Since he was suspended in the air by energy binders at the wrists and ankles, slowly spinning, Obi-Wan could do little else but think as he was held captive on Geonosis. He'd tried using the Force to relieve himself of the binders, but it was no use.

Obi-Wan wondered if Anakin was still on Tatooine. Why had he gone there in the first place? He thought, baffled, at his wits end with Anakin. Anakin never said it, but Obi-Wan thought that Anakin believed he was ready for the trials. Obi-Wan knew he was justified when not agreeing with that. Anakin had only just turned 20. Obi-Wan had been knighted at 25, also then having taken 9 year old Anakin as his Padawan. Sometimes, Obi-Wan wished he go back and do things differently in how he taught Anakin. When he'd been knighted, he didn't truly feel he was ready to train, much less raise - as a parent would a child - Anakin. What Obi-Wan really wished is that Qui-Gon had lived, and he'd been Anakin's Master. Qui-Gon's specialty was the Living Force, it was not Obi-Wan's. Obi-Wan had a feeling that had Qui-Gon been his Master, Anakin would not be so spontaneous, unpredictable, or undisciplined. He would be more focused, on the moment, on the matter at hand, instead of thinking of what must happen next - but never having a plan. Obi-Wan sighed. Oh, how he wished Anakin would think things through more often - with a clear mind, such as his spur of the moment trip to his home planet of Tatooine.

Obi-Wan then thought of Padme, hoping she was safe, assuming she was with Anakin. Obi-Wan didn't like the idea of Anakin, who was supposed to be protecting her, taking Padme carelessly across the galaxy. He hadn't been happy when the Jedi Council had assigned Anakin to the protection of Padme. Obi-Wan knew he wasn't ready for such a responsibility - especcialy because of his feelings for her.

However, if Obi-Wan was being honest with himself, he knew he was developing feelings for her as well. One of the things Obi-Wan loved most about Padme was her compassion. She had more of it than he'd ever seen in a politician. Ten years ago, during the Trade Federation Blockade crisis, he'd witnessed firsthand the great and powerful love Padme felt towards her people, ready to sacrifice everything for them, just so they could have they're freedom back. And the people of Naboo made it clear how much they loved and trusted their young Queen.

Obi-Wan remembered the conversation, which had started to turn into a lecture on his part, he'd had with Anakin back on Coruscant days before about politicians, and how they shouldn't be trusted. It was true, that many indeed could not be trusted. But, Obi-Wan trusted Padme, and it was clear that she trusted him.

Obi-Wan was forced halt his musings when Count Dooku himself walked in.

"Traitor," Obi-Wan accused, Dooku being one of the Lost Twenty of the Jedi Order, and now he was plotting against them!

"Oh, no, my friend. This is mistake, a terrible mistake. They have gone too far, this is madness!" Dooku defended.

Obi-Wan wasn't fooled. "I thought you were the leader here, Dooku," He spat his name.

"This had nothing to do me, I assure you. I will petition immediately to have you set free." Dooku said.

"Well, I hope it doesn't take too long: I have work to do," Obi-Wan stated, thinking of Padme, and hunting down her would be killer.

"May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis?" Dooku asked.

"I've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett, do you know him?" Obi-Wan asked, hoping to get information.

"There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of; the Geonosians don't trust them." Dooku said.

Obi-Wan knew Dooku was lying.

"Well, who blame them? But he is here I can assure you." He told him.

"It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he were still alive…I could use his help right now," Dooku observed.

"Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you," Obi-Wan with all certainty.

"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've never gone along with had he learned the truth as I have." Dooku said matter-of-factly.

"The truth," Obi-Wan prompted, wanting to know Dooku's meaning.

"The truth," Dooku said again. "What if I told you the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith?"

"No, that's not possible," Obi-Wan said without hesitation. "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 Sith Lord called Darth Sidious."

"I don't believe you," Obi-Wan said again.

"The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious. But he was betrayed ten years ago by the dark lord. He came to me for help, told me everything," Dooku paused, and looked Obi-Wan in the eyes. "You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy the Sith!" Dooku offered.

Obi-Wan said nothing for a short moment, to let Dooku become hopeful. He could feel Dooku trying to get into his mind, to break him. Obi-Wan relied on his connection to the Force to help him block Dooku. And at last, Obi-Wan said, standing firm to his belief in the Republic and the Order,

"I will never join you, Dooku."

Count Dooku then walked away, towards the door, before turning back to Obi-Wan,

"It may be difficult to secure your release."

Obi-Wan continued to wait, but then guards came in - but not to set him free. For they took him to an arena, where, with his hands suspended above his head, they chained him to a large pillar. And he only had to wait a little while before seeing Padme and Anakin also being brought out to the arena. The large crowd of Geonosians came to see an execution, and the three of them were the ones that were going to be executed.

Padme and Obi-Wan then made eye contact. He couldn't help but notice how she was the very picture of bravery. She wasn't afraid. He could see that. He gave her a nod, a private nod. Be brave. She gave the same nod in return. I will. Obi-Wan then looked at Anakin, wondering how he'd gotten himself into this situation this time.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd gotten my message," Obi-Wan said matter-of-factly to Anakin as he was being led to the pillar next to him.

"I retransmitted it just as you had requested, Master," Anakin defended. "Then we decided to come and rescue you."

Obi-Wan looked up and his bound hands. "Good job," He told Anakin.

Then, on the balcony across the arena, Dooku stepped out to watch, and with him was Nute Gunray, Jango Fett, a Geonosian of status, and others. The Geonosian then gave what sounded like a command, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Obi-Wan had a feeling that the show, with he, Anakin, and Padme as the entertainment, was about to begin.

A Nexu, a Reek, and an Acklay were then released into the arena.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Anakin said as the beasts made their way towards the three of them.

Obi-Wan looked across to Padme, and smiled inwardly as she was working on getting herself free of her bindings. He watched as she succeeded in getting one hand free.

"Just relax, concentrate," Obi-Wan told Anakin.

"What about Padme?" Anakin asked him.

Obi-Wan was pleased that he didn't have to be as worried about Padme as he could've been - she could take care of herself.

"She seems to be on top of things," Obi-Wan said easily.

Anakin turned and was surprised to see Padme climbing up the pillar, trying to stay as far out of reach of the beast that coming toward her as possible.

Soon, the Acklay reached Obi-Wan. He dodged a couple of the Acklay's attacks, and then positioned his chain and the Acklay struck the chain. Obi-Wan hand's were still bound, but at least he was free from the pillar.

Meanwhile, Anakin and Padme were defending themselves. Anakin had launched himself onto the back of the Reek and had managed to also sever his chain from the pillar by wrapping it around the Reek's horn. The Reek had moved it's head in protest, and that's when the chain had broke.

Padme was quick to discover that she had the smallest, yet fastest and possibly most ferocious of the three beasts. It looked up at her, and then climbed up the pillar. Padme was not a Jedi; She couldn't use the Force the cushion her fall by jumping down from the pillar. Nor could she use the Force to calm the beast. As the Nexu was trying to get to her, Padme used her chain to strike it. But, it only worked for a few seconds before the Nexu reached her and slashed across her back and arm as Padme screamed out in pain.

Anakin was being dragged by the Reek, after he'd been thrown off, but he called upon the Force to calm the beast. The Reek stopped, and Anakin made sure it was calm before jumping back onto it and wrapping the chain around it's neck to control it.

Padme had just gotten her other hand free of the binder when she saw Anakin on the Reek, killing the Nexu.

"Jump," Anakin called.

Padme stood, and jumped on the beast behind Anakin.

Obi-Wan continued to fight off the Acklay. He threw the spear he was holding into the Acklay's shoulder. It roared in pain, but then took the spear out and broke it in two with it's jaw. Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up, and he ran towards the Reek that carried Anakin and Padme.

Padme saw Obi-Wan running towards them. He then jumped up, lightly taking a hold of her arm as he sat behind her. Padme put her hand on his knee, relieved to finally be near Obi-Wan, for the past few days had felt long indeed without his comforting presence.

They didn't get far when a handful of Destroyers came and surrounded them, trapping them.

Then, when all hope seemed to be lost, a miracle happened.

Obi-Wan, Padme, and Anakin watched as dozens upon dozens of Jedi ignited their light sabers all around the arena. Geonosians then started to flee the arena and hundreds of droids came out. The Jedi charged at them, and the Battle of Geonosis began.

After several minutes of intense fighting, Padme, Obi-Wan and the reduced group of Jedi were entirely surrounded by droids when they stopped firing. Obi-Wan was checking the pulse of a fallen Jedi, and when he could feel none he stood and went to stand only a couple of feet from Padme.

"Master Windu," Count Dooku's voice rang. "You have fought gallantly - worthy of recognition in the Archives of the Jedi Order." He quieted his voice, "But now…it is finished. Surrender, and your lives will be spared." Dooku offered.

"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku," Master Windu said firmly.

"Then, I'm sorry old friend," Dooku replied.

The droids got into attack position once again, and the Jedi got their light sabers ready to deflect their blasts. Padme looked up, and saw many ships, and she knew they were sent by the Republic.

"Look!" She cried, and the rest of the survivors also looked to see the gunships flying low.

The droids started firing, Padme firing back with her stolen droid blaster, and the Jedi sending many of the droids bolts back to them using their light sabers. The ships then landed, and troops came and fought the droids as the Jedi boarded the ships. Obi-Wan, Padme, and Anakin all got on the same ship. Obi-Wan got on first, and then took Padme's hand and easily pulled her onto the ship, and Anakin came behind her.

"Hold on," Obi-Wan instructed Padme, and she did as he said.

The ship was then nearing a Separatist droid making plant.

"Aim right above the fuel cells," Anakin told the pilot as they prepared to shoot at the towers.

Rockets were sent to where Anakin commanded, and the fuels cells promptly exploded the two of the towers fell over.

"Good call, my young padawan!" Obi-Wan said to Anakin.

It was the first time Padme had seen Obi-Wan praise Anakin. She wondered if Obi-Wan scolded Anakin often. Padme had heard them as her and Anakin were led to their execution posts, Obi-Wan voicing his doubt that his message had been sent.

"Attack those Federation starships, quickly!" Obi-Wan told the troops in the cockpit. And they did as he commanded.

"Look over there!" Obi-Wan said, pointing ahead of them.

"It's Dooku," Anakin observed. "Shoot him down!" He told the troops.

"We're out of rockets, sir," The pilot said to him.

"Follow him."

"We're gonna need some help!" Padme said, seeing as how it was the three of them and a handful of troops.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "There isn't time. Anakin and I can handle this!"

Obi-Wan sounded confident, but Padme wasn't so sure she liked the idea of Obi-Wan and Anakin facing Dooku alone. But, she would trust Obi-Wan.

Just then, the ship was hit, and Padme lost her grip, screaming as she fell to the ground.

Anakin ran to the edge. "Padme!" He turned to the pilot. "Put the ship down!"

Obi-Wan ran to where he was. "Anakin! Don't let your personal feelings get in the way!" He turned toward the pilot. "Follow that speeder."

"Lower the ship!" Anakin said once more.

"I can't take Dooku alone, I need you! If we catch him, we can end this war right now! We have a job to do!" Obi-Wan yelled, astonished at Anakin's behavior.

"I don't care! Put the ship down!"

"You will be expelled from the Jedi Order!" Obi-Wan roared.

"I can't leave her!" Anakin insisted.

"Come to your senses! What do you think Padme would do if she were in our position?" Obi-Wan said. Of course he was just as worried about Padme as Anakin was, but he knew Padme well enough that he knew she wouldn't want them to come back after her. She would want them to take the chance to end this war. And that's what Obi-Wan was going to do, but he needed Anakin's help.

"She would do her duty," Anakin finally said.

Obi-Wan turned, still worried about Anakin. His thoughts were no doubt centered around Padme. Obi-Wan wondered how much of a help he would be with a clouded mind. Obi-Wan was better trained and disciplined to not let such thoughts cloud his judgment.

Soon, they arrived at Dooku's hanger. They jumped off the ship, light sabers ready. It'd didn't take them long to spot Count Dooku.

"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you killed today, Dooku," Anakin promised.

"We'll take him together. You go in slowly on the left-"

"I'll take him now!" Anakin said, anger bubbling over in his voice.

"No, Anakin, no! No!" Obi-Wan yelled, trying to stop him.

But, it was too late. Using his Force Lightning, Dooku took Anakin and slammed him against the rock wall.

Obi-Wan pointed his light saber at Dooku, ready for a duel.

"As you see," Dooku said to him. "My Jedi powers are far beyond yours. Now, back down."

He aimed his Force Lighting at Obi-Wan, who brought his blade up and used the Force to absorb the lighting.

"I don't think so," Obi-Wan said.

Dooku then activated his red blade and entered the opening stance of Makashi, one of the oldest, yet most powerful of the seven light saber combat forms. Obi-Wan then struck, only to be met by Dooku's light saber. Obi-Wan used his much treasured mastery of Soresu. Soresu, which was Form Three, was also a classic form, but it was much more common than Makashi, and was the most defensive of the seven forms.

"Master Kenobi, you disappoint me. Yoda holds you is such high esteem," Dooku said.

Obi-Wan struck at him again.

"Surely you can to better!" Dooku taunted.

Obi-Wan tried fiercely to gain the upper hand in the fight.

Padme moaned in pain as regained consciousness. She tried getting up as a Clone Trooper ran up to her.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Padme nodded and stood.

"We better get back to the forward command center." The clone advised.

"No, no." Padme said firmly. "Gather what troops you can. We've got to get to that hanger. Get a transport - hurry!"

"Right away!" The clone said, and he and Padme were on their way - the way to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan continued to fight Dooku. Their light sabers met, each trying to push the others, trying to get the chance to strike. Dooku moved his light saber, and Obi-Wan yelled out in pain, not once, but twice as Dooku cut both his arm and his thigh. He fell to the ground, wincing in pain as he held his leg. Dooku then stood over him, holding his blade high, intending to deliver a blow that would kill Obi-Wan instantly. Obi-Wan looked up at him, and just as Dooku's blade lowered, Anakin appeared, blocking it.

"Brave of you boy," Dooku said. Obi-Wan used Dooku's distraction to get his light saber, which was a few feet away. It was difficult for him to use the Force, the pain in his arm and leg still sharp. "I would've thought you'd learned your lesson."

"I am a slow learner," Anakin said in response.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan called as they started fighting, tossing him his light saber. The movement caused Obi-Wan to clutch his leg and wince in pain again. He gasped as the lights went out.

Only a moment had passed when he heard Anakin cry out in pain. Dooku used the Force to push him, landing next to Obi-Wan, unconscious and without his right arm. Obi-Wan, too, then went unconscious.

Padme and some clone troopers arrived at the hanger. She paused to see if anything would come out, but nothing did. She turned to the troops, and pointed to the ones closest to her,

"You two, come with me."

Then she and the clones entered the hanger slowly, having their weapons ready. Then they saw Yoda and Dooku battling toward the back of the hanger, not with their lightsabers, but with the Force. Padme gasped as she saw a more horrific sight in front of her: Obi-Wan and Anakin lying unconscious.

She and clones ran up to them, Padme taking a moment to look at their injuries. She saw Anakin's were much more severe.

"You two, carefully take him to the transport," She instructed, motioning Anakin, and she looked to Obi-Wan. "But, I don't want him moved until I can at least patch up his leg." Padme said.

The troops nodded, and Anakin awoke as he walked with the clones help to the transport.

"Obi-Wan," Padme breathed, stroking his face.

Barely responding, Padme went to his belt, hoping one of the pouches would have some bacta inside. She was relieved to find the first one she opened appeared to be a small emergency medical kit. She then went to Obi-Wan's leg and ripped his pants a little to make the wound easier to get to. Padme then took a small amount of bacta and rubbed it on his wound.

"Obi-Wan, can you hear me? Please, wake up," Padme said quietly, bending over to be close to his face.

She was relieved when he opened his eyes. "Padme?"

"Everything's alright," She said.

Just then, the column started to break and fall towards them. On instinct, she bent even lower and guarded Obi-Wan. But, Yoda used the Force to stop the column from falling onto the precious Jedi and Senator, and only allowed it to fall when it was safely behind them.

Obi-Wan was fully awake now, and Padme stood, and just as she was starting to help Obi-Wan up, a clone trooper ran up to them and also assisted Obi-Wan. Padme took his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders and they walked back to the transport.