Ok! Another Star Wars story! Set just after AOTC, kind of an AU for the ending. The first part of this is just a novelisation of the movie, but it gets more and more original as I tinker with the plot…
Padawan Bond
The Seeds of A Plot
How could I let myself get captured? Obi-Wan thought bitterly. At least I sent the message to Anakin, but what was the boy doing on Tatooine? I specifically told him to stay on Naboo…Obi-Wan stared at the plain, brown walls of the Geonosian prison cell gently sliding past as he revolved in the force field. His wrists and ankles were bound, and he floated a few feet above the two generators. Every so often, a shot of pain would go through his body as the electric restraints crackled. He tried not to think of what would happen to him. The cell door slid upwards and Count Dooku walked in. Obi-Wan tried to stiffen, but the force field held him still. The Count smiled at Obi-Wan's wary expression. Obi-Wan didn't like that smile.
"Traitor."
The Count looked surprised.
"Oh no my friend. This is a mistake, a terrible mistake! They've gone too far. This is madness."
"I thought you were the leader here Dooku."
Obi-Wan's restraints crackled again, and he winced slightly.
"This had nothing to do with me, I assure you. I will petition immediately for you to be set free."
The Count looked and sounded sincere. Obi-Wan's tone was casual, but verging on impatience.
"Well I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work to do."
Dooku smiled again.
"Tell me, what brings a Jedi Knight to Geonosis?"
The words came out of Obi-Wan's mouth before he could stop them.
"I'm tracking a bounty hunter called Jango Fett. Do you know him?"
Dooku scorned.
"There are no bounty hunters here that I am aware of, the Geonosians don't trust them."
Obi-Wan persisted.
"Well who can blame them but he is here. I can assure you."
Dooku started pacing the cell, in the opposite direction to Obi-Wan's revolution. He sighed.
"It's a great pity our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you."
Was that a quaver in his voice?
"I wish he were still alive. I could use his help right now."
Obi-Wan's grief and mounting anger that this traitor should mention Qui-Gon boiled inside of him.
"Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you."
Dooku looked at Obi-Wan, slightly amused.
"Don't be so sure, my young Jedi. You forget that he was once my apprentice, just as you were once his. He knew all about the corruption in the Senate, but he would never have gone along with it if he had earned the truth as I have."
Obi-Wan could not help but feel curious. Yet another sharp pain travelled down his arm.
"The truth?"
"The Truth."
Dooku stopped pacing and gave Obi-Wan a searching look.
"What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of a Dark Lord of the Sith?"
Obi-Wan frowned.
"No. That's not possible, the Jedi would be aware of it."
"The dark side of the Force has clouded their vision, my friend. Hundreds of Senators are now under the influence of a Dark Lord of the Sith called Darth Sidious."
How does Dooku know? This sounds very suspicious. Another crackle of restraints broke Obi-Wan's thoughts.
"I don't believe you."
Dooku seemed nonchalant.
"The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious. But he was betrayed, almost tens years ago, by the Dark Lord. He came to me for help and told me everything."
Dooku leaned forwards almost touching the force field, a pleading look on his face, but a hungry look in his eyes.
"You must join me Obi-Wan. And together, we will destroy the Sith!"
Obi-Wan had made that choice when Dooku had walked in.
"I will never join you, Dooku."
Dooku studied him, and shrugged, but Obi-Wan could sense his disappointment. He headed for the door and turned suddenly. His smile was back.
"It may be difficult to secure your release."
He walked out and Obi-Wan was alone again. Dooku could not have made it any clearer. Join me, or stay here. Obi-Wan sighed. How am I going to get out of here alive? He thought of several options, each more hopeless than the last. He had to get back somehow and report to the council. The only thing I can do is wait. He stared at the wall, hoping for inspiration. His restraints crackled again, and he winced.
. ….
There must be some way to persuade him. The thought circled around Count Dooku's head as he walked out of the Geonosian prison quarters. A Jedi of his integrity and talent would be quite an asset. But how to shake that confidence in the Jedi Order from him? He reminded Dooku so much of Qui-Gon, the stubbornness, for example. Count Dooku smiled as he recalled his many missions and trials with Qui-Gon. His anguish at the news of Qui-Gon's death, which had helped him realise the power of the dark side. His new Master, Darth Sidious, was very interested in that Skywalker boy, but to Dooku, it seemed he was missing what was right in front of him. Kenobi was so much better than he was… Dooku paused. He had sensed Kenobi's despair lingering when he mentioned Qui-Gon…That might be of some use to him. But Dooku knew, charismatic as he was, he could turn Obi-Wan alone. He needed his Master's help. He descended the winding stairs and emerged in the main control room. The large table that served as a holocomm and was also used for watching battles was not in use. The large screens that covered the walls and the consoles that controlled them were off. The room was silent. Dooku pressed the button to activate the holocomm and entered the code. He bowed deeply when he heard the machine warming up. He could just see the tip of Sidious' robes.
"What is it, Lord Tyranus?"
Dooku straightened up.
"My Master. The Geonosians have captured a Jedi Knight. He was found outside the droid factory sector."
Darth Sidious smiled.
"Ah, yes. Master Kenobi. I did think he would be more careful. He is tracking Jango Fett."
"I know. He told me himself. I offered to release him if he joined me, but he refused."
"That is to be expected. He is very loyal to the Jedi Code. Also, I sense that you asked him for a more personal reason?"
"Well. If the truth be told, his Master was my Padawan, in a sense, he's practically my grandson- but I asked him purely out of interest of the Confederacy, of course."
Dooku was very good at hiding emotions, but Darth Sidious was not fooled.
"I find that hard to believe, my apprentice. But the young Jedi has useful means. I suggest we extract them. If he falls, Skywalker will follow."
"Yes, my Master. But the Republic is coming. Kenobi managed to get a message off the planet before he was captured. What is to be done with him? He cannot be set free."
Dooku looked inquiringly at Sidious.
"Yes, the Jedi will waste no time in liberating Kenobi. I also believe you have two more intruders."
Dooku raised his eyebrows.
"I had not sensed this. Who, may I ask, is disturbing us now?"
"Why, young Skywalker and Senator Amidala. They have entered the droid factory in a vain attempt to get to Kenobi. Summon Fett to arrest them."
"He is already patrolling the droid factory, Master."
"Good. They will all be sent to the arena."
Dooku was startled. All?
"Master, what if they don't survive? Our plan will be for nothing."
Sidious cackled.
"If you believe in Kenobi's power, why worry? If he survives he will be worth more. And you have forgotten the Republic reinforcements. A battle is approaching, Tyranus, be ready for it. We will meet again when you arrive on Coruscant."
The hologram winked out before Dooku could reply. He stood studying the place where Sidious' figure had been, deep in thought. A hundred things could go wrong with Sidious' plan. Each one whirled around Dooku's head. He sensed a familiar presence and turned smiling.
"Ah, Jango. Have you caught our intruders?"
Jango's helmet hid his expression, but Dooku sensed his surprise. It was quickly stifled by his usual business-like aura.
"They are in separate cells, my lord. A Jedi and a Senator. Senator Amidala, the senator I was paid to dispose of. Will I carry out the execution?"
Dooku waved the notion off.
"No, no she will die in the arena but you may keep your money. You are invited to watch, of course, I might still need your skills in future."
"You mean as a bodyguard."
Jango's tone was slightly sullen.
"Yes, but don't think that will keep you from the field, I assure you. There is plenty yet to come."
"Thank you, my lord."
Jango bowed stiffly and walked out. Now, the executions can begin. Dooku strolled out of the control room. The archduke will be pleased with the arrangements for the prisoners…