Just a bit of a warning, this ch may be a little long, but don't turn away just yet, you mat find this one to be rather interesting
Disclaimer: If I owned anything of Star Wars beyond my OC, I'd would kicking Sidious in the groin repeatedly right now for screwing with Anakin and the Jedi. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Secrets of Light and Dark
The school day begins to reach its end as Adam and Riyo sit at a table with Will and a couple other of his friends in their International Kitchen class enjoying the Mixed Fruit Salad everyone pitched in to make.
"This fruit salad is by far one of the greatest things I've ever tasted." Riyo says in delight.
"And yet instead of this, millions of people ever year gorge themselves with fattening fast food restaurant crap." Adam replies going for a chuck of pineapple in his bowl with his fork."
(I'm just sayin, there's other stuff to eat for lunch besides McDonald's, even though it is REALLY good!)
"So Riyo," Will begins to say. "What do you like best about being in America?"
"I have to say... the friendship and kindness people here show." She answers looking toward Adam which makes him slightly embarrassed.
The last school bell ring of the day goes off and all of the students in the room proceed out the door. Adam and Riyo make their way down the halls to get to the bus home.
"So how was class with Mr. Dailey?" Adam asks her.
"It was actually really nice. He didn't go off and introduce me to the rest of the class because he said he felt it would set me up as a target or something like that."
"Yeah, some kids can be like that, you just have to know who you can and can't trust." Adam says as they head out the doors into the clear and sunny afternoon outside.
"I trust you." Riyo says catching Adam off guard.
"Then you have good taste in character." Adam responds jokingly.
"Hey Adam!" A familiar voice calls from behind them.
They turn to see Nick coming up to them looking very suspicious.
"Yeah, Nick?" Adam coldly responds.
"What was with that whole freak show that happened in Marine Bio?"
"There's nothing to talk about, Nick. You threw a piece of clam at me and I dodged it like anyone else would have."
"Yeah, then explain how you knew I was throwing it with your back turned away from me."
"It was a lucky break, okay? Now leave us alone already before you get into more trouble."
The two then head for their bus leaving Nick standing alone with a very angry look on his face.
The two take their seat together as the bus heads to the nearby middle school to pick up Adam's sister.
"I think we should be careful around Nick from now on." Riyo quietly whispers in her friends ear. "He seems like he's too convinced that what you did wasn't normal."
"That's because it wasn't. I'm not even sure how I.."
It then all begins to click together inside Adam's head.
"Wait, that day when you tapped into my memories about learning English, that must have awakened some kind of dormant Force energy inside of me. I thought I felt different after that happened."
"That reminds me." Riyo says to him. "Since we both seem to be Force Adepts in need of training, and you seem to know a great deal about how one becomes a Jedi..."
"Yeah, keep going." Adam says to her.
"I was wondering if.. you could help train me."
"Oh, well, to be honest Riyo, I'm not entirely sure I'm the best teacher to have. I mean I do know a couple of things about Jedi rituals and procedures, but I don't know."
"What other choice do we really have? I can't ask Ahsoka because I'm worried about what would happen if someone found out, for both her and my sake. Adam.. you're the only hope either of us has."
After taking in these words and thinking over it, Adam comes to a decision.
"Okay, I'll give it a shot."
Riyo then happily hugs him in joy to saying yes.
While all this was going on, Nick had watched their entire conversation go on from the back seats of the bus, and while he didn't know what they were saying, he knew he was going to find out.
After at least 10 minutes of driving, the bus stops at an intersection with a Dairy Queen in front of them and another restaurant to their left.
"Hey Kreisha." Nick calls out to her. "Is it okay if I just get off here?"
"Sure Nick." She answers opening the door.
He walks down the aisle of the bus giving an uncomfortable glare towards Adam before getting off and crossing the street to the left. The bus then speeds along its route toward Adams house.
"That's weird," Riyo comments a little suspiciously. "Why would he decide to get off just now?"
"I don't know, and personally, I don't want to know." Adam responds.
The bus later stops at the front of the street where they got on and opens the door to let Adam, Riyo, Alysha and Avery off before it drives off to other stops. The group then part ways as Adam and the others unlock the door to go inside while Avery heads off to his house down the street. But just as everyone goes inside, Nick pops his head from behind a nearby building to check if the coast was clear. Once done, he sprints quickly yet quietly across the street and over toward Adams house, bending down below an unblinded window as to not to be seen.
"Okay," Alysha says to the other two. "I'm going to my room to listen to some music, you guys do.. whatever it is you do when no one's around."
She then heads down the hall to her room leaving Adam and Riyo alone in the living room.
"Alright, now that we're back, let's get to watching the movie." Adam says getting up from the couch with Riyo following his lead.
She then makes a turn for the window that Nick is watching them through with him quickly ducking below from view before being spotted.
"I'm gonna close the blinds for privacy." Riyo calls out to her friend getting the DVD to watch.
"Fine by me." He answers.
She then pulls down the blinds at the window leaving Nick now unable to see what was going on inside. He still is able to hear them as he then picks up a loud hi pitched whine and a blue flash of light through the cracks of the blinds.
"Think it'll be safe to leave the Image Cloaker off?" Riyo asks Adam as they both sit down together to begin the movie.
"Yeah, I think so. The blinds are closed so I doubt anyone would be purposely trying to spy on us."
"What about Nick? I'm not liking the feeling I pick up from that guy. He was asking too many question about what happened at school and he kept glaring at you once he got off the bus."
"Then we'll just have to be careful about what we say outside of the house. Riyo, relax. It's all under control."
"Okay," She responds a little nervously. "I hope you're right."
She then clicks the play button on the remote staring up the movie.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
Star Wars
Episode II
Attack of the Clones
There is an 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...
The movie opens to a large and magnificent view of Coruscant from space as two Naboo Starfighters accompanied by a J-type diplomatic barge with a third starfighter following close behind begin their decent into the planets atmosphere.
"Senator," Lieutenant Theomet Danlé begins to speak to what seems to be Senator Amidala facing him with her back towards the audience . "We're making our final approach into Coruscant."
"Very good, Lieutenant." She responds as she and the others with her prepare for landing.
The group of ships speed above a seemingly endless sea of clouds with several buildings of sorts peeking through. Through a dense and thick field of fog, the barge begins to land softly at the landing platform with the 3 starfighters landing close by. A pilot of one these starfighters along with R2-D2 exit their craft.
"We made it." Captain Gregar Typho says to the pilot as the senator and her entourage make their way down the ramp of the ship "I guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all."
Not two seconds after those words left him did a gigantic explosion bombard the ship and their crew, leaving both wings completely torn off and many of the victims either dead or greatly injured. After getting up from the impact of the explosion, Typho and the pilot quickly rush over to the mortally injured senator surrounded by large pieces of debris from the destroyed ship. The pilot removes her helmet to show the face of Padmé looking worried with fear towards what is now identified as her decoy.
"Cordé." She says trying to see if she was still with her.
"Milady.. I'm so sorry." She utters while grief and pain consumes Padmés entire being. "I've failed you, Senator."
"No."
Cordés head then becomes limp with no movement at all.
"Milady, you're still in danger here." Typho says with concern, worried that another attack may come soon.
"I shouldn't have come back."
"This vote is very important. You did your duty, Cordé did hers, now come."
The senator meanwhile is still unable to just leave her friends body behind.
"Senator Amidala, please!" Typho pleads to her with worry.
Padmé reluctantly complies as they and the others attempt to exit the platform.
At the Supreme Chancellor's room, Chancellor Palpatine along with Masters Yoda, Windu, and several others discuss the situation of the many representatives leaving the Republic.
"I don't how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends." Palpatine expresses with concern. "More and more star systems are joining the separatists."
"If they do break away.." Mace begins.
"I will not let this republic, that has stood for a thousand years, be split in two." The Chancellor responds. "My negotiations will not fail."
"If they do, you must realize there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic." Mace says to Palpatine. "We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
"Master Yoda." Palpatine says addressing the concerned, ancient Jedi Master. "Do you think it will really come to war?"
" Hmm, the Dark Side clouds everything." He sadly replies. "Impossible to see the future is."
Just then, a holo projection of a Rodian appears before Palpatine from the holoprojecter on his desk.
{The Loyalist Committee has arrived, Your Honor.} he says speaking in Huttese.
"Good."
He then speaks something else in Huttese, but for some reason, no subtitles appear. (No joke by the way. It just stops there.)
"Send them in." The Chancellor orders as the door opens to reveal Padmé, Jar Jar Binks, Senator Bail Organa and several other members of the committee making their way in.
"We will discuss this matter later." Palpatine concludes as Yoda goes to meet with them.
"Senator Amidala, your tragedy on the landing platform.. terrible." He says with sympathy. "Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart."
"Do you have any idea who's behind these attacks?" Padme asks the Jedi Master.
"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo." Mace responds.
"I think that Count Dooku was behind it." Padmé says with certainty. This causes Riyo to raise her eyebrows with concern.
"He is a political idealist, not a murderer" Master Ki Adi Mundi responds to this accusation.
"You know, milady, Count Dooku was a Jedi" Mace says to her. "He couldn't assassinate anyone. It's not in his character."
Riyo however, now knew just how wrong Master Windu was.
"But, for certain Senator, in grave danger you are." Yoda says with growing apprehension.
"Master Jedi," The Chancellor begins to say. "May I suggest, the senator be placed, under the protection of your graces."
"Do you really think that's a wise decision under these stressful times?" Senator Organa speaks out disagreeably.
"Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe.." Padmé begins.
"The situation is that serious?" Palpatine says finishing her sentence. (Always believed that was a hint about his true self, if you know what I mean.) "No but I do, Senator. I realize all to well that additional security may be disruptive for you."
Master Yoda then looks toward the Chancellor with a face of suspicion.
"But, perhaps someone you're familiar with. An old friend, like Master Kenobi."
"That's possible." Mace interjects. "He's just returned from a border dispute on Ansion."
"Do it for me milady, please?" Palpatine pleads to his old friend. "The thought of losing you.. is unbearable."
"I'll have Obi-Wan report to you immediately, milady." Mace says to her.
"Thank you, Master Windu." She politely responds.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and a now 19 year old Anakin Skywalker quickly ascend in a small glass elevator in route to Padmés apartment at the top of the immensely tall building.
"You seem a little on edge." Obi-Wan comments to his Padawan noticing his nervous behavior.
"Not at all." Anakin replies half heartedly.
"I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of gundarks."
"Hehe, you fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you, remember?"
"Oh.. yes." Obi-Wan then breaks out into soft laughter as Anakin does the same while still looking a little anxious.
"Your sweating." Obi-Wan says to him. "Relax. Take a deep breath."
"I haven't seen her in 10 years, master."
Up at Padmés apartment, Jar Jar paces back and forth around the room until the elevator arrives with two familiar faces.
"Obi? Obi! Mesa so smilen to seein yousa!" He says shaking Obi-Wan's hand with joy.
"Good to see you again, Jar Jar." He politely answers.
"Senator Padmé!" Jar Jar calls out getting Padmé and Typho's attention. "Mesa palos here! Lookie, lookie, Senator. Desa Jedi arriven." (Hope you guys understand at least HALF of what Jar Jar's saying.)
"It is a great pleasure to see you again, milady." Obi-Wan says as he and his Padawan bow respectfully.
"It's been far too long, Master Kenobi." She answers back to her old friend, then soon turns to see the young man standing next to him.
"Ani?" She says with surprise. "My goodness, you've grown."
"So have you. Grown more beautiful, I mean." He says with a short awkward silence following soon. "Well, for a Senator, I mean."
Padmé responds by laughing a little embarrassed "Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine." She says to him as they head to the couch to take seats.
"Our presence here will be invisible, milady, I can assure you." Obi-Wan says to the senator.
"I'm Captain Typho of Her Majesty's security service." Typho says abruptly. "Queen Jamilla has been informed of your assignment. I am grateful you are here, Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous than the senator will admit"
"I don't need more security, I need answers." Padmé then says to the Jedi. "I want to know who's trying to kill me."
"We are here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation." Obi-Wan says in response.
"We will find out who's trying to kill you, Padmé" Anakin then says to her firmly. "I promise you."
"We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner."
"I meant that in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course."
"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. And you will pay attention to my lead."
"Why?"
This then gains Obi-Wan's attention with a surprised look. "What?"
This then causes an awkward silence among everyone.
"Why else do you think we were assigned to her if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security, Not Jedi. It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate."
"We will do exactly as the council has instructed." Obi-Wan gruffly says to his Padawan. "And you will learn your place, young one."
"Perhaps with merely your presence," Padmé says speaking up. "the mystery surrounding this threat will be revealed." She then rises from her seat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I will retire"
Everyone else rises from the couches as Padmé and her handmaiden walk in direction of her room.
"I know I'll feel better having you here." Typho says to Obi-Wan "I'll have an officer stationed on every floor, and I'll be in the control room downstairs"
"Mesa busten wit happiness seein yousa again, Ani." Jar Jar says to his friend while his gaze is completely focused on the Padmé leaving the room.
"She hardly even recognized me, Jar Jar." He says with disappointment. "I've thought about every day since we parted, and... she's forgotten me completely."
"Shesa happy." Jar Jar adds "Happier den mesa seein her in a longo time."
"You're focusing on the negative, Anakin. Be mindful of your thoughts." His master says to him. "She was pleased to see us. Now, let's check the security."
He and his master then leave to do just that.
On a dark and yet busy night in the streets of Coruscant, a female bounty hunter exits her small airspeeder next to the roof of the Trade Federation Office Tower and meets with an armored figure who's back is turned away from view.
"I hit the ship, but they used a decoy." the female says to him.
"We'll have to try something more subtle this time, Zam." He says addressing her. "My client is getting impatient. Take these."
He then hands her a long glass tube with something crawling inside.
"Be careful, they're very poisonous."
She then turns to leave only to receive one last word from the armored figure. "Zam, there can be no mistakes this time."
Back at Padmés apartment, Anakin and Obi-Wan keep watch outside of her room for protection against any would be assassins that would come her way while she sleeps peacefully with R2 nearby in case of an intrusion.
"You look tired." Obi-Wan comments to his apprentice looking out on the balcony with a weary and troubled look on his face.
"I don't sleep well anymore." He responds.
"Because of your mother?"
He silently nods. "I don't why I keep dreaming about her."
Despite it being only an image, Riyo can detect a large amount of fear and anxiety emanating from the young Padawan.
"Dreams pass in time." His master says in an attempt to ease his mind.
"I'd much rather dream about Padmé. Just being around her again is... intoxicating."
"Be mindful of your thoughts, Anakin. They betray you." Obi-Wan warns. "You've made a commitment to the Jedi Order, a commitment not easily broken. And don't forget, she's a politician, and they're not to be trusted."
"She's not like the others in the senate, Master." Anakin continues to says behind Padmés door while the shadow of a peculiar droid lurks closer towards the window.
"It is my experience that senators focus only on pleasing those who fund their campaigns.." Obi-Wan lectures.
The shape of an assassination droid outside the window then appears as clear as day.
"And they're in no means scared of forgetting the niceties of democracy."
"Not another lecture," Anakin protests. "At least not on the economics of politics."
The droid meanwhile makes quick work of disabling the security fields placed on the window while making sure not to set off the "sleeping" R2. It then carefully incisions a small hole through the glass of the window where it opens a small tube releasing two venomous centipede like creatures called Kourhuns into the room. The two anthropoids then begin to seek out the nearest body heat signature in the room and head in direction of the sleeping Padmé. Suddenly, R2 comes to life with soft beeping noises quickly alerting the kourhuns and forcing them to hide from the droid. After carefully surveying the area for any threats and finding none, R2 then powers down allowing the kourhuns to continue their hunt.
"And besides." Anakin says back in the room outside. "you're generalizing. The chancellor doesn't appear to be corrupt."
"Palpatine is a politician."
"I have observed that he is very clever in following the passions and prejudices of the Senators." The kourhuns meanwhile separate from each other, one goes to the bottom right of Padmés mattress proceeding upwards while the other crawls over the head of her bed heading towards her neck.
"I think he's a good man. My-" Anakin's sentence is then cut short as he turns his head sensing a disturbance coming from the senator's bedroom.
"I sense it too." His master says as they both quickly proceed towards the next room.
The kourhuns had managed to come within less than six inches away from Padmés face and were about to strike, when just in time, Anakin rushes through the door with his azure colored lightsaber activated as he leaps through the air onto Padmés bed slicing the two creatures apart while the senator awakens with shock. Obi-Wan's sight is then turned towards the assassin droid hovering outside now preparing to retreat. He takes action quickly and jumps straight through the window sending shards of glass flying in its wake and manages to grasp the fleeing droid as it flies away.
"Stay here!" Anakin says to her as heads out to find a speeder to go and pursue them.
After a long and life threatening speeder chase through the traffic of Coruscant, the two Jedi managed to apprehend the assassin outside of local club and proceed to interrogation.
"Do you know who it was you were trying to kill?" Obi-Wan says to her.
"It was a senator from Naboo." She weakly answers from the pain of having her hand severed by his lightsaber soon before.
"And who hired you?"
"It was just a job."
"Who hired you? Tell us." Anakin calmly asks her, but receiving no response.
"TELL US NOW!" He then yells in anger.
"It was a bounty hunter called..."
Suddenly, a sharp metal object quickly flies out of nowhere and straight into Zam's neck causing her to gag. The two Jedi turn to see an armored figure standing in the distance whom then activates its jet pack and flies off into the sky. They then turn to the now dying Clawdite slowly reverting to her normal form as she curses in Huttese "Wee shanit... sleemo."
She falls to the ground without a single movement. Obi-Wan then pulls the object from her throat and quickly identifies what he had already perceived. "Toxic Dart."
The morning after the second failed assassination attempt on Senator Amidala, the Jedi Council resolve for Padmé to be escorted by Anakin to her homeworld of Naboo for safety under the guises of refugees while Obi-Wan stays behind to investigate on where this mysterious bounty hunter went and who he is working for. Anakin then leaves to talk with Chancellor Palpatine to convince her to go with her out of the capitol.
"I will talk with her." Palpatine says to his young friend. "Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure of that."
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Anakin says with respect.
"And so, they've finally given you an assignment. Your patience has payed off."
"Your guidance more than my patience."
"You don't need guidance, Anakin." The Chancellor says as they walk towards the exit of the room. "In time, you will learn to trust your feelings, then you will be invincible. I have said it many times: You are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met."
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Anakin says with gratitude.
"I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi, Anakin. Even more powerful than Master Yoda."
Later at Padmés apartment, she and Anakin begin to pack for the journey to Naboo.
"I do not like this idea of hiding." Padmé says with slight resentment.
"Don't worry," Anakin responds "Now that the council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter."
"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided."
"Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us." Anakin says profoundly while to an extent, shocking the Naboo senator.
"Anakin.. You've grown up."
"Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it." The young Padawan says while taking a view of the city outside.
"Don't get me wrong. Obi-Wan is a great mentor." He says while levitating a small metal ball with the Force. "As wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu"
The ball then stops floating in the air and lands softly in his palm.
"I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. In some ways.. a lot of ways.. I'm really ahead of him."
Riyo notices the change in his voice turn from one of respect to frustration and anger.
"I'm ready for the Trials, but he feels that I'm too unpredictable, he won't let me move on."
That sounds frustrating." Padmé consoles.
"It's worse. He's overly critical. He never listens. He.. he doesn't understand. It's not fair!"
"All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow." Padmé says calmly to him.
"I know." Anakin says beginning to calm down.
"Anakin," Padmé begins to say as she stands next to him. "Try not to grow up too fast."
"But I am grown up. You said it yourself." Anakin says while giving Padmé a passionate yet uncomfortable look.
"Please don't look at me like that." She says softly.
"Why not?" Anakin asks.
"It makes me feel uncomfortable" She answers walking of to pack up more things.
"Sorry Milady." The Padawan replies with slight nervousness on his face.
After Anakin and Padmé board the shuttle for Naboo, Obi-Wan conducts an extensive investigation to determine the origin of the toxic dart his apprentice and he found in order to track down the escaped bounty hunter. After receiving a generous tip from his old friend, Dexter Jettster, he was finally able to determine the planet the dart was created on: Kamino, a world known by the few that knew of it's existance to have high quality cloning facilities. But when looking into the coordinates given to him to locate the planet, the Jedi Archives showed no data on the world existed, leaving the Jedi Knight bewildered and confused.
Meanwhile, on board the refugee shuttle to Naboo, Anakin and Padmé sit down at a table located in the mess hall of the ship for lunch.
"Must be difficult, having sworn your life to the Jedi," Padmé begins to say to her friend. "Not being able to visit the places you like or do the things you like."
"Or be with the people that I love." Anakin adds in.
"Are you allowed to love?" Padmé inquires. "I thought that was forbidden for a Jedi."
"Attachment is forbidden, Possession is forbidden, Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life. So you might say that we are encouraged to love."
"You've changed so much."
"Ah, you haven't changed a bit." Anakin responds. "You're exactly the way I remember you in my dreams."
(Not quite sure what part of his mind thought it would be appropriate to say that, but whatever.)
A red Delta-7B Aethersprite-class light interceptor carrying Obi-Wan, whom after taking some advice from Master Yoda, comes out of hyperspace and begins to descend towards a blue colored world covered with many cloud formations.
"There it is, R4" Obi-Wan says to his droid partner. "Right where it should be. Our missing planet, Kamino."
The red painted astromech whistles and beeps in response.
As they continue, they spot an intricate looking city atop a restless and raging ocean as rain continues to pour down relentlessly. The starfighter touches down on a small landing pad near a door to the facility. The soon soaked Jedi exists his craft and heads inside soon to be greeted by a long necked, white eyed female which he presumed was a Kaminoan.
"Master Jedi," the female known as Taun We says with respect. "The Prime Minister is expecting you."
"I'm expected?" He asks with surprise.
"Of course. He is anxious to meet you. After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren't coming. Now please, this way."
The two then soon step through a white automatic door to meet another Kaminoan, but more regally dressed and with gray eyes, rising from his chair to meet his guests.
"May I present Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino." Taun We says as both the Prime Minister and Obi-Wan exchange bows. "And this is Master Jedi.."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi." He finishes.
"I trust you are going to enjoy your stay." Lama says courteously to his Jedi guest.
A white chair then drops down from the ceiling.
"Please" He says with his hand extended towards the chair as Obi-Wan excepts his offer.
"And now to business." Lama says returning to his seat. "You will be delighted to hear that we are on schedule. Two hundred thousand units are ready with a million more well on the way."
"That's.. good news." The Jedi says a little confused not knowing what he meant.
"Please tell your Master, Sifo-Dyas, that his order will be met on time."
"I'm sorry, it's Master..."
"Hmm. Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas is still a leading member of the Jedi Council, is he not?" Lama asks him.
"Master Sifo-Dyas was killed almost ten years ago." Kenobi answers.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." The Prime Minister says with sorrow in his voice. "But I'm sure he would have been proud of the army we've built for him"
This one statement catches Obi-Wan completely off guard.
"The army?"
"Yes, a clone army, and I must say, one of the finest we've ever created."
"Tell me Prime Minister, when my master first contacted you about the army, did.. did he say who it was for?"
"Of course he did. This army is for the Republic."
Obi-Wan's eyebrows then widen with surprise. How could an army being created for the Republic have gone undetected for this long? Could it have been in response to the rise of the Separatists?
"But you must be anxious to inspect the units for yourself." Lama says to the young Jedi.
"That's why I'm here." He answers half-halfheartedly.
The two of them then rise from their seats followed closely by Taun We to do just that.
After soon arriving on Naboo, Padmé and Anakin choose to head to a personal retreat residing in the Lake Country for both comfort and safety. The Senator and Padawan walk down a stone walkway overlooking a beautiful, shining lake glistening with the rays of the sun.
"We used to calm here for school retreat." Padmé says while walking towards a nearby balcony with a view of a small island in the distance.
"We would swim to that island every day. I love the water. We used to lie out on the sand and let the sun dry us, and try to guess the names of the birds singing."
"I don't like sand." Anakin says plainly, obviously reminded of his life on Tatooine. "It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere." (I hear you, Anakin. Walking down the beach in my sandals is a pain in the ass for me every time.)
"Not like here. Here, everything is soft... and smooth."
Then, in a nervous move, he gently strokes his hand down her bare shoulder as both of them look into each others eyes with passion and desire. They both begin to near each others faces slowly until they lose control of themselves and begin to kiss passionately, letting all their worries fade away.
"No" Padmé says quickly as she breaks it off while gasping with worry. "I shouldn't have done that."
"I'm sorry." Anakin says with slight shame towards what he allowed to happen, feeling grateful that no one was around to have seen it.
Thousands upon thousands of cloning chambers with embryo like lifeforms inside of them appear on floating platforms as Obi-Wan, Lama Su and Taun We walk down an enclosed hallway out looking the immensely large cloning facility.
"Very impressive." Obi-Wan says.
"I'd hoped you would be pleased." Lama says with gratitude. "Clones can think creatively. You will find that they are immensely superior to droids."
"We take great pride in our combat education and training programs. This group was created about five years ago." He says looking towards a group of clones each working on some sort of training simulation.
"You mentioned growth acceleration." Obi-Wan inquires.
"Oh, yes, it's essential." The Prime Minister responds. "Otherwise, a mature clone would take a lifetime to grow. Now we can do it in half the time."
"I see."
The picture then turns to one of dozens of mature male clones each bearing the same face and red uniform eating at a mess hall of some kind.
"They are totally obedient, taking any order without question." Lama adds. "We modified their genetic structure to make them less independent than the original host"
"And who was the original host?" Obi-Wan asks.
"A bounty hunter called Jango Fett."
Bounty Hunter was the one keyword that had the young Jedi intrigued more than anything else.
"And where is this bounty hunter now?" He asks.
"Oh, we keep him here. Apart from his pay, which is considerable, Fett demanded only one thing: an unaltered clone for himself. Curious, isn't it?"
"Unaltered?" Obi-Wan asks.
"Pure genetic replication." Lama replies. "No tampering with the structure to make it more docile and no growth acceleration."
"I should very much like to meet this Jango Fett." Obi-Wan requests.
"I would be very happy to arrange it for you." Taun We replies happily.
The three then head out to a balcony out looking the facility where thousands of troopers march in many directions, one group stopping and turning about face in perfect rhythm and symmetry.
"Magnificent, aren't they?" Lama says with pride.
(Quick note: Gonna try and do a couple more scenes and then get back to Riyo and Adam, sorry if it's taking too long.)
Obi-Wan and Taun We stop by a white colored door that opens to reveal a ten year old boy with brownish black curly hair and brown who looked very similar to the many clones Obi-Wan saw.
"Boba" Taun addresses the boy. "Is your father here?"
"Yep." Boba replies.
"May we see him?"
"Sure" He answers while giving Obi-Wan a suspicious looking glace.
"Dad, Taun We's here." He calls out to his father.
After stepping into the medium sized housing complex, (Not sure how big there room really is) a man with a face identical to the clones wearing a sky blue tunic and navy blue pants steps out to greet them.
"Jango, welcome back." Taun says to her business associate. "Was your trip productive?"
"Fairly"
"This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's come to check on our progress."
"Your clones are very impressive. You must be very proud." Obi-Wan complements to the bounty hunter.
"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe." Jango calmly responds.
"Ever made your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" Obi-Wan then asks as if interrogating him.
"Once or twice."
"Recently?"
Boba's eyes shift nervously toward his father upon hearing this.
"Possibly." Jango responds.
"Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas."
Jango then moves closer towards his son and clearly speaks to him in Mando'a "Uh, Boba, rood eht so-heek"
Boba listens to his command as Jango continues his conversation with Obi-Wan.
"Master who?"
"Sifo-Dyas." Kenobi continues to say as Boba walks over to close what appears to be a closet containing a blue painted Mandalorian helmet and combat armor.
"Is he not the Jedi who hired you for this job?"
"Never heard of him" Jango answers.
"Really?" Obi-Wan says a bit surprised.
"I was recruited by a man called Tyranus on one of the moons of Bogden."
"Curious."
"Do you like your army?" Jango asks changing the subject.
"I look forward to seeing them in action." Kenobi responds.
"They'll do their job well, I guarantee it."
"Thank you for your time, Jango." Obi-Wan says courteously.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi." Jango says back.
As soon as the Jedi and female Kaminoan leave the two Fetts alone, Jango's eyes begin to display a look of nervousness and concern.
"What is it, dad?" Boba asks concerned.
"Pack your things, we're leaving." Jango answers.
In the dark late evening on Naboo, Anakin and Padmé sit by a roaring fireplace in one of the lounges of the lake retreat, where Anakin chooses to finally reveal what he'd wanted to say to the Senator since the day he first met her.
"From the moment I met you, all those years ago," Anakin begins to say quietly. "Not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm with you again... I'm in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you... I can't breathe. I'm haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me, my heart is beating.. hoping that that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul... tormenting me. What can I do.. I will do anything that you ask"
Padmé is left utterly speechless by this long and heartfelt confession.
"If you are suffering as much as I am, please tell me." Anakin says on the verge of tears.
"I can't.. we can't. It's.. just not possible."
"Anything is possible, Padmé. Listen to me."
"No, you listen." She says in a sort of serious tone as she rises from her seat and paces around a bit. "We live in a real world; come back to it. You're studding to become a Jedi, I'm.. I'm a senator. If you follow your thoughts through to conclusion, it'll take us to a place we cannot go, regardless of the way we feel about each other."
"Then you do feel something." Anakin says in response.
"I will not let you give up your future for me." Padmé says with concern to her friend.
"You're asking me to be rational." Anakin says as he too rises to meet Padmé face to face. "That is something I know I cannot do. Believe me, I wish that I could just wish away my feelings... but I can't"
"I will not give in to this." Padmé says firmly as Anakin walks a little away from her.
"We'll you know..." He begins to say. "It wouldn't have to be that way. We could keep it a secret."
"We'd be living a lie," The Senator says to him. "One we couldn't keep even if we wanted to. I couldn't do that. Could you, Anakin? Could you live like that?"
The young Padawan remains in silent thought for a few seconds, pondering the possibility of being in a secret and forbidden marriage.
"No, you're right." He says to her. "It would destroy us."
Back on Kamino, Taun We escorts Obi-Wan back towards the entrance he came through.
"Tell your council that the first battalions are ready." She requests of the Jedi. "And remind them, If they need more troops, it will take more time to grow them."
"I won't forget, and thank you."
"Thank you."
Obi-Wan then heads out the door back into the stormy and dark weather outside and walks up to his droid companion waiting for him at his ship.
"R4!" He shouts to the astromech over the loud weather as she beeps in response.
"Scramble code five to Coruscant, care of the old folks' home!"
The droid complies as a small satellite dish like devices appears from a compartment of the ship and begins to send the transmission.
At the Jedi Temple (AKA the care of the old folk's home) Masters Yoda and Windu watch as a stand-like holoprojecter relays and image of Obi-Wan before them.
"I have successfully made contact with the Prime Minister of Kamino." He shouts over the noise of the storm around him. "There are using a bounty hunter named Jango Fett to create a clone army. I have a strong feeling that this bounty hunter is the assassin we're looking for."
"Do you think that these cloners are involved in the plot to assassinate Senator Amidala?" Master Windu asks.
"No, Master. There appears to be no motive."
"Do not assume anything, Obi-Wan." Yoda cautions. "Clear your mind must be if you are to discover the real villains behind this plot."
"Yes, Master. They say Master Sifo-Dyas placed an order for a clone army at the request of the Senate almost ten years ago."
The two Jedi Masters are left surprised by this discovery.
"I was under the impression he was killed before that." Obi-Wan continues. "Did the council ever authorize the creation of a clone army?"
"No" Master Windu answers. "Whoever placed that order did not have the authorization of the Jedi Council."
"Bring him here." Yoda orders. "Question him we will."
"Yes Master. I will report back when I have him"
Obi-Wan's hologram then disappears from sight, leaving the two Jedi Masters bewildered at the amount of information they received.
"Blind we are if creation of this clone army we could not see." Yoda says with concern.
Master Windu sighs in worry before coming to a conclusion. "I think it is time we informed the Senate that our ability to use the Force has diminished."
"Only the Dark Lord of the Sith knows of our weakness." Yoda says in response. "If informed the Senate is, multiply our adversaries will."
In the dead of night on Naboo, Anakin tosses and turns in his sleep from apparently horrible and tormenting nightmares.
"No...no.. mom, no" He says in his sleep.
"Don't, no"
His eyes then open wide with him breathing heavily and covered in sweat.
The morning after, Padmé walks out onto the balcony finding the young Padawan standing alone facing the watery shores beyond while in a meditative-like state. She then proceeds to go back inside when Anakin says "Don't go."
"I don't want to disturb you."
"Your presence is soothing." He calms answers.
"You had another nightmare last night."
"Jedi don't have nightmares." He responds without opening an eye.
"I heard you." She then says causing him to slowly opens his eyes with nervousness.
"I saw my mother." He says as he turns to face the love of his life. "She is suffering, Padmé. I saw her as clearly as I see you now."
He then turns away from her with a deep sigh before saying "She is in pain."
He turns back to one final time before saying what he knew he had to do.
"I know I'm disobeying my mandate to protect you, Senator,... but I have to go. I have to help her."
"I'll go with you." Padmé says also feeling concern for her friend's mother.
"I'm sorry, I don't have a choice." Anakin says sadly.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan attempts to apprehend the fleeing Mandalorian bounty hunter as he and his son try to board their ship to escape. He fails in subduing the mercenary, but manages to plant a homing device on the ships hull moments before it descends into the sky and off the planet.
After returning to the sand covered world that he once called home, Anakin and Padmé locate his old slave owner, Watto, and learn that he sold his mother may years ago to a man called Lars, but also learned that he had soon afterwords freed her and married her. They then proceed to find their current residence in hopes of finding them.
After tracking Jango's ship to the outer rim of Geonosis, Obi-Wan is caught in a death defying dogfight through the planets deadly asteroid rings. After managing to fake his death, he continues to pursue the bounty hunter into the planet's surface while discovering a large mass of Trade Federation starships like the ones he had encountered ten years ago on Naboo. He lands his starfighter on an isolated cliff area and proceeds to find out just what dark secrets the planet was harboring.
Anakin and Padme exit the Nubian Yacht used to take them to Tatooine to find a small isolated moisture farm, the place they had discovered the be the current dwelling of the Lars family. While approaching the humble structure, they come across an old friend: Anakin's protocol droid, C-3P0, now plated with gray yet modest plating working on a nearby moisture vaporator who then turns to meet the two visitors.
"Oh, hello. How might I be of service? I am C-..."
"3P0?" Anakin finishes recognizing his old droid companion that he rebuilt when he was young.
Taking only a few seconds, 3P0 then realizes who this young man was.
"The maker!" He says with joy. "Oh, Master Ani. I knew you would return! I knew it! And Miss Padmé. Oh, my."
"Hello 3P0" She says to her droid friend.
"Bless my circuits! I'm so pleased to see you both."
"I've come to see my mother." Anakin says to him.
"Oh," 3P0 says with surprise and concern. "I think perhaps we better go indoors."
Later inside the Lars homestead, 3P0 leads the Jed Padawan and Senator towards a young man a little older than himself along side a girl around the same age.
"Master Owen," 3P0 says addressing the man. "Might I present two most important visitors."
"I'm Anakin Skywalker." Anakin says introducing himself.
"Owen Lars." The man says in return. "This is my girlfriend, Beru."
"Hello." The young lady says politely.
"I'm Padmé" The Senator says the last to be introduced.
"I guess I'm your stepbrother. I had a feeling you might show up some day."
"Is my mother here?" Anakin asks.
"No, she's not." A unknown voice answers him.
He turns to face a middle aged bearded man missing one leg and riding around in a power chair.
"Cliegg Lars," He introduces as he shakes his stepson's hand. "Shmi is my wife. We should go inside. We have a lot to talk about."
"It was just before dawn. They came out of nowhere." Cliegg says off screen as Beru pours some brown beverage-like liquid into five cups on a tray and brings them out to the others at the dinning table where they talked.
"A hunting party of Tusken Raiders. Your mother had gone out early like she always did to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporators. From the tracks, she was about halfway home... when they took her."
Cliegg sighs in grief having to tell his beloved wife's only biological son that she very well may not be with them anymore.
"Those Tuskens walk like men, but they're vicious, mindless monsters. Thirty of us went after her. Four of us came back."
Riyo meanwhile can plainly see the visible stress and pain on Anakin's face while Cliegg continues talking.
"I'd be out there with," Cliegg goes on. "But after I lost my leg, I just couldn't ride anymore, until I heal. I don't want to give up on her, but she's been gone a month. There's little hope she's lasted this long."
Anakin then rises from his seat at the table to leave.
"Where are you going?" Owen asks.
"To find my mother." The Padawan answers with a serious tone.
"Your mothers dead, son." Cliegg says grimly to his stepson. "Accept it."
But as painful as it was to hear, Anakin refused to believe that his mother, whom had taken care of him almost all his life, whom sacrificed so much for him was gone.
A few hours later during the hours of twilight, Padmé steps outside to see the Jedi Padawan staring intently at the twin suns in the distant sky. Only their shadows are seen against the side of the dwelling when Anakin says to her. "You're gonna have to stay here. These are good people, Padmé. You'll be safe."
"Anakin." Padmé manages to say before embracing him in a passionate hug.
"I won't be long." He says heading towards a speeder bike parked a few feet away which Owen had lent to him for the journey. He boards the small transport and soon speeds away into the endless sea of sand.
Back on the rugged cliffs of Geonosis, Obi-Wan's search for Jango Fett leads him to a small cave opening below a large hive like stone structure. Making his way inside, he looks up to the sight of rows of stone hallways and corridors as far as the eye can see. Hearing the sound of machinery clanking nearby, he heads over towards the edge of a nearby balcony. When he looks down, he receives a shock towards that sight below: a large and restless factory containing rows upon rows of conveyor belts with battle droids of all kinds being assembled. Obi-Wan now knew the situation taking place on this planet was far more serious than ever before. He continues his exploration through the facility just as a group of men of every shape, size and race walk down a hallway nearby with a native Geonosian flying down to join them.
"We must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." An elderly and familiar voice says.
"What about the senator from Naboo?" Another being with a Neimoidian accent asks the man. "Is she dead yet?"
Obi-Wan is then able to clearly see the former Jedi Master Count Dooku and Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray along with many others walk down the hall all while shock and horror befalls his face.
"I'm not signing your treaty until I have her head on my desk." (Um... eww?)
"I am a man of my word, Viceroy" The Count assures.
"With these new battle droids we've built for you, you'll have the finest army the galaxy." A robotic suited Skakoan named Wat Tambor speaks in a mechanically altered voice.
As soon as the coast is clear, Obi-Wan manages to make his way up a flight of stairs where at the end of which lied a stone, glassless opening. Carefully peeking over it while making sure not to get caught, he sees the group of alien representatives, now identified as the leaders of the worlds and organizations that had left the Republic to join the Separatists headed by Count Dooku all sitting at a round table for some sort of meeting.
"As I explained to you earlier," The Count begins to say to the others. "I am quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause with your support, gentlemen."
{What you are proposing could be construed as treason.} The female Gossam Shu Mai says in her native language.
"The Techno Union army.." Wat Tambor says followed by a series of electrical noises and warbling coming from his suit. "...is at your disposal, Count"
"The Banking Clan will sign your treaty." The Muun male San Hill says to the former Jedi.
"Good, very good." Dooku says in a pleased manner. "Our friends from the Trade Federation have pledged their support, and when their battle droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than any in the galaxy."
Obi-Wan listens on with horror and fear towards what was taking place. The Separatists were preparing to go war with the Republic, for the first time in thousands of years, and no one but him knew about it.
"The Jedi will be overwhelmed." Dooku says with confidence "The Republic will agree to any demands we make."
Late in the evening on Tatooine, Anakin carefully sneaks atop a cliff to spot a small village like camp with orange colored lights flickering in the distance. He then jumps straight off the cliff and manages to land safely on the ground with no injuries whatsoever. Carefully sneaking through the camp behind the tents, he senses his mother's Force signature coming from inside one nearby. He quickly gets to work on using his lightsaber to cut a hole through the back of the tent without alerting any of the sentries outside. He kicks the severed part of the tent through and steps inside to see what he had hoped to find: his mother, though badly injured with cut along her face and forehead and bruises covering her hands and back. Without wasting a moment, He quickly unties her bonds as she moans in pain.
"Mom? Mom?" Anakin says with worry in his voice.
"Ani? Is that you?" She weakly says utterly shocked to see the son she said goodbye to years ago standing before her as a young man.
"I'm here, Mom You're safe." The Jedi Padawan says thankful that she was still alive.
"Oh, you look so handsome." She says with a smile as her hand stokes his face. "My son, oh, my grown-up son. I'm so proud of you, Ani."
"I missed you." He says to her.
"Now I am complete." She says quietly while giving her son an urgent sense of fear. "I love y.."
"She's... not going to make it." Riyo thinks seeing her already weakened life force draining away at a quick rate.
"Stay with me, Mom." Anakin says while chocking back tears. "Everything..."
"I.. I love.." Shmi is ultimately unable to finish her last words as she groans quietly with her head falling limp over her shoulders.
Anakin all the while refuse to believe what had just happened. This was not happening, His mother, the one woman who brought him into this world, who cared and nurtured him like no other... was dead. Trying to keep himself together, he slowly raises his hand to her forehead to sense for even the smallest amount of life in her... he found none. Then, his expression slowly changes from one of grief and sorrow, to one of rage, hate and furious anger as his bottom lip begins to quiver.
The peaceful scenery outside in the camp turns tense as all heads of nearby Tuskens turn to the sound of a weapon activated.
Riyo gasps in horror to see Anakin mercilessly cut down the two Tusken sentries outside the tent. The women and children immediately run for shelter while a male warrior shouts a loud Tusken war cry ready to attack the invader. Anakin, letting his hate and anger fuel him, readies his saber to counter.
Riyo quickly turns her head away with her eyes closed shut right before the blade slices through the warrior's flesh with a cry of death following suit.
Back at the Jedi Temple, Yoda trembles in horror as the words of the late Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn echo in his head "Anakin! Anakin! No-o-o!" while hearing the deaths of many fallen Tuskens.
Mace Windu enters the room sitting down on a nearby chair as Yoda opens his eyes to show a troubled and sad look.
"What is it?" Mace asks his friend with concern.
"Pain, suffering, death, I fear." He responds with sadness. "Something terrible has happened. Young Skywalker is in pain. Terrible pain."
Obi-Wan carefully examines the transmitter on board his starfighter hoping to send news of his discovery to the Jedi Council as soon as possible, but due to a blaster shot fired by Jango Fett during the skirmish outside the planet's atmosphere, it is unable to provide enough power to contact Coruscant.
"The transmitter is working, but we're not receiving a return signal." Obi-Wan says with concern. "Coruscant's too far. R4, can you boost the power?"
The droid shakes its head while beeping a few times.
"We'll have to try something else."
He then comes up with a idea as he enters the cockpit of his ship.
"Maybe we can contact Anakin on Naboo. It's much closer."
The comlink on his ship flickers to life as an orbital image of Naboo appears on the screen inside.
"Anakin? Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin?"
Sadly, no response is heard.
"He's not on Naboo, R4."
R4 beeps in concern to hear these words.
"I'm going to try and widen the range. I do hope nothing's happened to him."
While Obi-Wan attempts to lock on to his Padawan's signal, A Geonosian sentry on top of a high cliff side overlooking the ship catches sight of the Jedi Knight as it's wing flutter in alertness. The image of Tatooine then appears the comlink screen as Anakin's tracking signal comes in loud and clear.
"That's Anakin's tracking signal, all right. But it's coming from Tatooine." He says confused as he exits the cockpit, "What in the blazes is he doing there? I told him to stay on Naboo."
R4 beeps and whistles in an equally baffled tone.
"He haven't got much time" The Jedi says as he prepares himself for a holotransmission "Anakin? Anakin, Do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The sound of creatures screeching in the background causes him to turn his head behind him nervously.
Back on Tatooine on board Senator Amidala's ship, R2-D2 manages to record Obi-Wan's incoming message with the small scomp link of his inserted into the computer hard drive ( Or whatever they call it.)
Outside the Lars homestead, Anakin returns on Owens speeder bike just as Owen, Padmé and the rest of the occupants make their way outside to see who had arrived. Anakin then removes from his speeder what appears to be the shape of a person wrapped in a cloth-like bag. Everyone suddenly realizes just who was inside the bag as the saddened Padawan solemnly makes his way inside the dwelling without a single word.
A few hour after Anakin's return, Padmé comes into the garage of the house carrying a tray with food and drink finding Anakin working on a piece of faulty machine.
"I brought you something." She says to her friend with care "Are you hungry?"
"The shifter broke." He responds referring towards what he was working on. "Life seems so much simpler when you're fixing things. I'm good at fixing things. Always was. But I couldn't-" His sentence stops abruptly as he turns toward the Senator with a truly sad and forsaken expression.
"Why'd she have to die? Why couldn't I safe her? I know I could have!"
"Sometimes there are things nobody can fix. You're not all powerful, Ani."
"Well, I should be!" Anakin says both in grief and rage. "Someday I will be. I will be the most powerful Jedi ever! I promise you. I will even learn stop people from dying."
"Anakin." Padmé begins to say with concern for her friend erratic behavior.
"It's all Obi-Wan's fault!" He then surprisingly shouts in anger. "He's jealous! He's holding me back!"
He then throws the hydrospanner in his hand at a far away wall with a loud crash following.
The very troubled Padawan then begins to sniffle quietly looking at his own hands with horror.
"What's wrong Ani?" Padmé asks with great worry for her friend.
Clearly, the death of his mother was not the only thing on his mind.
"I... I killed them. I killed them all." He says in devastation. "They're dead... every single one of them. And not just the men," He then shakes his head with tears on his face. "But the women, and the children too."
Padmé simply looks onward at her distraught friend with shock in her eyes.
"They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals!... I HATE THEM!"
Anakin, overcome by both extreme hatred, guilt and sadness, begins to lie down on the floor, with his legs curled up toward his chest as he sobs quietly at the truly horrible act he committed. Padmé, despite learning of his terrible deed, still leans down beside him in comfort, knowing that he was not the kind of hate filled monster who could just cause an atrocious act like this and feel no guilt or shame afterwords.
"To be angry is to be human." She says to her saddened friend.
"I'm a Jedi. I know I'm better than this."
The Senator places a caring arm over her friends shoulder as he continues to cry softly.
"I know wherever you are, it's become a better place." Cliegg says as he and the others gather around outside near a stone tombstone for a funeral for their lost mother, wife and friend.
"You were the most loving partner a man could ever have. Goodbye, my darling wife.. And thank you."
Anakin takes a couples steps away from the group and leans down on his knees in front of his beloved mothers grave while slowly taking a handful of sand with his right hand and grasping it in sadness and frustration.
"I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom." He says quietly. "I wasn't strong enough. But I promise, I will not fail again."
He then rises up from his position still looking on with grief.
"I miss you... so much."
Just then, the beeping of R2-D2 is heard coming from behind the group.
"R2? What are you doing here?" Padmé asks.
The small blue droid gives a response which is then translated by 3P0.
"It seems that he is carrying a message from an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Hmm. Master Ani, does that name mean anything to you?"
Back on board Padmés ship, the Jedi Padawan, Senator, and two droids investigate the message that his master had left.
"Anakin," The holographic image of Obi-Wan says to him. "My long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant."
Padmé then presses a small white button on the ships control console which transmits the message immediately before the Jedi Council, Chancellor and the Loyalist Committee all inside Palpatines office.
On Coruscant...
"I have tracked the bounty hunter, Jango Fett, to the droid foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take delivery of a droid army here, and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala."
"Like we didn't see that coming." Riyo thinks to herself sarcastically.
"The Commerce Guilds and the Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming a-" Obi-Wan stops in mid-sentence for some reason as his head turns to his left. "Wait. Wait."
He says drawing his saber to block a couple blaster shots as his image is forced out of view and replaced with one of a Droideka destroyer droid continue to fire more blasts until the message stops altogether, leaving everyone on Tatooine and Coruscant nervous and worried.
"More happening on Geonosis, I feel, than has been revealed" Yoda says to Master Windu concerned.
"I agree. Anakin..."
On Tatooine...
"We will deal with Count Dooku. The more important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs; that is your first priority."
"Understood, Master." Anakin complies as the Jedi Masters image fades away.
"They'll never get there in time to save him." Padmé voices with concern. "They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look."
She presses another white button on the console to show the shapes of two planets on a screen: One small round one representing Tatooine and another twice as large with a ring around it standing for Geonosis.
"Geonosis is less than a parsec away."
"If he's still alive." Anakin says with apathy.
"Ani, are you just gonna sit her and let him die? He's your friend, your mentor. He's-"
"He's like my father!" Anakin shouts a little finishing her thought. "But you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here!"
"He gave you strict orders to protect me, and I'm going to help Obi-Wan." She says pressing a button that brings the ships engines to life. "If you plan to protect me, you'll just have to come along."
Anakin smirks an almost amused smile as he takes a seat in the pilots chair while R2 beeps something to 3P0 as he too takes a seat.
"I'm not worried, R2. It's just I've never flown before." (Get used to it, C. There's plenty more where this comes from.)
The silver ship then begins to rise up sending clouds of sand in its wake as it blasts off into the endless blue sky from whence it came.
On Coruscant...
"The Commerce Guilds and the Corporate Alliance are preparing for war. There can be not doubt of that." Senator Organa voices with growing concern.
"Count Dooku must have made a treaty with them." Chancellor Palpatine adds.
{The debate is over.} The Gran male Ask Aak says in his native language. {Now we need that clone army.}
"Unfortunately, the debate is not over." Bail responds. "The Senate will never approve the use of clones before the Separatists attack."
"This is a crisis." The Vice Chairman Mas Amedda voices. "The Senate must vote the chancellor emergency powers. He can then approve the creation of an army."
"But what senator would have the courage to propose such a radical amendment?" Palpatine asks.
"If only... Senator Amidala were here." Mas says as Palpatine nods in agreement while both of them turn to her representative, Jar Jar Binks, who then pondered the thought of proposing the amendment in here place.
Little did the Gungan Senator know, that was just what the Chancellor had desired.
Count Dooku passes by a Geonosian sentry guarding the prison cell containing the newly captured Jedi intruder. The door automatically opens to show Obi-Wan suspended by beams of energy in midair.
"Traitor." The Jedi says in disgust towards the former Jedi Master he once looked up to.
"Oh, no, my friend." The Count says attempting to influence the young Knights mind. "This is a mistake, a terrible mistake. They have gone too far. This is madness."
"I thought you were the leader here, Dooku." Obi-Wan replies not phased by Dooku's attempts at persuasion.
"This had nothing to do with me, I assure you. I will petition immediately to have you set free."
"Well, I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work to do."
"May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis?"
"I've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?" Obi-Wan asks.
"There are no bounty hunters here that I am aware of. The Geonosians don't trust them." He replies lying.
"Well who can blame them? But he is here, I can assure you."
"It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you." His expression then turns to one of sadness and disappointment. "I wish he were still alive. I could use his help right now."
"Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you."
"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 never would have gone along with it if he had learned the truth as I have."
"The truth?" Obi-Wan asks.
"The truth."
The Count pauses for a moment before continuing. "What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith?"
"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 Sith Lord called... Darth Sidious."
Despite this surprising piece of information, Obi-Wan still remains skeptical. "I don't believe you."
"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. He told me everything. You must join me, Obi-Wan. And together, we will destroy the Sith."
Obi-Wan, however, refuses to side with the man who was leading war against the Republic. "I will never join you, Dooku."
The Count then begins to make his way towards the exit before saying one last thing to the captive Jedi. "It ma be difficult to secure your release"
At the Senate Building, Mace makes his way inside the gathering room (Or whatever it is) as Jar Jar attempts to address the Senate on the issue of the Separatists movement of war.
"It's a clear desa separatists made a pact wesa desa Federation du Trade. Senators, "dellow felagates", in response to this direct threat to the Republic, mesa propose that the Senate give immediately emergecy powers to the Supreme Chancellor."
To the Gungans surprise and delight, the other representatives roar in agreement while shouting "Palpatine! Palpatine! Palpatine!"
"Order!" Mas Amedda calls to calm them down. "We shall have order!"
Palpatine then rises from his seat to address the Senate on this proposal. "It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic."
The Senate begins to applaud to the Chancellors words.
"The power you give me, I will lay down when this crisis has abated." Little did any know, that Palpatine had no intentions of doing any such thing.
"And as my first act with this new authority, I will create a Grand Army of the Republic to counter the increasing threats of the Separatists."
"It is done, then" Master Windu says to Yoda as he green friend nods with agreement. "I will take what Jedi we have left and go to Geonosis and help Obi-Wan."
"Visit I will the cloners on Kamino and see this army they have created for the Republic."
Anakin and Padmé meanwhile land outside near the droid factory on Geonosis in an attempt to rescue Obi-Wan, which ends in a complete failure. They later are handcuffed while standing on a chariot like object as the Geonosians prepare to have them executed in the outside arena.
"Don't be afraid." Anakin says to his friend beside him.
"I'm not afraid to die." She responds. "I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life."
"What are you talking about" Anakin asks a little surprised.
"I love you."
Anakin is caught completely off guard by these three simple words.
"You love me? I thought that we had decided not to fall in love... that we would be forced to live a lie... and that it would destroy our lives."
"I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. I truly... deeply love you... and before we die, I want you know."
The two then begin to kiss passionately as the chariot carrying them heads out into the bright light of the arena where thousands of Geonosians sit in row above to watch the spectacle that was about to begin.
They are then directed towards three stone pillars, one of which they find Obi-Wan chained to.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd got my message." Obi-Wan says to his Padawan.
"I retransmitted it just as you requested, Master." Anakin says as he is guided towards of one the stone pillars. "Then we decided to come and rescue you."
"Good job." Obi-Wan says sarcastically.
Luckily for the three, before they had been finished off, Master Windu arrived in time, along with a strike force of two hundred and twelve Jedi to help fight against the newly released droid army. Unfortunately, they are pinned down by the increasing droid reinforcements and the constant loses of theirs, that is until Master Yoda joined by several thousand clone troopers arrive to even the odds. It all culminates down to one final confrontation between Dooku against Anakin and Obi-Wan. Unfortunately, the two Jedi are unable to bring down the Count with Anakin even losing his right arm in the process. Not even Master Yoda himself could stops Dooku from fleeing Geonosis in his Solar Sailer class ship.
Back on Coruscant, Count Dookus ship enters into the atmosphere undetected by Republic forces. The ship continues to fly outside the outskirts of the main cities and heads into the industrial section of the planet know as The Works. It then enters a tower like building trough an automatic door and soon softly lands inside. The Count then exits down the ramp of the ship to be greeted by a familiar person in a dark cloak.
"The Force is with us, Master Sidious." Dooku says to the man.
"Welcome home, Lord Tyranus." The Dark Lord says to his minion. "You have done well."
"I have good news for you, my Lord. The War has begun."
"Excellent. Everything is going as planned."
The sunset of Coruscant begins to illuminate the sky above the Jedi Temple as Obi-Wan, Mace and Yoda reflect on the events of the past few days.
"Do you believe what Count Dooku said about Sidious controlling the Senate?" Obi-Wan asks Mace with concern. "It doesn't feel right."
"Joined the Dark Side Dooku has." Yoda says from his chair. "Lies, deceit, creating mistrust are his ways now."
"Nevertheless," Mace then speaks up "I feel we should keep a closer eye on the Senate."
"I agree." Yoda answers.
"Where is your apprentice?" Master Windu asks Kenobi.
"On his way to Naboo, escorting Senator Amidala home." He answers. "I have to admit that without the clones, t would not have been a victory."
"Victory?" Yoda says in surprise. "Victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the Dark side has fallen... Begun, The Clone War has."
At a large shipyard on Coruscant, thousands of clone troopers begin to board hundreds of ships and cruisers as Chancellor Palpatine, along with several other Senate representatives watch in a high above balcony.
Back on Naboo, Padmé dressed in a flowing white wedding dress stands opposite of her new husband Anakin as R2 and 3P0 stand as witnesses to the occasion. The Senator then takes her husbands hands, both organic and cybernetic, and begin to kiss for the first time during their marriage, knowing whatever challenge would rise, be it the War or any other, they would face together.
The movie ends as Riyo seems to be lost in a massive amount of thought with Adam looking towards her with concern and worry.
"Are you okay?" He then asks his Pantoran friend.
"I... never knew." She says with shock.
"Knew what?"
"How much pain and sorrow Anakin went through in his life. I mean, I always pictured him to be the fearless and brave Jedi Knight that he's described as on holo reports, but now... after all this... I just can't believe it. And how he was in love with and married to Padmé all this time."
She then turns to meet her friends face. "And.. you knew, didn't you?"
Adam is silent for a few moments with a look of guilt before speaking.
"Are you going to tell anybody?" He simply asks.
"That depends, would you like me to?"
"Well, I suppose telling Ahsoka wouldn't hurt, I have a feeling that she's always suspected a close companionship between the two, but I think it's for both of their safety that nobody else knows."
"I understand." Riyo replies.
"Anything else you'd like to talk about?"
"Well there are a couple of things, firstly, about Jar Jar proposing for emergency powers to Chancellor Palpatine. He said it's what Padmé would have wanted to happen, but anyone who knows her well enough like I do would know that a full scale war would be the last thing that Padmé would desire."
"Which means..." Adam says trying for her to figure it out.
"Which means Palpatine manipulated him into giving the proposal, he wanted the War to happen... but why?"
Adam, meanwhile, knows all too well of why.
"What else?" He asks.
"Well, don't you think it's a little suspicious that right when the Separatists are preparing for war, a clone army commissioned by the Republic that nobody knows about till now happens to show up on a planet that was erased from the Jedi Archives?"
"What are you saying?" He asks her.
"I'm saying that this all seems way too perfectly planned out just to be a coincidence. And what about what Jango Fett said about being recruited by a man called Tyranus? Darth Sidious himself just called Count Dooku by that name, which means... He was the one who ordered for the Clone Armies creation! This whole war is a trap!"
Adam 's face then turns worried with guilt and fear which Riyo can easily detect.
"Why didn't you tell me this ? This could be the piece if evidence that could help us end this war."
"Riyo... I'm sorry, it's just... I have my reasons for not telling you. You see.."
"Don't." Riyo stops him. "I understand. This has something to do with the continuity of the movies, correct?"
Adam nods in response.
"Then we'll just watch the other four, I'll understand your reasons better that way."
"So, you're not angry?"
"No, just surprised is all. I know why you didn't tell me, and I get it, but know isn't the time to keep secrets like these. Every piece of knowledge we can get is vital to saving my galaxy. And right now, the galaxy needs us more then ever."
After a few seconds , Adam nods his head with a look of determination.
"By the way, that protocol droid of Anakins seem very familiar. " Riyo says.
"He should. That's the same droid who went with you on your mission to Orto Plutonia, and the same one who helped you negotiate peace with Thi-Sen."
"Really?"
"That's the absolutely truth."
"Wow, he seems so kind and wise, if only he had the courage to back it up."
"Eh, not really in his programming, though he does have his moments. R2's usually the brave one. They're almost like polar opposites."
"No kidding." Riyo says as the two walk down the hall towards Adams room to talk some more.
Outside the house, Nick is both baffled and confused by what he heard.
"Why did they keep going on about Star Wars stuff?" He ponders in his mind. "And what the hell did they mean by "The Republic and Separatists"?"
He knew something was strange about Adams new friend, but he just couldn't figure out what. He then gets up off the ground and runs across the street and over behind the nearby building until he disappears from sight.
"No way!" Ahsoka shouts in shock towards hearing he friend Riyos news. "And they've been married all this time?"
"Yes, but what about Count Dooku and Sidious? We know the Sith are behind this entire war, we just don't know how."
"Well, unfortunately, our forces infiltrated a building in The Works a long time ago thinking Dooku and Sidious were hiding out there, but it was completely abandoned."
"That doesn't help us at all." Riyo says frustrated. "And there's something else, the way Palpatine manipulated Jar Jar to allowing the army to be created, it's almost as if knew about it before hand."
"What are you saying?" Ahsoka asks her.
"Well, I have a hunch, but it's too early to assume right now, for now, I should train to master the Force a little better with Adam while gathering more information, only then can we know what we're dealing with."
"I'll see if I can uncover more over here."
"Alright, but be careful who you talk to, and no matter what, DO NOT let Palpatine of Dooku know what we're up too. There's no telling what could happen if they do."
"Understood, Ahsoka out."
The Togruta Padawan clicks off the holoprojecter and heads out of the room, unaware that a small insect like droid had been listening in the entire time.
Later on at night, Count Dooku activates his holoprojecter and the image of Darth Sidious appears before him.
"What news do you bring, Lord Tyranus?" The Dark Lord asks.
"My Lord, I have made a tremendous discovery. Apparently, Senator Chuchi is far beyond the borders of the know Galaxy. My spy droid picked up a communication between her and Skywalker's Padawan."
"And..."
"Well, My Lord, it's difficult to explain but... not only has she been revealed to be a Force Adept, but she somehow discovered a previously unknown collection of information about our galaxy while living on this strange new world."
Though Dooku could not see it, Sidious' eyes widened in fear and shock upon hearing his minions words. "Just... how much knowledge has the girl learned?"
"To my knowledge, she has learned not only about some of the secrets of the origins of the Clone Army, but also my identity as Tyranus. I also have tracked the transmission of their last message towards a small blue planet several thousand parsecs north of Rattatak. She appears to be living with a local Human boy who also is Force Sensitive."
"Does she know?" Sidious asks with Dooku knowing full well what he meant.
"She.. claims to have a hunch, but she has yet to divulge what it is."
"Then perhaps it is time we payed this backwater planet a little visit. Prepare a landing squad to journey to this world, and give them strict orders to bring the Senator and this... boy... back to me alive and unharmed."
"It shall be done, My Lord."
End of Ch 7. Again, sorry this is really long, but I wanted to include enough relevant info to go with the flow of the book. And I'm sorry to those who are disappointed about not reading about the Battle of Geonosis, but the ch was getting way too long and I didnt want to make it worse. For those of you wondering, the time at this point in the book is now October 11, 2010. I was trying to have the story go along with my Senior year at high school, except now I'm graduated. I'll still keep it going that way though. Next Ch, the barriers between Adams galaxay and Riyos are officially broken as a squad of CIS battle droids invades Earth, but help is on the way from a certain freind of theirs, will they succeed in repelling the droid forces? Read on to find out. JediAlexColbent over and out!
