Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise Joy) belong to them.

"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa"-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond

AN: I've been feeling like my past few chapters have been weak. I hope this one is stronger.

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Chapter Tweleve

If it had been programmed to gloat, the probe droid would have done so. High-level sentient beings must really have misfiring circuits if they thought a thin shield with a flimsy window underneath that was any sort of protection.

It gave thanks. Well as much thanks as it was able to give that it was made of metal, wires, gears, and circuits. That it was unburdened by any sort of emotional programming since as a probe droid it made absolutely no sense for it to even fake emotion.

It wasn't some silly astromech after all.

The gears within the probe barely whined as it created an opening within the shield allowing it to get close to the window. A thin appendage extended from the sphere. It tapered to razor-sharp point on the end. Sharp enough to cut a perfect circle in the window. Just big enough for one of the canister to fit into. With an opening created, the compartment in the probe's round metal belly opened and the canister with the pair of little assassians slide out. It paused just long enough for another thin appendage, this one with a a claw that allowed it to pop the lid off the canister before fitting it into the opening.

Fresh air flowed into the canister and it was all the encouragement that the kouhans needed. Their many, many little legs scratched and clawed at the glass in their haste to get out of their tiny prison. Climbing over one another eager to get free.

They tumbled to the floor. Their flexible bonds more rubbery cartilage than bone ensuring that they remained unhurt, fully able and ready to continue on with with their mission of murder.

The kouhuns could sense warmth. Sense heat given off sweet blood as it traveled through drowsy veins inside a human body. Breathing filled the room, steady and slow. Their victim slumbered on, unaware of the servants of death that stalked her in her very own bedroom.

A soft beep, a beam of light sweeping through the dark room. They had small brains the kouhuns, but those small brains gave them some small measure of intelligence. They paused as Artoo did his sweep. Staying still and clinging to the side of Padme's bed where sensors and light would not find them.

Artoo gave off a soft electronic sigh. No danger sighted or sensed. All was well. The Senator was safe. Artoo let himself return to half-power.

All was clear. The kouhuns remained still for another moment. All was clear. They moved on. Their claws creating rips too small to be seen in the blankets as they made their way inch by inch to their victim.

Her face...

Her ugly, to them face. Her warmth, her blood so close. Soon...soon...They raised themselves, poised to strike...

The door to the hall slide open and Anakin burst into the room. He didn't wait...didn't think. Padme...his Angel was in trouble and he refused to let something happen to her on his watch. Obi-Wan and Analise followed close behind him, hands on the hilts of their blades as Anakin's hand twitched and his blade sprang to life in all it's near icey-blue glory, leaping onto the bed.

A quick swipe here. A blazing slash there and the kouhuns knew no more. Padme sat up, heart racing and breath catching in her throat. Their eyes met, the Senator half-reclined on what could have been her death bed while the Padawan who saved her knelt over her.

Brown eyes met blue. Faint blushed bloomed on cheeks flushed from running and pale from fear.

A movement outside the window caught Obi-Wan's eyes. There was the probe droid, recording all that had happened so that there was proof that the Senator was dead. Proof of a successful mission.

Now all it had was proof of failure.

It started deeply beeping away in binary, backing away. Time for a quick get-away. Time to return to its Mistress.

There was no time for thinking. Obi-Wan Forced Dashed to the window and jumped. The glass, already weakened by the probe's cutting shattered easily; shards falling and falling to the ground somewhere far, far, far below "Obi-Wan!" For a moment he thought of his betrothed, but he had to focus. He used the Force to propel himself through the air and grab onto the probe, clinging for dear life as it took off.

At Obi-Wan's first move Analise had been on his heels. She stood now by the busted window, eyes searching the still heavy traffic of the late night for her love. Anakin felt his sister's worry and knew that his own worry for his Master and almost-brother was the same. Obi-Wan would need his help.

He turned to Padme. "Stay here" He commanded her fiercely even as he knew that later she would take him to task for ordering her around. He leaped from the bed and took off down the hall. Analise followed a moment later. The twins brushing past Dorme and Typho on their way to check on Padme who now sat all the way up in her bed. Still not totally sure what exactly had happened.

Worrying for the Jedi who were her protectors. Marveling at the power and strength of the young man who had so carefully and skillfully used a lightsaber to to destroy the threat while not harming a single hair on her head.

Was that what I think it was?

Yes Analise. That was a probe droid. One that bounty hunters like to use.

Why didn't Artoo's sensors pick up on them?

The program was meant to pick up on larger lifeforms, weapons like bombs or blasters. Not deadly insects. The twins reached the lift and scurried in. Anakin slapped the emergency over-ride and they sped down to the first floor.

We're so high up...

Don't think that Analise! Obi-Wan will be fine. He's the strongest of all the Knights we know.

They stayed quiet in the lift the rest of the way down. Anakin's feet broke into a run as soon as the lift doors opened. Analise following as close as she dared.

The twins broke free of the building and made their way to the apartment speeder pool. Speeders of all shapes, makes, and models. Anakin's eyes scanned them, knowing in an instant every little spec from years spent devouring anything on mechanics and flying that he could find.

The bright yellow one. Flashy, but the best in terms of speed and maneuverability. His boots tapped on the ground as he ran to it and jumped in. Starting the engine he turned to find Analise ready to jump in.

"Stay here Analise!"

"Anakin I can help!"

"No! One of us needs to stay here just in case someone else comes to take her out while Obi-Wan and I are off finding this bounty hunter." Anakin grabbed his sister's hand and squeezed. "I need you to protect Padme for me."

"Alright. Come back safe...both of you."

"Only if you and Padme are safe and sound waiting for us with lurel leaves." Analise rolled her eyes.

"I should never had told you Earth stories." She turned serious. "I love you big brother."

"I love you little sister. I'll be back soon with Obi-Wan and answers."

Analise stepped back and watched as Anakin powered up the speeder and took off. Shooting up into traffic of the night.

"Please Force," Analise folded her hands and closed her eyes. Even though she didn't need to, praying aloud helped keep her calm. "Please let them come back to me and please give me the strength to keep Padme safe for Anakin."

She thought she felt a soft breeze stirring, gently tousling her hair. A whisper on the breeze, a soothing Always for her ears alone.

Her hands dropped and she turned. It was time to return to her duty.

After all she was a Jedi.