What if Anakin had left the Jedi Order before The Attack Of The Clones? What if he had been hired as a mercenary to keep Padmé safe instead of the Jedi but the Jedi had been asked to keep an eye on the Lost Chosen One?
A/N: Since this will be an AU, characters will have some OC traits but, in essence, will remain like they are in the movies and cartoons. I hope you all enjoy :)
Chapter One: Blast From The Past
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
There is unrest in the Galactic Senate. Several thousand solar systems have declared their intentions to leave the Republic.
This separatist movement, under the leadership of the mysterious Count Dooku, has made it difficult for the limited number of Jedi Knights to maintain peace and order in the galaxy.
Senator Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, is returning to the Galactic Senate to vote on the critical issue of creating an ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC to assist the overwhelmed Jedi...
Over the amber city planet of Coruscant, a single yellow Naboo Fighter flew ahead of a large Royal Cruiser and two more Fighters toward the planet. The sun glinted off the chrome hull of the Naboo spacecraft, as the four spacecrafts navigated their way between the buildings of the capital towards the landing platforms.
Two of the Naboo Fighters landed on one smaller platforms of the three-leaf-clover landing platform. The Royal Starship followed by landing on the central platform while the third Fighter landed on the remaining platform. A small group of dignitaries waits to welcome the Senator.
One of the fighter pilots jumped from the wing of his ship and removes his helmet. He made his way over to a woman pilot. "We made it," he started, smiling. "I guess I was wrong, there was no danger at all."
The ramp lowered and two Naboo guards, Senator Amidala, one of her hand maidens and another four guards descended the ramp. The dignitaries start to move forward. Just as Senator Amidala reached the foot of the ramp, a sudden blinding flash and explosion rang out. The dignitaries and pilots were hurled to the ground as the starship was destroyed.
Klaxons blared and alarms sounded. Captain Typho and the two escort pilots got up quickly and ran to where Senator Amidala lay dying. As the pilots moved, R2-D2 dropped down from the Naboo Fighter and moved toward the wreckage. The female escort pilot kneeled down by Senator Amidala and took off her helmet, revealing Senator Padme Amidala.
"Cordé," she whispered as she gathered up her decoy double in her arms. Cordé's eyes were still open, looking up at the Senator.
"Milady, I'm so sorry. I've failed you, Senator," she apologised with her last breath, dying in her friend's arms.
"No," Padmé exclaimed, tears obvious in her voice as she hugged the corpse of Cordé to her body. She slowly lowered Cordé to the ground. She stood up and looked around at the devastation, tears in her eyes. She stayed with Cordé's body as Captain Typho came over to them.
"Milady, you are still in danger," he informed her, trying to get her to move away from the danger.
Padmé slowly stood up, her eyes still locked on Cordé's corpse. "I should not have come back," she stated.
"This vote is very important. You did your duty, Cordé did hers. Now come," he requested but she didn't respond. "Senator Amilda, please!" he pleaded.
Without another word, Padmé turned and Captain Typho escorted her away from the danger.
R2 let out a small whimper before following them….
Chancellor Palpatine sits behind his desk with two red-clad royal guards on either side of the door. Yoda, Plot Koon, Ki-Ad-Mundi, and Mace Windu sit across from him, with Kit Fisto, Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee standing behind the other Jedi.
"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends," Palpatine informed them. " More and more star systems are joining the separatists."
"If they do break away –" Windu started but was interrupted by the Chancellor.
"I will not let this republic which has stood for a thousand years be split in two," Palpatine interrupted. "My negotiations will not fail."
"But if they do, you must realise there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers," Windu replied.
"Master Yoda," Palpatine started, looking at the old Jedi Grand Master. "Do you think it will really come to war?
Yoda closed his eyes and replied, "The Dark Side clouds everything. Impossible to see, the future is."
Suddenly, a hologram of an aide appears on the Chancellor's desk. " The loyalist committee has arrived, my Lord," Dar Wac informed the Chancellor in Huttese.
"Send them in," Palpatine replied.
They all stood as Senator Amidala, Captain Typho, Jar Jar, Mas Amedda, Dormé, Senator Bail Organa, Senator Horox Ryyder and Senator Orn Free Taa entered the office. Yoda and Mace Windu moved to greet the senators.
"Senator Amilda, your tragedy on the landing platform, terrible. Seeing you alive, brings warm feeling to my heart," Yoda greeted the young senator.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Padmé replied before asking, "Do you have any idea who was behind this attack?"
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners, on the moons of Naboo," Mace Windu informed her as he joined Yoda and the loyalist committee.
"I think that Count Dooku is behind it," she replied, creating surprise in the room.
"He is a political idealist, not a murderer," Ki-Adi-Mundi replied first.
"You know, M'Lady, Count Dooku was once a Jedi," Windu added. "He wouldn't assassinate anyone, it is not in his character."
"But for certain, Senator, in grave danger you are," Yoda stated.
"Master Jedi, might I suggest," Palpatine stated from where he stoop at the window, looking out onto the capital, "that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces."
Bail Organa stepped forward. "Do you think that's a wise decisions during these stressful times?
Padmé agreed. "Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe the..." she started but was interrupted.
"'The situation is that serious?'" he asked, interrupting the young senator. "No, but I do, Senator. I realise all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you, but perhaps someone you are familiar with... an old friend like... Master Kenobi..." he suggested.
"That's possible. He has just returned from a Border dispute on Ansion," Windu replied.
"Do it for me, M'Lady, please. The thought of losing you is unbearable," Palpatine pleaded.
Windu turned to Padmé. "I will have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, M'Lady. Unless you prefer your own Head of Security finding a more subtle option?" he offered. "Master Kenobi and his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano can be a back-up if you choose the latter option."
Padmé nodded. "Thank you, Master Windu."
A hooded male figure made its way through the crowded streets of Coruscant, dodging grifters and the like as he moved. He looked up at the HoloNews. He stopped as the news was broadcast of the explosion on one of the landing platforms. His blue eyes widened in horror. "Padmé," he whispered, watching for any sign of his childhood angel. The newscaster finally announced that the former Queen of Naboo was safe but there had been other fatalities. His commlink beeped, the young man immediately taking the device out to answer the call.
"Anakin, you've been hired for a new job. I'll brief you when you get back," Embo informed his partner.
Anakin nodded. "I'll see you in twenty," he replied, making his way into the shadow covered alleyway, hiding in plain sight….
Before anyone asks, yes, I have nade changes to the movie script ;)
Any good? :)
