 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 mum teach you how to use this?

- Sword? Yes, mum made me fend off droid shots and learn first ataru. But I'm not good at fighting, and I'm good at fending off shots....

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

- Really? - Shi'ai opened his eyes.

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

Ignoring further questions, I took out a pair of Sith swords and used force forging. I removed the crystal from the sword, taking the training sword from my sword. The rest of the sword's components were in a combat ready state, but one more had to be 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 supplied to the emitter, so I didn't even think about the mechanism - it had become something of a matter of course during my work with the old man, and the regulator was just a simple power limiter. It was more difficult to create a mechanism of smooth adjustment - on the tip of the sword I put a ring on a simple hinge, which by its rotation changed the length of the blade. Rotating the ring changed the length, and pressing a button on the end could quickly change the modes. Then, after some thought, I abandoned the button and left only the smooth adjustment, making the ring tighter at the same time. Switching on the sword, I adjusted its length to thirty centimetres and turned to my son:

- Take it. 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 to get a reaction - the boy got excited immediately switching on the sword and waving it in all directions.

- Cool! It's so light! - Shiai rejoiced and immediately ran up and hugged me around the waist: "Thanks, Dad!

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

- I remember," he nodded, immediately pulling away from me, "Mum told me.

Erdva came into the hold:

- 'We've arrived. I've already registered you in the waiting list, so get a move on if you don't want to be late. And bring money, rumour has it they take bribes on an official basis. It's called "express processing."

- What if it's not express? - I don't get it.

- It's a week's work.

- They're sly," I shook my head. After all, the dean was probably counting on it. But that's all right, I've got money for now, and bureaucracy... well, it's an unavoidable inconvenience, the first and foremost sign of the System's existence and the absence of chaos in the galaxy. If they took bribes, I'd probably run a hard version of indoctrination, and for years to come they'd be sickened at the thought of bribery.

The administration was located near the central spaceport. It is understandable - the main flow of residents can be served in the city bodies and with the help of remote access, but those arriving and departing when carrying some cargo inevitably have to visit the administration, and accordingly, the largest flow was in the spaceport.

The building was two storeys high, a rarity in the galaxy but not in Alderaan. Shiai walked beside me, holding onto my arm. Once inside, we were immediately in the kind of bedlam I'd forgotten about - space vagrants of all races, all with busy faces, crowded around counters, registering shipments and flights, registering property, buying ships, and other little things, from maintenance inspections to obtaining licences to transport certain kinds of cargo. The galaxy had some pretty harsh laws regarding cargo transport - the ship had to match the cargo. Not the carriers, but their employers were strict about making sure the pilot had a licence so that nothing could happen to the cargo en route. Shiai huddled closer, and I, feeling a certain amount of impudence, walked, pushing through the crowd, toward the entrance to the administrative wing. The entrance was blocked by a counter, behind which stood a man.

- Stop! - he stopped us, - where to?

- We have an appointment. Anakin Skywalker," I introduced myself, "the droid has already scheduled a meeting.

- What's the matter? - The guard lost interest in me.

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

- Quickly, or....

- Quickly, - I grinned, - I'll spare no money, - I took out one of my credit cards with a hundred credits on it, - I need it very much... - I came closer and slipped the credit card to the guard. He immediately stepped aside:

- "Sure, come on in. You are on the first floor, in the twenty-fourth office.

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

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

- "Hello. I urgently need to restore the documents.

- One moment, - answered the clerk in a high voice, - what is your status?

- 'Legally, I'm dead...'

- One minute, - she repeated again, - fill in the forms, - the woman handed me a clipboard, - 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 pulled away from the terminal and looked at Shiai, who was hiding behind my leg. I nudged the boy towards the bureaucrats. Judging by the emotion, the receptionist softened a little, asking:

- You didn't register before?

- No.

- Then... - she handed some more forms to my tablet, - fill them out, go through the biometrics procedure and get your documents.

- Thank you," I smiled and walked out of the office. Shiai immediately followed me, moving away from the door. Erdwa was waiting for us in the corridor.

I leaned against the wall and quickly scribbled Shiai's details on the form. Since he was a Forsuser and grew up a little earlier, that is, biologically he grew faster, I entered the age of seven. The year of birth, thank goodness, was not asked - it was tied to the date of registration and age. The boy watched me work for a minute or so, then he went over to Erdva and they began to banter about something.

I quickly sketched all the forms - despite my lack of experience, there was no difficulty, because it was really simple. After that, I transferred twenty thousand to the administration treasury, according to the details on the form. After that, a clause appeared on it stating that the fee had been paid.

- Shiai? - I looked round. But I couldn't find the kid.

- Shit," I walked further down the corridor, scanning the building by force. Shiai was found one floor below, in some corner.

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

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

- But we're on Alderaan! - objected the droid, "and we're both armed. What could happen?

- Anything! - I forbid you to leave without a good reason. Understand, Erdva? - I turned to the droid, "Humans are not droids, and children even less so. We're not born intelligent, so Shi'ai can find adventures on his own arse without realising it.

- Like you haven't," the droid said, "remember when Julian saved you on Neimodia?

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

- I see," the droid agreed.

- In fact, don't go too far away from me unless I ask you to. There's a lot of rabble gathering here. You must realise that they'd do anything to hurt a child.

The droid has repented. Shiai didn't need a slap on the wrist, but he seemed to realise his mistake.

We went to the office where I'd handed in my paperwork. The receptionist worked on the terminal for a few minutes and then called Shiai in. A device was used to take his blood, fingerprints, and retina scans, and then let him go.

Blood donations are mandatory - when looking for new Jedi. The receptionist got the results of the analyser 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, "that's how you detect potential Jedi.

- Exactly," the woman sighed in relief, "We have a duty to inform the Jedi Order. I'm sorry.

- Oh, no you're not," I grinned, "Look at your database, I'm a Jedi Master. And Shiaya's mother is a Jedi Master. It would be very strange if the boy didn't have the power.

- You're a Jedi? - The woman was surprised.

- Exactly," I smiled, "in terms of the laws of the Order, my son is my apprentice, so de jure he is already a youngling. And yet I would ask you not to inform the Order. You see... I don't think that my colleagues would be sensible to the fact that one of the masters of the Order has a son. Although it's not forbidden, it's considered bad form....

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

- Good. Are you sure you're a Jedi? - She asked, squinting her eyes.

I lifted the clipboard above her desk without comment, then showed her the hilt of my lightsaber.

- Right.

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

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

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

- Please. Check, is everything accurate?

I ran my eyes over it. There were, understandably, no differences from what was written on the form. After all this, my status was restored and after saying goodbye to the secretaries, I left the abode of bureaucracy. Shiai was happy to leave the place. On the way back, they raced with Erdwa - Erdwa flew on repulsors and Shiai tried to catch up with him.

I was now officially alive again, and Shia was now Shia Skywalker. Everything was in perfect order.

It was still a good thing the Republic hadn't changed over the millennia. It hadn't changed much - Shia hadn't even had to get used to the new times, just as I hadn't had to. And living on a farming planet, he hadn't seen much of life outside of it, much less hidden from society, so now I didn't have to explain basic things to him. That was a good thing.

It was nice to feel like a relatively free man after all. Now, however, I had added fatherly duties, but I didn't mind them - on the contrary, I gradually began to think less about them. When I returned to the ship, Shiai immediately flew off somewhere, as I realised, on his childish business, and I went towards the deckhouse. Erdva was next to me and I turned to my iron friend:

- Erdva, to make a long story short - find out about the half-blood 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 in the holonet and informed me:

- Togrutians are treated relatively normally. It's not that it's encouraged, but it's not forbidden. Half-breeds are also considered quite sexy, there's some content...

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

- It starts at nine in the morning, room nine hundred and one. It's four hours long.

- Thank you.

The questions were done for the day. As I expected, the laws become more loyal to half-bloods over time - 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 very handsome look. In fact, the Togruti, in the person of Tosya, attracted me with that.

Having collected my thoughts, I decided to finish my business for the day and go for a walk.