Star Wars is owned by George Lucas. I own nothing; this is my creative twist to the series

Chapter 11: The Malachor System

Once Anakin was sure that the ship was set to auto pilot while in hyperspace, Anakin then proceeded straight after the administrator with Padme, Obi Wan and Hannah quickly rushing after him "Anakin, what are you going to do?" Obi Wan asked his brother, though he already had an idea in his mind. "I'm going to find out once and for all the truth and why the ship's nav computer was re programmed" he informed them storming straight into the ship's gallery and grabbing the administrator by his robes. "Anakin, don't do it. Remember not to give in to your anger like you were taught" Obi Wan reminded him as Padme only shook her head. "He shouldn't give into his anger but let the administrator feel scared for what he did to us" she pointed out before Obi Wan went on. "But he did help us in the end. If he didn't, we all wouldn't be together right now" seeing Brendan squirm under Anakin's grip on him. "I'm sorry about betraying you. I didn't know they were planning on encasing the Jedi in carbonite" he tried to explain but Anakin only shook his head. "Why should we believe you?" he asked going on. "You saved yourself, it was either us or your city" he reminded him seeing him reply. "But wouldn't you do the same thing if you had the same choice?" he asked as Padme spoke up. "You allowed us to trust you and you betrayed our trust. No one would ever do that to anyone" she told him seeing him turning his head away from their staring piercing glares. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to but I did help you in the escape as your friend pointed out before" he pointed out as Anakin still kept his grip on him but managed to control his anger. "Then explain the tampering of the ship's nav computer from Courscant to Malachor IV?" he asked, "What's on Malachor IV? Why did they send us there?" he kept on asking as Brendan quickly replied, shaking his head. "I don't know. Look, I didn't know they were going to change the ship's hyper route. I didn't even know about Ruwee and Palo's arrival until they landed in the city" he informed them as Padme shivered slightly at the mention of their names. "I don't believe you! You're the administrator. You had to have known something!" Anakin exclaimed as Brendan was instantly reminded of a conversation he had with Lord Maul.

Flashback

"Re route the Senator's ship nav computer destination from Courscant to the Malachor System" Lord Maul ordered Brendan, who was confused as he went on, "If they do escape this city in their ship, we can follow them and easily re capture them" he informed him as Brendan had to ask, "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, "I mean I don't think they can escape. You're putting the Jedi into carbonite and the Senator with her father" he pointed out as Lord Maul only turned to him. Yellow eyes staring straight at him, "The Jedi will not go down easily and will attempt to escape and should that happen. We need to be prepared" he informed him. "Now, re route the nav ship overboard the ship or I will make the ones you love suffer" he informed him while Brendan felt a lump forming in his throat. "Understood, Lord Maul, I'll have my men carry out the order straight away" he replied as Lord Maul then left the office as Brendan slumped down into his office chair. "What have I gotten myself into?" he wondered.

"He knew that the Jedi would attempt to escape and figured if he sent the ship into a region of the galaxy that hardly anyone went, you all would be easier to capture" he finally confessed. Anakin pushed him harder into the wall, "What does that mean now?" he asked, "Who's tracking us?" he added as he replied. "He is the Mandalorian bounty hunter who Lord Maul hired to attempt to assassinate the Senator from Naboo earlier before Lord Maul came to my city after I contacted the Republic" he explained as Anakin, Obi Wan and Hannah all turned to look at Padme. "So it wasn't just a random attack on you, Padme. It was planned" Anakin pointed out looking back to Brendan. "Where is Lord Maul now?" he asked as he replied. "I don't know. He said he had business elsewhere so that his master's plan could be completed" as Anakin finally released his grip on Brendan. "Great, we're being pursued by a bounty hunter who tried to kill Padme before and is attempting to re capture all of us. Dad and Ahsoka are on their way to Cloud City, knowing we've escaped but are unaware a Sith Lord could be still there and we're heading to a potential dangerous system" he explained as they all looked around at each other. Obi Wan smiled, "Well, I say we start preparing for when we land. No doubt we should explore anything that's in that system" he suggested as Hannah agreed, "Good idea, I'll help you out Obi Wan" she told him moving with him from the gallery followed by Brendan leaving Anakin and Padme alone together, where he took into her into his arms, holding her close. "Padme, I promise you that I will not let anyone harm you anymore. I will not lose you again. You're a part of my life" he told her seeing her smile, hands on his face. "Oh Anakin, I love you and I will not leave your side" she promised him before the couple shared a sweet passionate kiss together.

As the ship descended from the ship onto the yellow sands of Tatooine, just outside Jabba the Hutt's palace, a cloaked Prince Xizor exited his ship along with his security team and assistant Guri. He was here on his own accord. He had his own plan to get to Senator Amidala and eliminate Anakin and Obi Wan at the same time. He just needed to enlist help that wouldn't be linked back to him. Reaching the large metal door, the group was startled with a small droid popped out from the door, looking at them and disappeared. Guri smiled. "Do you think they'll allow us in sir?" she asked as Xizor smirked. "If he doesn't I'll make my own way in" he replied however as he spoke those words, the huge metal door began to rise and the group proceeded into the palace. Sand trudging under their feet, they were met by two burly guards and a pale skinned tall male twilek. "Bo shuda" Xizor spoke in a clear voice, "I am Prince Xizor of Falleen. I have come to speak with the almighty Jabba" he went on as the Twilek, looked at him. He wasn't unlike anyone Jabba had done business with in the past but that didn't mean he wasn't going to refuse to help. "Follow me" he informed them moving down the darken hallway and curved stairway to where they had music softly playing and members of Jabba's court standing around chatting however stopped when they saw Xizor and his party moving before Jabba. The twilek moved up to the silver protocol droid that was standing next to the Hutt, whispering something to the droid before the droid then turned to Jabba. "Jabba, may I present Prince Xizor of Falleen, who wishes to conduct a business deal with you" they informed him as Jabba spoke, in native Huttese. "Bo shuda. Hi chuba da naga?" before the droid translated, "The almighty Jabba bids you welcome and asks what do you want?" they asked as Xizor spoke. "I have come to ask Jabba of a business deal in which he will enlist one of his best bounty hunters to kidnap a Republic Senator and then eliminate two Jedi" he explained before the droid translated the request. "Jeedai Poodoo!" Jabba roared, "Jeedai, azalus to the Hutts" before the droid translated once more, "Jabba says that the Jedi are dangerous to the hutts. Though he knows someone who can help you" he told them as Xizor went on, "Now that we are getting somewhere, tell Jabba I will match any price he wants" he informed him, "Jabba says that he will not take part in the deal for no less than 5000 credits" the droid told him as Xizor gritted his teeth together. Jabba was tough but then again, Xizor did want this deal done and going through the hutts would hopefully not directly link him to this crime. "Jabba drives a hard bargain but we have a deal" Xizor replied. "Wa wanna coe moulee rah?" he heard Jabba asked, "Jabba asks when he can expect payment?' the droid asked. The Prince smirked, "In good time, for now, how about I meet your best bounty hunter?" he asked as the great big hutt laughed, and the droid spoke. "Jabba agrees and says that his best bounty hunter is hanging out in the Mos Eisley cantina, his name is Cad Bane" as Xizor nodded turning to his assistant Guri. "Guri, I will stay here and discuss more of our business here with the hutt. I want you to go to the cantina to meet with this Cad Bane" he ordered as she nodded. "Yes, sir" she simply replied and departed from the throne room while Xizor turned his attention back to Jabba

As the ship emerged from hyperspace, Ahsoka and Qui Gon stared out at the giant gas yellow planet. Ahsoka was surprised when Qui Gon kept heading towards the planet. She turned to him, a confused look upon her face. "I thought you told Obi Wan and Anakin that we would turn back to Courscant?" she asked seeing the Jedi Master remain quiet reaching deeper into the force before he spoke. "I did, but now, I want to investigate what happened on Cloud City further. The Administrator betrayed the Republic and put the Senator of Naboo and two Jedi's lives in danger. He needs to give us answers" he explained to her as the ship entered the planet's inner atmosphere, Ahsoka gasped in awe as the city came closer into view, "It's beautiful" while Qui Gon smiled. "Yes, though once you've been here more than once, you already know it's quite different from Courscant" he informed her as she replied. "Well, this is first trip outside of the Jedi Temple and Courscant, since I was brought there" as Qui Gon brought the ship down onto an empty landing platform. Ahsoka saw that there was no people around, something that bothered her. "I have a bad feeling about this" she muttered as Qui Gon activated the landing ramp. "We must be on alert and focused at all times. Stay close to me, youngling" he informed her. Ahsoka cringed at the word, though that's what she was for now. Oneday,I'llbeapadawanshe thought to herself before following him out of the ship and quietly into the city.

"We're approaching the system now" Anakin warned them as they all moved to strap themselves in. He turned to Obi Wan. "Let's see if there's anything there" he muttered pulling on the hyper drive, the stars streaking by stopped and Anakin, Obi Wan, Padme and Hannah all saw a brownish grey planet before them. "Unbelievable, and here we thought nothing would even exist here" Anakin pointed out before going on. "It looks like there's nothing but rocks and darkness but I thought Malachor IV was destroyed years and years ago?" he asked just as a lighting bolt flashed before them coming from the planet as Obi Wan answered Anakin's question. "Malachor IV was, the Jedi Exile was one of the last people to be seen on the planet. This is what's left of Malachor IV, or maybe it's a sister planet" he suggested while Anakin looked down at the computer before him. "We'll have to be quick though, according to the computer, the gravity on Malachor IV is unstable and makes it dangerous for ships stay for long periods" he explained at the same time Hannah added "Not to mention the monstrous storm beasts that were suppose to be living amongst it's twisted wasteland" she informed them however Anakin laughed. "Come on, Hannah, that can't be true. The storm beasts would have to be dead now. They can't survive all these years" he corrected her but Padme was thinking like her friend. "Anakin, Hannah may be onto something. I mean, the planet survive all these years, there still could be lurking dangers" she told him before he placed a comforting hand on hers, "Don't worry, Padme. We'll land, we check out the place and hopefully leave before danger finds us" he assured her as Obi Wan laughed. "That's a stretch because trouble usually finds us anyway" he reminded his younger brother who only rolled his eyes before bringing the ship closer into the planet for a smooth clear landing amongst the jagged cliffs.

With Prince Xizor still conducting his "business" deal with Jabba the hutt, Xizor sent his assistant Guri to meet with this bounty hunter who could complete the capture of Senator Amidala which would lure the Jedi to Tatooine. She entered the dimly dank lit cantina swarming with humans and aliens alike. She finally spotted the bounty hunter near the back. He kept his head low, covered by a hat but Guri saw his blue skinned fingers around his drink. He certainly was armed and ready for a fight. She casually approached the bounty hunter, "You are Cad Bane, is that correct?" she asked seeing his head slowly look up at her. "You're the contact I'm to be meeting" he told her as she tilted her head. "Prince Xizor regrets that he can't meet you in person but he is still finalising his deal with the hutt" she explained, as he leaned back in his seat. "I'll catch up with him later. What can I do for you?" he asked. Guri saw that he just wanted to get straight down to business so she didn't argue and pulled out a small silver holo projector and activated it. "Prince Xizor would like for you to capture Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo and bring her to Jabba the hutt where you will wait for the Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi Jinn to attempt to rescue. When they are dead, you will then bring her to the Prince himself" she explained to him as Bane only watched the holograms changed from an image of Padme to Anakin and Obi Wan. "How much money will I receive?" he asked her as Guri smiled. "Prince Xizor will reward you greatly for the Senator's delivery to him" she told him just as he took the holo projector from her. "I'll take the job. Where do I go?" he asked her as Guri stood tall. "The Prince has been informed that she is in the Malachor system only for a short time. He suggests that you head to planet of Naboo to await her arrival there" she informed him however Bane only curiously looked over at her. "How sure is this information?" he asked her seeing her laugh. "100%. Senator Amidala will either go to Naboo on her own terms or forcefully" she explained seeing Bane move past her before he stopped. "You can tell your boss, that I will be not be pleased if I am not paid right away for this service" he finally spoke and disappeared into the crowd leaving Guri alone at the table.

Bringing the ship gently down amongst the jagged cliffs, Anakin and Obi Wan then prepared to head out to explore the ship. "Okay, we'll take the droids with us. R2 will be able to warn us when the gravity starts to change" Anakin pointed out as Obi Wan nodded turning to Captain Typho. "Captain, stay here with the ship and try and re-open the communications to see if you can contact Courscant. Administrator, stay with him and help" he explained just as Padme and Hannah re emerged dressed in skin tight white battle outfits and cloaks. "No, you're not coming with us. It's too dangerous for you Senator" Anakin spoke out straight away however Padme was not backing down, "What? Anakin Skywalker Jinn! I am not about to stand around while you're out there in the danger!" she shot back as Anakin argued back. "Obi Wan and I can handle ourselves. We can't have you out there in the danger with us" he informed her but she continued, "No, we're coming with you. It's best that we'll be safer with you. I mean, if what the Administrator said is true, they could be heading to our location right now" she reminded him seeing Anakin go quiet, "Padme's right. I can't lose her again. Not after what happened on Cloud City" he pointed out, "Hannah and Padme will be safer with us" he went on as Hannah moved across to Obi Wan, "Come on Obi Wan, you know I can handle myself and besides, I can't leave you with the responsibility of protecting Anakin on your own" she smirked as he sighed, "Alright but you stay with me. Don't leave my side" he warned her as Captain Typho moved over to Padme and Anakin, "Senator, I must ask you to re consider. We don't know what's out there and it's probably no place for you" he informed her as she only smiled, "I'll be alright Captain. I'll have the Jedi to protect me and I've been trained to handle a blaster" she reminded him. "We won't be long" she assured him before they moved down the landing ramp onto the rocky surface. They all glanced around at the terrain before them underneath a greenly dark yellow sky, so isolated and hardly full of life yet Obi Wan and Anakin both sensed a strong sense of the dark side of the force around the planet. "Come on, let's keep moving. The less time we don't have to spend here, the better" Anakin pointed out as they all nodded before slowly moving over the terrain, always on alert.

However, emerging into the Malachor system, having tracked them to this system, the Slave 1 proceeded towards the asteroid like planet. This was too easy-they were trapped, for once he killed whoever was still onboard their ship, he would take the Senator to Naboo as ordered. He moved to activate his comm. line seeing the small holo gram of Lord Maul appear before him. "What is it?" he asked, with a hiss as Jango simply replied. "Lord Maul, they've crashed on Malachor IV or what's left of it. I'm preparing to land on the ruins of the planet" he explained. "Excellent work, when you land, kill any one who gets between you and the Senator, I have no interest in them" he explained before he paused "On second thought, capture the Jedi as well" he instructed as Jango nodded. "Understood, I will not fail" he assured him as the hologram vanished as Jango looked back at the planet of Malachor IV-one of the final battles of the Mandalorian Wars and became taboo in their culture. But this was strictly business and he wasn't here to defy his culture but he was here to capture a trouble Senator and eliminate the Republic's greatest heroes.

As Qui Gon and Ahsoka proceeded more and more into palace on Cloud City, they found lone groups of battle droids patrolling the halls and no administrator. According to his aide, he had left with the new visitors, no doubt being Anakin and Obi Wan or worse whoever held them hostage. "Where is everyone?" Ahsoka asked rounding another corner with hardly any people. "I don't know. I've never seen the city like this before, let alone the palace" he told her. "You don't think that….."Ahsoka's voice trailed off as Qui Gon quickly shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I mean, we would still sense them if the Sith were here" he explained just as his comlink chimed and they moved into a vacant room. "Yes, Shmi what's wrong?" he asked, as he heard her voice, in a panic. "Qui Gon, I have some bad news" she quickly replied, trying to calm her breathing. "Did Anakin and Obi Wan arrive back yet?" he asked as she heard her panicking more. "No, their ship never returned to Courscant. In fact, we haven't heard from them, not since you informed us that they were on their way home" she informed him as Qui Gon looked to Ahsoka, who remained quiet. "Where could they be?" she whispered in a low voice as Qui Gon turned back his attention to Shmi. "Okay, honey. I'll find out where they went and I'll contact you when I find out" he assured her hanging up. "Come on, we have to talk to that aide once again. Something's not right. How can they not be back on Courscant?" he asked out loud as Ahsoka thought for a moment. "Master, what if someone tampered with their nav computer's destination sending them else where in the galaxy" she suggested seeing him listen carefully. "In an effort to re capture them" he finished, picking up his pace. "Come on, I have a bad feeling about this" he informed them.

The lighting cracked the sky once again casting a white glow over the surface not to mention the slight faint howl of something in the distance. "Storm beasts could be dead huh?" Hannah asked Anakin with her hands on her hips, as he just kept moving. "Could be something else, nothing lives for this many years" he pointed out. Keeping his hold on Padme, he slowly moved over to the edge of a large opening where his eyes widen in amazement. "Uh Obi Wan, you may want to see this" he spoke out as Obi Wan shook his head. "Anakin, we don't have time for sight seeing….." he stopped as he looked over the edge where he saw more jagged rocks half covering a now blacked out un occupied Sith Academy where the dark side was still faintly surrounding it. "I can't believe it. I mean, I had heard about it being somewhere but it's here even after all these years" Anakin went on as Obi Wan agreed, "Yes and it's best we leave it alone" he suggested as Anakin tried to move forward. "Come on Obi Wan, we might find something!" he tried to argue but Obi Wan knew better. "What do you expect to find Anakin? It's been years and years. There's nothing left" he told him. "Now come on, we have to keep searching for anything we can find that will hopefully get a transmission out" he pointed out as Anakin finally gave in and started to move back in the direction they had been heading with 3Po and R2 trailing behind.

Dashing through the empty hallways, Qui Gon and Ahsoka quickly raced to the Administrator's office where they found the same aide from earlier sitting at her desk. She slowly raised her head as she heard them approach. "I'm sorry but once again I haven't heard from the administrator since you last asked" she informed them as Qui Gon only moved forward. "No, we believe that this time you may be able to help us this time" he informed her seeing her face change into a surprised expression. "Me?" she asked, "I don't know how I can" she went on as Qui Gon only proceeded once again. "When your boss betrayed the Senator and the Jedi, did he give you any orders about tampering with their ship?" he asked watching her remain quiet. Ahsoka silently stood nearby, her arms folded across her chest, fingers tapping. "Well, Master Jedi, now that you ask, shortly after locking the Senator and the Jedi up, Lord Maul called him into his office to discuss some important matters and when he emerged, he instructed me to contact our engineers to make some adjustmentsto Senator Amidala's ship" she informed them. "What kind of adjustments?' Qui Gon asked seeing her shrug, "When I asked about the adjustments, he simply ordered me to have the chief engineer to contact him when they reached the ship" she answered him before she moved for one of her drawers in her desk where he saw her pull out a medium sized data pad. "I may not know your answers but before he left, he gave me this to hold onto. Maybe it could contain something of use to you" she suggested before Qui Gon took the data pad. "Thank you for your assistance" he told her moving away with Ahsoka. "Master, what do you think is on it?" she asked seeing him thumbing through the files. "Hopefully, something of importance, I mean why else would she give it to us?" he asked out loud when his eyes spotted something of interest, before moving it closer for Ahsoka to see

Senator Amidala and the Jedi have been secured down in the cell block however Lord Maul is concerned about our prisoners making a possible escape. He has informed me this cannot happen but however if they indeed make it off the planet, they will need to be able to be re captured

Trent, as chief engineer, you are to re route the Senator's ship's nav computer for the destination of Malachor IV. Inform no one and only report to me when you are done. This city cannot be allowed to fall to Lord Maul even if I lose a chance to join the Republic.

"Lord Maul knew that Anakin and Obi Wan would attempt to escape and he was prepared all along" Ahsoka pointed out after reading the report. "It sure seems that way" he added looking over at the young Jedi. "That means that right now, someone has probably gone after them in an attempt to re capture the Senator" he explained as Ahsoka was quick to add, "We must go after them!" she exclaimed before he pulled her back. "We don't know what's in the Malachor system, according to the archives, Malachor IV was destroyed many years ago. They may be stranded in space in their ship for now, it is best we continue to snoop around here and see why there are still many battle droids around" he explained.

Already having spotted the Republic ship, Jango landed his ship well away from their's before proceeding through the jagged cliffs and twisted wasteland that was Malachor IV. Hard to believe that many, many Mandalorians fought and died here years and years ago and the destruction of the shadow generator there was still a planet to land on but he had a job to do and he would succeed in his mission by finding the Senator and her friends. Distant voices nearby told him that he was getting closer.

"Master Anakin, R2 senses that the gravity on this planet, is changing slowly and we should be heading back to the ship" 3PO informed them as Anakin only moved forward knowing that he was close to finding something more. "Don't worry 3PO, we're almost done here. Just one more area to search" he assured the droid. Hannah kept her eyes open and alert always close to her blaster as Padme remained the same, clutching Anakin's hand. It was Obi Wan who was quickly alerted to the sudden danger, having spotted the masked figure hiding amongst the cliffs. "Anakin! Watch out!" he exclaimed, before he force pushed his brother and the Senator out of the way, igniting his weapon and deflected the blaster bolts that were aimed for them. "Obi Wan! What's going on? Where's the attacker?" Anakin asked, startled, pulling Padme behind him. "We're not alone right now" Obi Wan simply replied, watching the cliffs right before Jango flew down directly behind them. "Don't move Jedi!" he warned them seeing them turn to see them. Anakin and Obi Wan held their lightsabers towards him, "Jango Fett, should have known you'd be doing Lord Maul's dirty work" Anakin pointed out, "Why can't he face us himself?" he asked as Jango smirked, "He's carrying out his next stage of his grand plan on the planet Naboo" he told them. "Exactly where I'm suppose to take you, Senator" he went on raising his wrist, he aimed straight for Padme, and thin white straps coiled around her small body making her lose her balance and fall to the ground. "Padme!" Anakin cried out moving for her but Jango was faster, shooting his blaster right in between them. "One down. Now, Jedi, come quietly or I'll be forced to kill you" he told them. He could always lie to Lord Maul, saying they gave him no choice. "We're not going anywhere with you" Anakin spat, seeing Padme attempting to break the ropes around her body. Hannah looked to Obi Wan, with a look of Howarewegoingtogetawayfromthisbountyhunter?Obi Wan and Anakin slowly crept forward to Jango, he fired his blasters once, twice, three times but Anakin and Obi Wan only deflected the bolts, causing him to duck out of the way. "Anakin, I'll handle Jango. You take Padme, Hannah and the droids and get back to the ship. I'll catch up" he promised but Anakin wouldn't have it. "No, we'll take him together" he argued right as R2 started to crazily whistle and a frightened scream followed. "Anakin!" it was Padme but when Anakin and Obi Wan quickly spun round on their feet, there was no sign of Padme or Hannah right as Jango prepared to aim his cables once more.

Patrolling up and down the palace throne room once more, Lord Maul couldn't wait any longer. Where was Jango? It shouldn't take that long to re capture the Senator or the Jedi. Having already captured the Queen and her people, he was surprised when the holo gram chimed suddenly and his master appeared before him. "Lord Maul, how goes the invasion?" he asked, in his slimy creepy voice as Lord Maul knelt before him, "The invasion is on schedule my master" he explained. "I have sent the bounty hunter after the Jedi and when Jango captures the Senator once again, she will be brought to Naboo to watch her planet suffer along with Queen of Naboo" he informed him as Lord Sidious snarled "Has the bounty hunter contacted you since he landed in the system?" he asked as Lord Maul shook his head. "Not yet but he will not fail. I have faith that he will capture the Senator once again" he explained. "Excellent work, do not fail me this time" he warned him as Lord Maul nodded. "Yes, my master. The Sith will rise again" he promised him.

Unable to still free herself from the white ropes around her small body, Padme struggled still in this new figure's grip on her as she saw Hannah unconscious, with a large open gash down the right side of her face, slung across his left shoulder. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she wondered who they were. He just crept behind them as Anakin and Obi Wan engaged Jango Fett and she was starting to think that he wasn't in league with him. She attempted to free herself once again when she saw the figure's ship ahead, and no sign of Anakin and Obi Wan. Padme quickly thought of something, she didn't know how much good it would do but she had to try it and so she pretended to lose her balance and fall to the ground hearing him grunt in frustration before he grabbed at her ropes and pulling her up the ramp when a voice lifted Padme's spirit. "Release the Senator right now!" Anakin exclaimed as Padme turned her head and saw both brothers standing there. "Anakin!" she exclaimed just as the bounty hunter threw her straight into the ship next to Hannah's unconscious form and proceeding back down to Anakin and Obi Wan. "I was warned about you Jedi. You will not take my bounty" he informed him seeing their blades close to his neck. "Well, we're sorry to inform you but we'll be relieving the Senator from you" Anakin corrected him, inching closer however this bounty hunter had already planned out his escape and reached for a small remote on his belt. "Then I'll enjoy the chase then, Jedi. Goodbye" he smirked pushing the button that triggered small mines planted underneath their feet. Anakin and Obi Wan were flown back across the terrain straight onto their backs before Bane disappeared into the ship. Landing ramp closing behind him just as Anakin and Obi Wan coughed from the smoke hearing the ship's engines roared to life and started to lift off the ground. "Padme!" Anakin shouted, getting to his feet, Obi Wan, meanwhile, removed a tracking device off his belt and aimed it straight on the ship's hull before it took off into the atmosphere. "No" Anakin breathed while he felt Obi Wan's hand on his shoulder, "I should have never let her left the ship" he simply spoke out.

Having discovered that Cad Bane had taken the assignment into his own hands, Guri decided to inform her boss of the new developments just as he finally emerged from Jabba's palace. "Guri, have you met with the bounty hunter yet?" he asked upon seeing her. "Has he agreed to take the assignment?" he went on seeing her nod, "Yes and has already changed the plans" she corrected him. Xizor's face dropped. "Changed the plans?" he asked, attempting to control his temper. "I told him that he would be better off waiting for her on Naboo but he has decided to go to Malachor IV, already captured her and is on his way here" she explained as Xizor's eyes widen in horror. "He's coming here!" he exclaimed, "Why do these bounty hunters do this?" he asked out loud, "You give them instructions and they do the exact opposite!" he raved on storming up the ramp. "Well, come on then Guri. We can't be hanging around here when he gets here. We must stick with the rest of the plan. He'll bring her to Jabba, wait for the Jedi to come and rescue her then bring back to us at my palace" he reminded her seeing her nod in agreement before following him into the ship where minutes later, the ship lifted off the ground and began the journey back to Courscant.

The gravity was already beginning to change the atmosphere of the planet, as R2 was telling them but Anakin didn't care. He just wanted Padme back. "We'll just have to re program the nav computer ourselves and ensure that the hyper drive is strong enough to get us out of here" he explained to Obi Wan as the ship came into view. "Yes but Anakin, slow down, we need a plan first" he tried to tell him but Anakin only spun sharply around to his brother, "Slow down! Obi Wan, how can you say that? Padme's been captured by some bounty hunter, so has Hannah and you're saying to slow down!" he exclaimed, "We know where he's going. He's working with Jango Fett. They're going to Naboo!" he reminded him but Obi Wan only shook his head. "I don't think so Anakin, according to the tracking device I attached to the ship, it's heading towards the outer rim" he corrected him reaching the landing ramp of the ship at the same time Sabe was running out to greet them. "Anakin! Obi Wan, thank goodness, you're here!" she exclaimed, looking around, "Where's Padme?" she asked seeing Anakin brush past her, quietly so Obi Wan answered her. "She was captured, along with Hannah by some bounty hunter and are now on their way to the outer rim" he informed her hearing her gasp. "Oh no, could it be the same bounty hunter who came to the ship first?" she asked. Obi Wan was confused but Anakin spoke next, "Obi Wan, you better get in here!" he called out as Sabe and Obi Wan rushed into the ship. It was a mess, Dorme was nowhere, Captain Typho was lying unconscious before Anakin, and the administrator was also nowhere. "What happened here?" Obi Wan asked seeing Sabe become shaky once again. "Captain Typho and the administrator were working on the ship's communications when they heard another set of footsteps approaching and thought it was you. Dorme and I were in the gallery when we heard blaster fire and someone asking for Senator Amidala" she recounted, holding back tears, "He was unlike any one I've seen. Blue skinned, red eyes, equipped with all these weapons and a large hat over his eyes. I remained in the gallery with Dorme, listening to the scuffle until it was quiet again. I remained here waiting for you to return and Dorme took the administrator back to the stateroom to help his wound he received from the bounty hunter" she finished then she burst into tears. Obi Wan moved to console her as Anakin knelt before Captain Typho before turning back to his brother, he didn't even have to say a word-there was nothing much out in the outer rim except no laws of the Republic, and Tatooine was one of those planets. Anakin did not like to think where Padme had been taken too.

Her bright green eyes snapped open, as she found herself sitting in a seat with her hands tied above her head to a metal pole. She felt blood running down the side of her face-looking around, she couldn't remember what happened until she heard a slight grunting sound nearby and struggling to move in the seat, slowly turned her head and found Padme, still with the thin ropes around her and also a gag around her mouth. Their captor stood over her, one hand under chin, "For one so beautiful, you certainly are causing a lot of trouble, from what I've heard" Hannah heard him say to Padme, who tried to shake off his grip, grunting once more. "Hard to believe you are a Senator, when you could be something better" he went on, "You wouldn't be causing trouble if you weren't a Senator" he added as Hannah decided to speak up, "And I hope you know who's company she's with. Anakin Skywalker-Jinn and he won't be happy to hear you've captured her" she spat as he turned around, "Ah, you're awake. Sorry for having to knock you out earlier. I couldn't have you ruin my mission" he told her, as she watched him moving over to her, he lifted her face up with his right hand, "However, as I don't have any need for you, I could just kill you now" he told her as Padme attempted to scream through her gag. This made Bane tilt his head slightly, "Hmm, maybe you are worth something…to the hutts" he informed her. He had been instructed by his employer to not mention their name to his victims at this time. He let go of Hannah's face and moved over to the controls, leaving his captives struggling in their binds once more.

Uh oh, I've done it again! I've shifted plots-he, as my good friend Taylor would tell me, how does she bloody do that? To be honest, I don't know but to quote Han Solo, sometimes I amaze even myself. Now what will happen? With Cad Bane's appearance, things will not be made easy for the Jedi! Will Padme and Hannah discover who really hired Bane to capture them or have Anakin and Obi Wan lost them forever? Can Anakin and Obi Wan rescue them instead of Jabba killing both Jedi? Will Qui Gon and Ahsoka find out what has happened on Malachor IV and finally how will everyone react to the news that Naboo has been invaded? All to be revealed in the next chapter