Chapter 8
Anakin woke with a splitting head ache, stars exploding before his eyes. He sat bolt upright, ignoring the spinning world, his memories of the battle rushing back. "Padmé!"
"She's gone, Anakin."
Anakin turned his head in the direction of Obi-Wan's even tone. Obi-Wan was close, almost obscenely close, in the small cramped cockpit, the ceiling so low he'd almost struck his head on it. Where were they? "Gone?" He echoed the word, not quite believing his ears.
"Take prisoner, if you like."
Anakin fought the panic that came with the revelation, panic turning swiftly to anger. "You let them take her!" His accusation was accompanied with narrowing eyes.
"I had no choice, Anakin."
Obi-Wan's calm reply, the serenity in his eyes, only served to infuriate Anakin more. "You had no right! We could have saved her, we could have-"
"Fallen to the dark side."
Anakin's mouth snapped shut at the soft accusation. He struggled for control. Struggled and won, but his hold was tenuous at best. "I didn't."
"Not yet you haven't." Obi-Wan disappointment was clear in his voice. "I trained you better than that, Anakin."
"You saw what they were doing, the clones tried to kill us! They tried to take Padmé, I couldn't... I..." he stuttered and fell silent, his anger finally draining away to be replaced by remorse. "I could have killed him. I wanted to kill him."
"You almost did." Obi-Wan placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Our clones weren't the only ones who turned on us."
Anakin's eyes widened, horrified by a sudden revelation. "The Chancellor."
"They're not after the Chancellor, they're after us, Anakin."
"I know, I-"
"The council confronted the Chancellor, demanding to know the whereabouts of his Master. Here..." He paused and extended a datapad, "read this."
Anakin took the datapad numbly and began to read through the hasty report. Master Yoda had compiled the report, he noted numbly, and reported the death of six Masters. "The Chancellor is the Sith Lord."
"I'm afraid so." Obi-Wan squeezed his friend's shoulder. "It explains why he would let the galaxy tear itself apart."
"What purpose does it serve to have the clones turn on the Jedi?"
"I don't know, Anakin." Obi-Wan fell silent as sound from the encrypted communications line brought his head about. "One moment."
Anakin watched, feeling bereft of his anchor, as Obi-Wan spoke with Senator Organa of Alderaan. "All of the clones you say?"
"That's correct, Master Kenobi. The Temple is under siege, but we've been able to get two small transports down to the surface. Most of the younglings were evacuated first, but in the chaos there's no way of knowing if we got them all."
"And the other Masters?"
"We've heard nothing, Master Kenobi." Bail's face was worn. "Send me your coordinates; we'll come pick you up."
Obi-Wan punched their coordinates into the link. "Sent. We're in an escape pod from the Nightbringer."
"Is Senator Amidala with you?"
"I'm afraid she's been taken captive. We'll explain once we're on board. Kenobi out." The transmission faded and Obi-Wan turned his head to regard Anakin's pained expression. "We can only hope some of the older Jedi escaped the Temple."
"My fault." Anakin's hands balled into fists. "This is all my fault!"
"None of this is your fault. You have to pull yourself together, Anakin."
"She'd be safe if it wasn't for me."
Obi-Wan sighed. "We've all been betrayed, Anakin. Nobody is safe; nobody ever was safe, with the position of Chancellor being held by a Sith Lord. Grievous must be working for him."
Anakin's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with intent, his expression suddenly peaceful. "We have to go back to Coruscant."
"Didn't you hear Senator Organa? The temple is under siege!"
"Not to the temple; to the senate hall."
"You don't honestly think you can face a Sith lord and win in your condition, do you?"
"I don't intend to fight him, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan stared at his friend as Anakin's calm expression reflected his intent. "You are mad, my friend."
"He has my wife; I have no choice."
"You can't trade yourself for Padmé."
"Can't I?"
Obi-Wan was dumbfounded. "You are not serious."
"Deadly, Obi-Wan. But I'm going to need your help."
"I'll not help you become a Sith."
"You said it yourself - I've almost fallen. You're wrong though. I did fall; I never told you what happened when I found my mother."
"You killed the sand people." Obi-Wan's expression was serious, almost amused by the shock Anakin displayed with his soft comment. "All of them."
"How did you-"
Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest. "The dreams about the Temple slaughter aren't the only dreams I've had. It has taken me a long time to accept your actions. I do not approve, but I believe I understand. I felt similarly when I killed Darth Maul."
"You didn't give into your hatred. I have."
"Every Jedi has stumbled, Anakin, some worse than others. Your connections to Padmé and to your mother are your greatest strengths but also your most vulnerable weaknesses. The Chancellor has been close to you for many years. It would not surprise me if he intends for you to do exactly as you're planning."
"He couldn't know."
"Couldn't he? He knows you better than you sometimes know yourself, my friend. You once told me no one understands you like the Chancellor, not even I. If you are right, he will be expecting this kind of rash action."
Anakin swallowed hard. "Then what do you suggest? I let her die?"
"I suggest we speak with Senator Organa and find out the extent of Jedi losses before we make any moves. It will take a coordinated effort to bring down the Chancellor. If we do not, no place in this galaxy will be safe."
"What about Padmé?"
"I do not think he will harm her." Obi-Wan's smile was mirthless and faint. "Palpatine knows how important she is to you. I believe he may use her as a hostage to get what he wants from you. Then, and only then, will she truly be in danger."
Anakin took a deep, steadying breath. "We'll do things your way for now, Obi-Wan, but if he hurts her..."
Obi-Wan tightened his grip on Anakin's shoulder. "If he harms her, Anakin, the Republic as we know it will be cast into darkness."
Anakin shuddered at Obi-Wan's ominous words, acknowledging the grim possibility. The galaxy wouldn't be the only one.
They docked with Bail Organa's Corellian Corvette several hours later and were surprised to find Master Yoda on board. Obi-Wan greeted the other Master warmly, Anakin managing to dredge up a polite greeting, but mostly lost in his own thoughts. His mind hadn't stopped whirling with plans and possibilities both wild and plausible for rescuing his wife. A part of him didn't want to admit that Obi-Wan was right.
Mace Windu joined them shortly thereafter, having docked previously with a freighter containing a multitude of younglings. He was covered in blaster burns, his clothing sporting holes and singe marks from where he'd been struck, but his skin was almost completely unblemished underneath. Anakin could see the Master's tightly leashed emotions, the fuel for his unique fighting style, simmering in his eyes. He could see the pain of having left so many behind to be slaughtered.
Yoda's greeting to the other Master was solemn. "News you have brought, Master Windu?"
Mace took up an almost military stance. "We managed to secure all but the oldest of the younglings, Master Yoda, but many brave Knights fell in their defense. Sidious himself led the attack on the temple."
"A future we have. Mourn their passing, do not."
But even as Yoda spoke the words, Anakin could see the pain in the old Master's eyes. Mace's gaze turned on him. "What is he doing here?"
Anakin stiffened. Obi-Wan answered for him. "Anakin was with me when the clones turned on us; they still consider him a Jedi."
"Then you're in as much trouble as the rest of us." Mace's expression was grim.
"A hope we still have."
All eyes went to Yoda who'd seated himself in one of the conference chairs Bail had provided. Bail Organa was the one who voiced their disbelieving question. "Hope, Master Yoda? With the Jedi slaughtered and scattered and the senate in the hands of a Sith Lord?"
"Senator Amidala."
"She's..." Anakin cleared his throat. "She's been captured Master. I have failed."
"Failed, have you?" Yoda's question was amused. "Did not say easy this path would be, Anakin."
Anakin wondered if he'd ever get used to the little green Muppet pulling the rug out from under him. He remained silent, casting a dark look at Obi-Wan.
"He's been cast out in session, Master Yoda." Mace's tone was firm. "The ruling still stands, despite this un-"
"So rigid are you?" Yoda's mild inquiry broke through Mace's holier-than-though lecture. "Have changed, circumstances are. Weakened and scattered are we."
"He broke one of our most sacred vows!"
Yoda looked at the other Jedi Master sternly. "Changed the future has become. Lost are the Jedi, into hiding the younglings must be taken. Face, they will, a future of fear if the Chosen One we do not accept."
"The prophecy never spoke of-"
"Excuse me, Master Windu." Obi-Wan broke in evenly. "But the prophecy is very vague. There are many ways in which the Chosen one can bring balance to the Force - and not all of them follow the path of the Jedi."
Mace fell silent, glowering at Obi-Wan, Yoda, Bail and finally Anakin. Anakin met Mace's gaze squarely, carefully holding his temper in check. "I've walked the path of the Jedi, Master Windu, and seen intolerance. I've lived my life by the Jedi's rules and codes, viewing them from a different point of view than the Masters of the Council. Attachment is forbidden, but we are encouraged to be compassionate. I ask you, Master Windu, how does one show compassion or if you are not allowed to become attached?"
The look on Mace's face didn't change. "We've lived by those laws for over a thousand years and no one has ever questioned them. We live by the code to create harmony."
"That's not an answer, Master." Anakin's tone was respectful, but only just barely. "It's a skillful avoidance to the question. I ask you again. How do we show compassion, a requirement for unconditional love, if we are not allowed to become attached?"
Mace glowered at Anakin, but didn't respond.
"Wise, Skywalker has become." Yoda's observation was amused. "A point he does have."
Mace turned his back on them, looking out through the view port. Master Yoda continued. "Protected the younglings must be. Master Windu, to their care will you see?"
Mace's shoulder stiffened, turning to look at the older Master. Yoda's gaze was open, honest and showed his absolute trust in Mace. Mace nodded slowly, as if considering the options. "I will take them into hiding. It won't be easy, but we'll be ready when you call us, Master Yoda."
"Trained they must be, to aid our cause. If fail, we do, our last hope they are."
Anakin shifted uncomfortably, not being able to breathe easier until Mace left the room. He took a deep breath and then let it out, allowing himself to relax fractionally as the doors closed behind the Jedi Master. "If Master Windu is seeing to the younglings, can I assume we're going after my wife?"
"Know you where she is being held?"
Anakin smiled faintly, but it was humorless. "Padmé would have been taken somewhere they can guard her against us. Palpatine knows she's important to me but, as our marriage wasn't made public, I don't believe he knows just how much."
"Careful you must be, Anakin." Yoda cautioned. "Much darkness surrounding you, do I see. Strong Sidious will be, face him alone, you cannot."
"I'll go with him, Master." Obi-Wan offered. "The signal at the temple should be recalibrated to send a stay away message. With it broadcasting the all clear, we don't know who might walk into their trap and be killed."
Yoda pushed out of the chair, landing heavily and tapped his gimmer stick on the floor. "Strong you are, Obi-Wan, but what know you of Sith Lords?"
"They fight with their passions."
"They cheat." Anakin's interjection was quiet. "They do more than fight with their passions, they'll do anything to gain the upper hand. They'll say anything, promise anything, to get you to lose your focus. They don't care about fairness, only about winning."
Obi-Wan cast his former partner a side-long look. "Care to explain how you know that?"
"I've been friends with him for almost ten years Obi-Wan." Anakin's tone was laced with pain. "I told him things, did things, that he wanted me to because I thought he was looking out for my best interests. Looking back..." He shook his head, his eyes hardening. "All he wanted was control. Control over my actions, my thoughts and my dreams. You can't fight him; but maybe I can."
"So certain, are you?"
Anakin met the diminutive Jedi Master;s gaze squarely. "With your help, Master Yoda, yes. Palpatine is strong, far stronger than any one Jedi alone. He's proven it by hiding under our noses and escaping our notice. With nothing left to lose and the Galaxy in the palm of his hand, he no longer has to-"
The comm. line beeped, effectively cutting him off for the second time in as many days. Bail reached over, flicking the receiver. "Senator Organa."
"Senator Organa." The Rodian's image wavered a little as he half-bowed. "Your presence has been requested at an emergency session of the senate to be convened this afternoon."
"Thank you, I'll be sure to be present." Bail shut down the comm. line, turning back to the Jedi. "It would appear I'm returning to Coruscant, Master Jedi."
"With you, we will come. Distracted they will be; another opportunity get, we may not."
"If that is your wish Master Yoda."
Anakin watched as Bail and Yoda left, leaving Obi-Wan alone in the room with him. "It won't work."
"Recalibrating the signal?"
"Going after Sidious." Anakin began to pace, letting lose the frustration and anxiety that was slowly eating at him. He didn't sense anything wrong with Padmé, not yet, though her presence was weaker in the Force than another Jedi. "Sidious now controls all of the republic resources, he controls the army, the senate, the credit accounts. He controls Grievous. What can we hope to do against that?"
"We can't just leave him in that position, Anakin."
"I know that." Anakin snapped. He stopped, taking a deep breath. "I also know that he's taken Padmé. Nothing else makes sense. He knows, or at least has an idea, of how important she is to me. It's me he's after; not her."
"You can't know that."
"No?" Anakin met Obi-Wan's gaze squarely. "Then why were we having dreams about my turn to the darkside?"
Obi-Wan fell silent, regarding his young friend thoughtfully. He nodded slowly. "You've not taken the path he'd chosen for you; that much is obvious."
"So he's set a trap, one I'll see but won't be able to resist, baiting it with the one person I would willingly die for."
"So it would seem."
"You're not being helpful, Obi-Wan."
"We've reached a dangerous point, Anakin. The Jedi have been weakened immeasurably, a Sith Lord controls the senate and the future hangs in the balance. A future, need I remind you, that can go either towards great darkness or great light."
"Or balance."
"There can never be balance."
"No? Then how come the prophecy about the chosen one is all about balance? You can't have light without darkness, nor darkness without light. It's possible the Jedi were becoming too powerful, you know. So, in response, the Darkness had to become more powerful. Only, because of its nature, the darkness thrives on personal power and so that power base isn't as diluted as the Jedi's."
"You've an interesting view on things, my young friend, I only hope the Force agrees with you."
"It doesn't have to agree, Obi-Wan; it just has to accept. Something the Jedi have been avoiding for a long time."
They fell silent, both aware that their views on the matter conflicted but nothing could be said to change the view of the other. Both accepting the difference, knowing that the other drew strength from it.
Silently, Obi-Wan withdrew as Anakin's gaze turned to the viewport and the distant planet on which his wife was held captive.
I'll find you, Padmé. He promised her silently. I'll find you and free you if it's the last thing I do.
Senator Organa's shuttle landed on the designated landing pad and the Senator departed, three cloaked figures following him to the edge of the Senate hall before detaching from his group. They made their way towards the pillar of smoke rising from where the Jedi Temp had once stood.
They encountered no resistance until they reached the steps. Stopped, they were questioned by a group of clones who informed them they were intruding upon the site of a rebellion and would need to leave or risk search and seizure.
The clone had little chance to complete his spiel before a lightsaber cleaved through his chest cavity.
Blue and green whirled in the afternoon sunlight as three lightsabers spun, each deflecting blaster bolts or silencing a treacherous clone forever. They moved around the perimeter, swiftly eliminating those who might raise alarm, and dispatching the patrols who ranged in and out on the main level. It took less than half an hour to clear out the stationed units and gain unimpeded entrance to the temple.
What they found was enough to shock each into a numb silence.
Bodies littered the hallways, the corpses of the brave Jedi who'd fallen littered the walkways. Younglings and apprentices, barely skilled enough to wield a lightsaber, were mixed in with Jedi who'd long been Knights and Masters. The carnage continued, no hallway free of destruction and death, signed of pillaging and burning clear as they made their way through the once Great Library. The busts of the fallen were smashed, many obliterated beyond recognition. The archives were ransacked, many shelves of data overturned, smashed and missing.
Anakin, his thought dark, couldn't help but wonder if he'd escaped one dark destiny only to flirt with another.
Their journey took them through to the security center and finally the communications room. Obi-Wan enlisted Anakin's help in recalibrating the signal, working swiftly between the two of them as Yoda kept watch. It took only minutes for the team to change the all clear and add an encrypted message indicating all Jedi were to flee and go into hiding until called upon. No signal was given as to when or what that could be - each would simply have to trust the Force.
Their main task completed, the trio moved beyond the temple once more and turned back to the Senate hall. They spoke little, using hand gestures to communicate when they felt the need; the destruction at the temple had left them each with a sick feeling.
They moved swiftly, aware that the emergency session of the senate would take very little time, though with Padmé having announced her resignation, her presence wouldn't be missed or questioned. Anakin could feel her presence; strong, vibrant and completely incensed. His lips twisted into a humorless smile; he didn't pity her captors.
The trio split as they reached the senate hall. Anakin headed for the Chancellor's private offices, going to await the man's return as per their plan. Obi-Wan and Yoda's whereabouts were unknown to him. He simply had to trust in them; he was the bait for a very dangerous trap. A trap within a trap, something devious to try and ensnare a Sith Lord. Something so obvious, he doubted the man would even consider it a possibility.
In fact, he counted on it.
Familiar scents and sounds engulfed him as he trod through deserted hallways, traveling the side corridors to avoid detection. Padmé's presence was closer now, more insistent, and he had to force himself to focus on his mission. Yes, he had to free her, but he couldn't just free her. If he did, the Sith would still be in power and the galaxy would continue to burn like it had in his dream.
No, he had to both rescue his wife and eliminate the threat. Somehow, there had to be a way to do both. He focused firmly on that thought as he slipped into the main hallway leading to the Chancellor's office.
Here he met his first resistance.
Using the Force, he brought the heads of the two clone troopers guarding the one end together with a dull clunk, using enough force to render them unconscious. The sound caused the two near him to turn, and he reached out to them, grabbing each by the helmet and did the same, sending them to the ground with a quick, violent motion of his wrists.
Four down, two to go.
He moved on, silently sticking to the shadows as he neared the main door of the Chancellor's office. He paused, taking a deep breath and letting it out. He took a minute, sending reassurances to Padmé he wasn't certain he'd feel, but felt better for trying. Her senses calmed and for a brief moment, he could almost feel her sending him reassurances.
He smiled, taking several steps and bursting into the Chancellor's chamber, his lightsaber igniting and flashing first left and then right, taking the body guards down with swift movements. He rolled, coming up in the center of the room, his lightsaber at the ready.
The main chair was gone, having been extended up into the Senate Chamber for the Chancellor to make his speeches. That was expected. The three additional guards at the far end was not. Anakin could see them turning as the sounds brought them around and lunged, using the Force to propel himself forcefully towards them.
They went down within seconds and he kept moving, sensing Padmé's presence closer than ever, near the end of the hallway. Where he'd sensed the greater evil, that which would consume him, less than two week prior. He approached cautiously, the feeling absent as he peered cautiously around the corner.
Nothing. No legion of troops, no great evil; no Padmé.
He frowned, moving back towards the main room, emerging the same moment his Danger Senses flared. He spun. but it was too late, something hard and heavy slamming into his shoulders and the back of his head. The Chancellor's office faded around him, the world spinning off kilter, and darkness encroached quickly on the edge of his vision.
Anakin's last thought before losing consciousness was to reach out for Padmé and their unborn child. On the tail end of that thought, fear was sharp and sudden.
He was unconscious before it had time to shape a thought.
