As the ship flew to Geonosis, the twins sat silently as it was on autopilot. Leia and Padme changed from their dresses into battle outfits, Padme into a white jumpsuit and Leia into her brown dress.
"And you made fun of me for wearing so much white." Leia teased her mother.
"Oh, shush!" Padme cried as they left and met up with the boys, Leia sitting next to Luke and Padme next to Anakin. The four sat in silence for several minutes before Luke asked,
"You okay, Anakin?" Anakin looked up and then down.
"I'll be fine, just a little worried."
"We'll save him." Leia reassured. If they could save Han from Jabba the Hutt, then they could rescue Obi-Wan from some droids.
"You sound like you've done this kind of thing before." Anakin remarked.
"We have." The twins answered in unison. Anakin looked like he would ask about it until he noticed the way Luke took his sister's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. It was obviously a slightly sore subject and he would leave it be for now. The rest of the way to the planet was silent until they were out of hyperspace and Anakin took the controls.
"See those columns of steam straight ahead?" Padme pointed, "They're exhaust vents of some kind."
"That'll do." Anakin nodded and flew the ship into a column, landing at the bottom. As the four prepared to leave, Padme said,
"Look, whatever happens out there, follow my lead. I'm not interested in getting into a war here."
"You've already lived through one." Luke said, though he was ignored by his mother and his sister.
"As a member of the Senate," Padme continued, "maybe I can find a diplomatic solution to this mess."
"Don't worry." Anakin said, "I've given up trying to argue with you."
"We gave up years ago." Luke said when his mother turned to him. It was true, as a queen and politician, Padme won every argument, even against Leia! Padme chuckled slightly before the four left the ship. As they left the ship, the family stared in wonder at the emptiness of the city. They began to walk around until in unison, Luke and Anakin said,
"Wait." Suddenly, a winged creature attacked the two Jedi. Quickly, Padme and Leia ran through a doorway. Quickly reaching them, Luke and Anakin grabbed their respective Skywalker woman just as the door behind them closed, stranding them.
"Oh come on, again!" Luke cried.
"What do you mean 'again'?" Anakin asked his son.
"We've been stranded like this before." Leia answered as the walkway retracted and both women slipped.
"Padme!" Anakin cried at the same instant Luke cried,
"Leia!" The Skywalker men jumped down, slashing at the winged creatures as they tried to reach the women on the conveyor belt.
"Well this is new!" Padme cried as the two their way across the machines. Creatures suddenly attacked the women, forcing to wrestle with them and eventually falling into a large empty vat moving across the assembly line. The two tried to find handholds but to no avail.
"I'm not sure which is better, this or what we've gone through before." Leia cried.
"This, definatly this!" Padme cried when the two were dumped onto a walkway only to be surrounded. Leia groaned.
Meanwhile, Luke and Anakin were repeatedly attacking the creatures.
"I really prefer the things I fought before!" Luke cried.
"I agree with you there!" Anakin shouted back when he tripped, his right arm becoming locked in the molding machine.
"Anakin!" Luke cried, racing towards his father. He was extremely close to the cutting machine. Anakin tried to escape, yelling at Luke,
"Get out of here!" Luke hesitated when Anakin's lightsaber was cut. He could see his father groaning when they were surrounded by Droidekas and a bounty hunter from above.
"Don't move, Jedi!" The bounty hunter cried. Luke recognized him as Jango Fett, he had the same armour as the dang Boba Fett. He sighed as they were taken prisoner.
The Skywalker family was brought into a conference room with Jango, several guards and Count Dooku himself.
"You are holding a Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Padme stated formally, "I am formally requesting you turn him over to me, now."
"He has been convicted of espionage, Senator," Dooku said, "and will be executed. In just a few hours, I believe." Dooku smiled.
"He is an officer of the Republic." Padme protested, "You can't do that."
"We don't recognize the Republic here, Senator." Dooku said, "But if Naboo were to join our Alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency."
"And if I don't join your rebellion, I assume these Jedi and this woman with me will also die?" Padme said, her voice masking the anger she had at that thought, though she would never join Dooku.
"I don't wish to make you to join our cause against your will, Senator, but you are a rational, honest representative of your people and I assume you want to do what's in their best interest. Aren't they fed up with the corruption, the bureaucrats, the hypocrisy of it all? Aren't you? Be honest, Senator." Dooku said.
"The ideals are still alive, Count," Padme said, "even if the institution is failing."
"You believe in the same ideals we believe in!" Dooku cried, "The same ideals we are striving to make prominent."
"If what you say is true, you should stay in the Republic and help Chancellor Palpatine put things right." The only person who believed those words was Anakin and they needed to stop that, fast.
"The Chancellor means well, milady, but he is incompetent. He has promised to cut the bureaucracy, but the bureaucrats are stronger than ever, no?" Dooku said, "The Republic cannot be fixed, milady." Sadly, those were the only words of Dooku's to ring true. "It is time to start over. The democratic process in the Republic is a sham, no?"
Only at the moment. Padme thought.
"A shell game played on the voters." Dooku continued, "The time will come when that cult of greed, called the Republic, will lose even pretext of democracy and freedom."
Sadly, if we don't do anything, yes. Leia thought sadly.
"I cannot believe that." Padme said, her words holding hope in changing the future. "I know of your treaties with the Trade Federation, the Commerce Guilds, and the others, Count. What is happening here is not government that has been brought out by business...it's business becoming government! I will not forsake all I have honored and worked for and betray the Republic."
At least, the Republic she believes in. Luke thought, knowing his mother does not, under any circumstances, support Palpatine.
"Then you will betray your Jedi friends?" Dooku said, "Without your cooperation I can do nothing to stop their execution."
"And what about me?" Padme asked, "Am I to be executed also?"
"I wouldn't think of such an offense. But, there are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, M'Lady. It has nothing to do with politics, I'm afraid. It's purely personal, and they have already paid great sums to have you assassinated. I'm sure they will push hard to have you included in the executions. I'm sorry but if you
are not going to cooperate, I must turn you over to the Geonosians for justice. Without your cooperation, I've done all I can for you." Dooku said.
"Take them away." Jango ordered.
The Skywalker family soon found themselves in a court room with Poggle, the archduke of Geonosis, Sun Fac, Po Nudu, Tessek, Toonbuck Toora, Shu Mai, Nute Gunray, Passel Argente, Wat Tambor, San Hill and several hundred Geonosians. The twins only knew this from their mother's brief telepathic explanation. Weirdly enough, for Anakin, he thought he heard part of Padme's explanation and the twins' thanks. But that was impossible, he couldn't have a Force bond with them, those took years to form and Padme wasn't Force sensitive at all. He shook it off as Sun spoke,
"You have been charged and found guilty of espionage."
"Do you have anything to say before your sentence is carried out?" Poggle asked.
"You are commiting an act of war, Archduke." Padme declared, "I hope you are prepared for the consequences." Poggle laughed while Dooku simply smiled.
"We build weapons, Senator...that is our business!" Poggle said, "Of course we are prepared!"
"Get on with it." Nute Gunray cried, "Carry out the sentence. I want to see her suffer."
"Your other Jedi friend is waiting for you, Senator." Poggle said, "Take them to the arena!" Guards immediately grabbed the family, seperating the parents from the children.
Leia grunted as she was pushed onto a cart. Quickly, Luke helped his shackled sister up as best as he could. They were right behind their parents, who they couldn't hear and vice versa.
"You okay?" Luke asked.
"I've been better." Leia answered.
"At least it's not like the Death Star." Luke smiled.
"True, but it might as well be." Leia muttered, "Either way, I'm close to dying and this time you're not there to barge in and rescue me." Luke chuckled at the memory.
"Like you need rescuing." He quipped. Leia laughed lightly before turning to the older Skywalker, asking,
"Do you think we're doing enough?" Luke looked down.
"I don't know." He met her eyes. "But we have to try. As long as the Jedi survive, he doesn't fall and he dies, we should be fine." Leia nodded weakly. She then hugged him slightly.
"I love you, you know that right?" Luke smiled,
"Of course I do and I love you too, Lei." Leia smiled at her nickname and looked up only to see their parents kissing.
"Look." She whispered. Luke's eyes looked up and he smiled seeing his parents kiss. They pulled away when suddenly both heard something unexpected.
"Neither of you tell anyone of this." It was Anakin's voice. The twins could feel their own confusion mix with their mother's when they were lurched forward. The Battle of Geonosis was beginning.
I'm back! So, what do you guys think? Also, slight side note, if you like the Chronicles of Narnia, please go check out my new Narnia story, Roar of the Lion. Okay, now thanks to peevesisawesome, ccp, Bryanna Jones (sadly you were incorrect but try again!), Guest, Maria C. Weasley, Maleficent-darkgoodwitch2416, Legionary Prime, dentalun, TheLastClerf, Boknord, Celestrail and bella cullen the original for reviewing/following/favoring along with all 7,186 readers! You guys are really something and I can't wait to pull off the battle and of course Dooku's battle. Also, I now know what I'm doing with Dooku thanks to Legionary Prime! I hope you guys had a happy Easter and this chapter was a pleasant surprise! Please review, only 44 more until my record is broken in most reviews for a story! You guys are awesome and if you haven't checked out the prequel, The Angel's Hope, I suggest reading it, even if I'm asking you to do this late. Anyways, hope you enjoyed. Later.