Hyperspace Travel, Bound for Coruscant
Anakin pressed the call button again. He waited for several moments, but there was no answer. He tried again, but to no avail.
"Something wrong Padawan Skywalker?" Forin Ta asked.
Anakin shook his head slowly. "No Forin, nothing wrong. Just unsettling."
The Jedi Temple, Coruscant
The council had assembled in the early morning. It was the first time that they had done so for a long time.
"Obi-Wan has made contact and requests for aid. I told him that we have no-one to spare, but now that Ki-Adi Mundi and I have returned from our missions, I think we should assist there," Mace Windu said.
"Still to occur, events are. Remain in Coruscant now you will."
Mace Windu bowed his head in acknowledgment.
"Now we must talk of the matter of Obi-Wan's padawan, Anakin Skywalker." Mace Windu began. "Sending him to Corellia is a good test, and if he does not act as he should, I think it would be wise to strip him of his title."
"We are walking on a thin line. Chosen One or not, he has formidable powers, even if he doesn't know it. He cannot be allowed to fall to the dark side."
"Which is why I am pleased that Obi-Wan took Anakin as his padawan. Obi-Wan is wiser than he thinks, and seems incorruptible."
"Incorruptible he may be, but strong the force is with Skywalker."
The council room fell into a pensive silence. Ki-Adi opened his mouth to speak when the door opened and Anakin came sprinting inside.
"Masters!" he panted. "I apologise for the intrusion, but I come bearing an urgent message from my master."
"Why did you not contact us from Corellia?" Ki-Adi asked.
"All communications have been cut off. And Obi-Wan requested this to be delivered face to face."
"Okay then," Windu replied slowly. "What is the message?"
Anakin stood straight and slowed his breathing. "Count Dooku is a Sith Lord. A droid army has landed on Corellia and is attacking its people. Obi-Wan requests aid."
Several masters stood in shock. Others talked among themselves in disbelief.
"Are you sure?" Ki-Adi pressed, his face wrought with worry.
"Yes Master, that is the message." Anakin said. He watched as Ki-Adi turned to Mace Windu and shook his head in alarm. Then all of the Masters turned to face Yoda.
"No lie I sense in you young Skywalker. True, this message is."
"I request we send immediate aid to Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said abruptly. "I myself will travel to Corellia. Are there any other masters willing to help?" He glanced around the room. Ki-Adi Mundi stood up. Master Ter Crow stood also.
"It is decided. Master Mundi, Master Crow, Padawan Skywalker and I will travel to Corellia first thing tomorrow morning." Windu said.
Anakin frowned slightly. "Excuse me, Masters? What exactly is a Sith?"
Mace Windu grimaced. "I will tell you everything now."
Marshlands, Corellia
Obi-Wan crouched low, hiding behind a large stone. General Doltan was next to him, silently issuing orders to the squad of guards that had volunteered to scout the area.
"General, I'm seeing at least seven hundred battle droids here," Obi-Wan whispered. "I recommend we document this and fall back."
"Very well. This is the third outpost th'enemy has set up. If they continue this way, they'll control the planet within weeks."
"Not to worry General," Obi-Wan said confidently. "The Jedi Council will send help, I know it. When they arrive, we will strike swiftly and retake the planet."
"I on'y hope they arrive sooner than later," Doltan said, looking up at the sky as if to see streams of reinforcements. Then, speaking into his transceiver, he said, "Okay lads, time to 'ead back home." Behind him, the soldiers began to retreat, covering each other as they went.
"Another day wasted," Obi-Wan said. "I was hoping to hinder the droids progress before reinforcements, but it seems they are taking orders from someone with intelligence. Ordinarily, they would have dwindled half in number if they were left on their own. They aren't the cleverest you see."
Doltan nodded. "Indeed. What say we 'ead back to base?"
"Yes, lets."
Master and General moved backward silently, not attracting the attention of the droids. When they were a safe distance away, they stood up. Obi-Wan rubbed his back. "Urgh, I haven't stayed so long in a crouching position."
Doltan grinned. "Getting' old ey?"
Obi-Wan began to reply when he felt a presence in the force. He stopped walking and closed his eyes. Then he activated his lightsaber and brought it around. It only just blocked the silent attack.
"Count Dooku."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi. Surely you knew I was coming to pay a visit?"
"Doltan, get back to base. I'll handle this."
Dooku smirked. "Yes General, you may want to alert your troops. If you haven't noticed, your planet is being invaded."
Doltan gave Obi-Wan a sideways glance. Obi-Wan nodded slowly. Cottoning on, he turned around and began running, talking into his transceiver.
"At last we meet," Dooku said, taking a deep breath. "I've been waiting for this moment for some time now."
"What have you done?" Obi-Wan asked. "Why have you done this?"
"That isn't for you to understand Jedi. Now prepare yourself." The red lightsaber clashed against Obi-Wan's blue. They held the lock and pushed hard against the blades.
"Now you lose," Dooku hissed. He deactivated his lightsaber and quickly moved out of the way. Obi-Wan, shocked by the move lost his balance and fell down. He quickly turned his face around to see Dooku's boot smash into his face. Then everything went black.
Tactical Command Center, Corellia
"General Doltan!"
Anakin entered the Command Center, flanked by the three Jedi Masters. He quickly hailed down Doltan.
"Padawan Skywalker! Boy I'm glad to see you son."
"Glad to see you too. This is Jedi Master Windu, Master Mundi and Master Crow. They have all come to assist with your war efforts."
A sigh of relief swept over the Generals face. "That is good news." Then his face turned dark. "However I have some bad news."
"Sure, in one moment. First, where's my master?"
Doltan scratched the back of his neck nervously. "That's the thing. He is… missing."
"Missing?" Anakin asked incredulously.
"Yes. We were confronted by that man. He fought against Obi-Wan at Zark."
"Dooku," Anakin said softly.
"That's the one!" Doltan exclaimed.
"It's okay General," Windu said. "I know Dooku wouldn't kill Obi-Wan. He is a Sith, and with that comes cunning and deception."
"What was his last known location?" Anakin asked.
General Doltan seemed uneasy. "I don't recommend you going there. We were scouting the area and we saw an entire battalion of battle droids. Top that with this Dooku fella, and it's what you could call a death wish."
"General, just give me the location," Anakin pressed.
Reluctantly, Doltan handed Anakin a location beacon. "I dropped another beacon where we were confronted. If you activate this one, it will lead you to it."
"Thank you General. Masters, shall we go?"
Mace Windu looked at Anakin in surprise. The 'boy' was more mature than he had thought. "Yes Anakin, lead the way."
Marshlands, Corellia
Anakin knelt down and picked up the blinking beacon. They had arrived.
"Well, there's no sign of any droids." Master Crow pointed out.
"That means their protecting their prize," Windu said sadly. "I still can't believe Dooku betrayed the Order."
"Worse things have happened," Mundi said darkly. "It's just- wait, did you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Anakin asked.
But Master Windu and Master Crow both had their lightsabers out. Anakin felt a slight vibration under his feet.
"What is it Masters?" Anakin asked again.
"Padawan, get your blaster out. I'm regretting our decision not to let you own a lightsaber now. We could use another pair of hands," Windu said grimly.
"But why?"
"Over there."
Anakin squinted and saw a large dust cloud on the horizon. It took several moments before he could recognise what was approaching. Thousands upon thousands of battle droids marched toward them, their mechanical legs pounding on the ground.
"We need help!" Anakin cried. "There are too many of them!"
Mace Windu smiled. "The force is our ally. Human strength means nothing."
Anakin, still unaware of the true potential of the force shook his head in exasperation. Three against thousands? It's madness!
"Obviously a trap," Master Crow said, his green saber humming to life.
"Not an elaborate one. The droids are not within firing range. They are basically giving us opportunity to prepare ourselves."
"Perhaps it is all part of the plan?"
"Perhaps."
The droids were closing in fast. Several scouting droids flew overheard on hoverbikes. They swooped back, cutting off their escape path.
"Here goes nothing."
The droids opened fire on the Jedi, raining bolts of sizzling energy on the small group. Anakin fired his blaster repeatedly, making contact. But where on droid fell, three sprung up in their place. Mace Windu jumped high and landing in the middle of the marching army. Master Mundi and Master Crow protected Anakin, sending bolts back to the blasters they came from.
"There… too- many!" Anakin yelled, as two hoverbikes flew low over their heads making them duck.
You will have a new life now Anakin.
But I don't want to leave you Mum. I love you.
The blaster fell to the floor and everything turned pure white. No droids, no floor, no sky. There was no noise, which made Anakin feel uneasy. He turned around, looking for a marking, or a blemish, but there was only white.
And then everything turned black.
Traffic Lanes, Coruscant
Padme strummed her fingers against the plasteel interior. She watched aimlessly as shuttles ambled past.
"How long until we arrive pilot?"
"Only a few more minutes Senator."
Padme nodded. Traffic was getting out of hand. Over the past months, she had been forced to leave earlier and earlier to make it on time to the Senate. Sighing, she looked upward. A shuttle seemed to have lost control, and was swerving wildly. It was a miracle that it hadn't fallen into any of the dead zones around Coruscants buildings. Then, like something out of a dream, it went into a downward spin. And it was headed right for her shuttle!
"Pilot!" she cried. "Move out of the way!"
"Sorry Senator? I can't go now, we have the red signal."
"Look upward!"
The pilot glanced skyward and he immediately understood. Deactivating the belly thrusters, the airspeeder dropped, causing Padme to gasp as her stomach flew into her throat. The pilot then gave full power to rear thrusters and the airspeeder weaved through oncoming traffic.
Shuttles flew past them, honking loudly as they did so. Padme turned around to see what had happened to the flailing shuttle, and to her horror, it was flying right behind them!
"Pilot, that shuttle is-"
"Right behind us, I know." The human male gripped the controls tightly. The airspeeder rocked violently as they were struck by turret fire.
"They are firing on us!" Padme cried in alarm.
"I know that Senator!" The pilot said a little angrily. "Just let me do my job!"
Padme became silent. She felt helpless, watching the pursuing shuttle firing on them. She couldn't make out who the pilot was, but thought she saw a flash of green. Twi'lek?
The pilot aimed the shuttle downward, crossing through lanes of traffic as they picked up speed. Gravity was pulling them greedily downward, the airspeeder flying at a phenomenal rate. The shuttle behind them peeled away, obviously not willing to risk their life.
The pilot pulled hard at the controls and brought them back level. His hands were shaking and his hair drenched in sweat. He slowed the airspeeder and landed it in a public parking bay. Powering down, he let out a sigh of relief.
Padme stood and made her way to the co-pilot seat. Sitting down, she said, "I'm sorry I put you in danger. You did an excellent job, thank you."
The pilot nodded numbly. He reminded himself to quit the moment he could talk.
A/N
Review, review, review!
This week I've;
Started drawing (quite a fun hobby)
Watched most of season five of House
Pumped myself up for Friday (Clone Wars season two starting!!!) and
Began a healthy eating scheme.
Oh and one more thing: Please review :)