Chapter Twenty One

Matt ran down the hall of the ship as quickly as he could, but not even the force could help him go fast enough. He finally stopped in the middle of a hall, panting heavily. "Matt?!" He looked up and saw Kristy, Lara, and Omega squad rush over to him, as Aayla and the rest of the Jedi arrived behind him. "What is it?"

Matt closed his eyes. Then he stood and pushed past them, and turned the corner, only to find the entrance caved in, nothing but a pile of durasteel. He held out his hands, and closed his eyes. He hadn't much time. Suddenly several large pieces of rubble lifted up into the air and floated to the side. As they crashed to the floor, Aayla walked up next to Matt, and followed his lead. Suddenly more debris was lifted up into the air and set aside.

Kristy, Lara, and Omega watched, as the rest of the Jedi stood along side Matt and Aayla, and used the force to clear the debris from the path. As the last bit was lifted and thrown away, Matt opened his eyes, as a clanking sound came from the darkness and smoke.

The familiar armor of AJ filled Matt's vision and He dropped to his knees, relieved. AJ took off her helmet as Delta formed up behind her, their armor dust ridden. "I think it's time to leave this bucket of bolts."

"Grievous is dead."

"Mission accomplished."

The ship suddenly shuddered. Boss checked his HUD. "We've got multiple ships that just came out of hyperspace. They're joining the other two cruises on an attack run."

AJ rolled her eyes. "Like I said… time to leave."

"We've already destroyed the escape pods."

"And the engines…" Scorch muttered. Anakin cocked an eyebrow. "We need to make our way back to the docking hatch and get back to Padme'

"Right, you are." Yoda said, coming up behind AJ. Suddenly everyone's comm links went off. They all answered them and Palpatine appeared in each of their hands. "Greetings, Jedi…"

"What the hell do you want?"

"I have a proposal for you."

"What's that, surrender and you'll die quickly?" Kristy shot. Palpatine chuckled. "Surrender and I'll let you live. Under my empire!"

Anakin sneered. "I'll see you soon. And then we'll see who will be living under what government."

"Ah, Skywalker! How is the lovely Padme' Amidala doing?"

Anakin cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Your wife. And soon-to-be-mother of your children."

Anakin just wore a look of surprise on his face. "I did you a favor, Anakin. I removed the one obstacle that was preventing you from being with her forever. The Jedi Order. Or most of it at least…" He glared at Mace, Yoda, and Aayla. "You can live with her… forever. Just join me, Anakin…"

Matt just stared at Anakin. Omega and Delta held their weapons at the ready, knowing damn well they'd never win if he switched sides suddenly. Suddenly Anakin flinched. "Annie…" A voice echoed through the halls. It sent a shiver down Kristy's back. "Padme'…" Anakin murmured.

AJ tapped her foot. "Skywalker! This is foolishness. He's using his dark powers to manipulate you! Don't be a jackass. Focus on…" She was cut off when suddenly Palpatine's hologram was replaced with Padme's image. "Padme! NO!"

"Destroy them, ANAKIN!" Palpatine screamed. Suddenly there was a flash of blue as Anakin pulled his light saber and flew around. Mace flipped backward, to avoid the blade, and Yoda leapt forward and engaged his blade with Anakin's.

"Anakin! No!" Aayla screamed, drawing her blade. Matt just watched. "He's gone." He murmured. He began to shake. "I thought… I could maybe change it. But… nothing can be changed. Fate is…set."

Anakin shoved Yoda backwards. The Commandos scattered, taking up defensive positions and open fired all at once on Kristy's command. "NOW!" The blaster fire was massive, when it came from eight commandos.

But Anakin's blade was unseen as it moved like light around the room, deflecting the blaster fire at every angle. Suddenly the blaster fire stopped and everything seemed to slow to a crawling stop. Anakin extended his arm out toward Omega Squad and suddenly a burst of electricity shot out, striking them all.

A second later, the electricity stopped and he turned his hand, palm up, sending all four commandos into the ceiling. Then he flipped his hand back down and slammed his hand toward the ground, leaving them in a pile of armor and durasteel. He then turned and waved his hand at Delta Squad, sending them flying through a pair of blast doors behind them.

As time sped back up to normal, Mace leapt after Anakin, who merely side-stepped Windu, and slid his blade after Mace, first taking his arm, then cutting his clavicle, before he spun his saber in his hand, taking his left leg off. Mace fell in a pile of pieces.

Yoda stood, and glared at Anakin. Obi-Wan stood ready, as Anakin stared down at Mace's body. His eyes were bloodshot, and his hand gripped his hilt powerfully, with his free hand squeezed tightly in a fist. "You… can not hurt her. I won't let you! Any of you!"

"Anakin! No one would hurt Padme' except for Palpatine." Obi-Wan said. Anakin turned his head and looked at Obi-Wan. "That's just the Jedi Order talking Obi-Wan. And you know… that the Jedi Order is dead. I am the only one standing. Or… will be in a moment."

Suddenly he charged at Obi-Wan, and the two blades locked, each one gritting their teeth against the other's power. Yoda turned to AJ. "Leave at once, you must. All of you. Get to safety. Handle this, Obi-Wan and I will."

AJ pulled on her helmet and nodded. She looked over at Kristy, who was standing over Omega. Her hands were trembling. AJ stepped toward her. She touched her shoulder gently. "Kay, it's time to leave."

"They never had a chance!"

"Their deaths will be in a vain if we don't leave and win the fight later!"

There was a shout from Obi-Wan as the blades clashed again, over and over. Kristy looked up at AJ. She looked past her, at Matt and Aayla. She watched as Aayla closed her eyes, and suddenly she turned from Matt and rushed after Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin.

"Aayla! NO!"

She didn't turn back as the blast doors closed and the loud clanking sound shuddered, indicating the doors were locked. Matt rushed over and drew his blade, shoving it into the center of the door, in a feeble attempt to melt the locking mechanism. "We can't go anywhere." Kristy muttered, "Not just yet."

She rushed over to Matt. His entire focus was set on the lock. His blade was slowly melting it. "Matt."

"Kay… not now."

"Step back. I'll open it."

They both looked to their right and saw Scorch, Boss, Fixer, and Sev standing there. Each one held a detonation pack.