Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.

AN: Here's chapter 26! Thanks for all the great reviews. Six months have passed since the events in chapter 24. Here's notes to a few individuals who have been kind enough to review:

Harry2: Yes, there is an ambush coming and lots of action. As for Mace, his network is very deeply rooted and he has a certain credibility that allows him to operate without suspicion. Scout knows the truth like Anakin and the others, but exposing Mace is far from simple.

generalfangirl: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story. I will continue to expand on the Whie/Scout plot, as well as Hunter and Blake. I know updates are a little slow, but they can't be rushed. It just wouldn't turn out as well if I rushed my processes. Rest assured though, I always finish my stories. ;)

sexystarwarslover: Glad you love the story so much! Yeah, I really liked the part about Blake coming up with the mean eyes. I thought it was cute. Kids aren't stupid. ;) As for being ambushed and getting out of that...hang onto your seat, because it isn't going to be so simple. :)

Annabel Willow: Yeah, sorry for all the danger, but it's necessary to move the plot along. Despite that and all the suspense, I am a fan of happy endings. That's all I can say. :)

Green Verde: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it so much.

Avalon West: Yep, as Admiral Ackbar famously said, "It's a Trap," and yes, it's going to be getting very good. :)

Kungfukittycat: Glad you're enjoying the story.

CCougar42709: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it so much. :)

Force Jumper

Chapter 26: Malevolence

"And after the Great War, the King, sorrowful from the losses of many of his people, vowed that there would be no more wars. The people vowed to strive to solve their conflicts without bloodshed and this tradition continued for many years. Naboo became a very peaceful and prosperous place. But when war threatened it again centuries later, the queen of the time decided that she would fight again to protect her home and force the invaders away from her peaceful planet," Padme recited, as she read to Blake. They were curled up in a chair together, Blake in her lap, while she read to him. Ruwee sat nearby, listening to her as well and also keeping an eye on Hunter's training, which fascinated him.

"Did the queen win?" Blake asked.

"With the help of her very good friends, she did and Naboo was peaceful once again," Padme replied.

"Mommy…even though I'm going to learn to read when I go to school, will you still read to me then?" he asked. She smiled and kissed his hair.

"I'll read to you as long as you want me to, baby," she replied, as they settled down to continue the story. Nearby, Anakin was having Hunter complete a training exercise.

"Focus…feel, don't think," Anakin instructed, as Hunter wore a helmet with the blast shield down while deflecting laser bolts from a training remote with his sapphire bladed light saber. He felt the blasts before they came and effectively blocked them, however, one surprised him, hitting his leg.

"Ow…" Hunter hissed.

"That's a weak spot…one that could be an opening in battle. Focus on closing that opening by immersing yourself in the Force," Anakin instructed, as the remote fired again. This time Hunter managed to block them all and Anakin used the Force to shut the remote off. He called the small device to his hand and set it aside, as Hunter removed his helmet.

"You're a fast learner," Anakin told him.

"Yeah, you've earned a break, kid," Quinlan added. As if on cue, Hunter's stomach growled, and Anakin laughed.

"Oh no…another one that eats like a Bantha. I swear, it's a good thing Master Sifo and Padme are well off. We'd never be able to keep you two fed," Quinlan joked, as he pointed at Anakin and his mini-me, as he affectionately called Hunter.

"Come on, let's go see what we can rustle up in the kitchen," Quinlan said, as Blake looked up at him.

"I'll go with you," Ruwee said, as he stood up from his place beside Padme.

"How about you squirt? How does a snack sound?" Quinlan asked. Blake nodded and he plucked him from Padme's lap, before they headed to the kitchen. Anakin and Padme shared a smile, as she got up and joined him across the room. He pulled her into his lap and she kissed him tenderly.

"Sometimes, I still can't believe it," she mentioned.

"Believe what?" he asked.

"How much my life has changed for the better in the last year. I have you, the love of my life, two amazing boys that I'm lucky enough to be a mom to, and my father back in my life. I'm very blessed," she replied. He smiled and pressed his lips to hers again.

"So am I. I didn't think I'd be a father quite this soon, but I love our boys. I thought I had done well just by somehow winning your heart, let alone getting two sons," he said, as he frowned slightly.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing," he tried to deflect, but she wasn't convinced.

"You may wear a mask for the rest of the galaxy, but you can't hide anything from me, my love," she told him.

"I…well, when I found the boys and saved them from the Xal'Kaar, I told myself that I wouldn't fail them…like I failed Han," Anakin admitted.

"You did not fail him, Ani," she insisted.

"But I promised Mia…her dying wish was for me to find him and protect him. It's been almost four years and I can't get to him as long as they keep him on Haruun Kal," Anakin said sadly.

"By the time he does leave that place, he'll be one of them and completely brainwashed," he added.

"Then we'll do whatever we can to get through to him," Padme promised, as she kissed his cheek.

"Everything will be fine, as long as we're together," Padme assured him, as they shared another tender kiss. He nodded, as they stood up.

"I'm going to go check our position," he said. She nodded and watched him go, before retreating to the kitchenette.

"Master…the Republic ships are closing in," General Grievous wheezed.

"Patience General. I am sending a ship your way. It carries Senator Amidala and her two brats. Once the ship happens upon your location, you will take her and her boys as your hostages. The Republic ships will not risk advancing with her in your captivity," Dooku informed.

"Excellent…I will ready the ion cannon for her ships arrival," Grievous responded.

"She is not alone, General. A very powerful Force Jumper is with her as well," Dooku warned.

"Ah…the illustrious Knightblade, I assume," Grievous replied.

"Yes and he will attempt to use his abilities to save the Senator and the boys. I don't have to remind you that he is not limited as we are in our Force Jumping abilities. He can jump to any planet any time he wants. In addition to the ion cannon, you must employ the EMP wave as well. It will encase the ship in an electrical barrier that he will not be able to jump through, at least not without serious injury," Dooku instructed. Grievous nodded.

"I will ready the EMP wave and encase this ship in an electrical shield as well once we have them. They will not escape," Grievous stated.

"See that they don't. Do not fail me, General," Dooku replied, as his hologram faded.

Whie stepped off the transport and slung his satchel over his shoulder. The capital city bustled with morning activity and while many of the city's patrons were Twi'leks, many humans and other species also inhabited the planet. Finding Scout in a place this was not going to be as easy as he thought. He decided to find a room to rent and then he would set out to look for her. Knowing Scout though, that wouldn't be easy since she was hiding and didn't want to be found. Fortunately, he knew her better than anyone…

"Something on your mind is there, Master Windu?" Yoda asked, as the dark skinned Master entered Yoda's meditation chamber. He took a seat on the meditation pad and crossed his legs.

"I have spoken with Master Leem about padawan Malreaux's desertion. She is deeply troubled and I am as well Master," Mace stated.

"Force padawan Malreaux to return, we cannot, even if find him, we do," Yoda chided.

"I understand that Master, but Whie is still very much a child and I believe his reasons, whatever they may be, could be terribly misguided," Mace responded evenly.

"Hmmm…perhaps, but disturbed by this war, many Jedi are. Not the first to leave in the wake of the Clone Wars, the padawan is. Agree with it, many do not. Perhaps, right they are in refusing to fight such battles," Yoda pondered.

"But Master, it is our mandate to fight this war. The Separatists threaten thousands of years of peace and democracy," Mace stated.

"Hmm…many points of view there are in a situation so complex. If find the padawan, we do, talk to him, we will. See our point of view, he may, but if not, let him go, we must," Yoda instructed.

"Yes Master," Mace obeyed, as Yoda proceeded into a deep meditation. Truthfully, Mace didn't care at all about Whie Malreaux…unless he managed to find Scout. If she resurfaced before he could deal with her, he risked her telling what really happened the day of her "death". At the same time, he still had Knightblade to deal with, but if everything went as it should this afternoon, then that large problem would soon be eliminated…

Padme leaned down and kissed Blake's head, as he slept curled up on the sofa in the cabin area of the ship. He had fallen asleep playing with his toys, as she knew he would. Nearby, Anakin and Hunter sat in meditation while Quinlan had gone to speak to Master Sifo on the comm system. As she sat down herself with her datapad, intending to do a little work, she heard a beeping indicating they would be coming out of hyperspace in a few moments.

"I'll go help Artoo navigate," Anakin said, as he headed to the cockpit while Hunter sat next to Padme.

"All right Artoo, bring us out of hyperspace. Then I'll comm the nearest flight tower to get permission to land," Anakin said, as the little droid performed the task. As they came out of hyperspace, they were met with a very rude sight. Laser fire flew past them and Anakin grabbed the control yokes, evading the oncoming fire.

"Artoo…are you sure these are the right coordinates?" Artoo squealed insistently. Anakin double checked the coordinates they were given.

"What the hell is going on?" Quinlan cried, as he arrived in the cockpit.

"We've been set up, that's what," Anakin spat angrily.

"Dammit…we should have known. Let's get Padme and the boys and get out of here," Quinlan said.

"That means you too, short stuff," Quin added, patting Artoo's domed head. As they were about to abandon the cockpit, they saw a purple blast strike them. The engines and power failed, leaving them dead in the water.

"What the hell was that?" Quinlan cried.

"I don't know, but everything's dead," Anakin reported, as he could get no response from any of the controls. As if things weren't bad enough, an electrical barrier suddenly sizzled to life around the ship.

"Oh that's not good," Anakin said gravely.

"An EMP barrier…they don't want us Force jumping off this ship. We've been played," Quinlan said, as they hurried back into the cabin.

"What's going on?" Padme asked. The jarring had woken Blake and he clung to Padme.

"We've been set up. The coordinates we were given put us in the middle of a battle," Anakin said, as he gathered them close.

"Can you jump us to Yavin IV?" she asked. He shook his head.

"They've encased the ship in an EMP barrier after they disabled us. I can't jump through that without serious injury," he said gravely. He didn't want to scare the boys, so he hadn't said that it would kill him, but she saw the implication in his eyes.

"They're pulling us in?" she asked. He nodded and gently rubbed Blake's back, as the little boy was becoming increasingly agitated.

"It's okay buddy, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to us," Anakin promised.

"Ani…your mask," she reminded him. He nodded and opened the case that contained his armor and mask, quickly donning both, before he knelt beside Hunter.

"My armor will absorb any blaster fire. I need you to protect Blake and your mother for me and don't be afraid to use your lightning if you absolutely have to," Anakin instructed. Hunter nodded and gripped the hilt of his lightsaber.

"Where did that ship come from?" Obi-Wan questioned from the bridge of the Republic star cruiser.

"We're not sure, Sir," Rex responded.

"Master, we're being hailed by the Separatist cruiser," Ahsoka informed.

"Accept the transmission," Obi-Wan replied, as the visage of General Grievous appeared on the holoscreen.

"Greetings Obi-Wan Kenobi," Grievous rasped.

"General Grievous, I presume," Obi-Wan responded.

"Yes and I will soon have the esteemed Senator Amidala and her children in my captivity," Grievous taunted. Obi-Wan looked beyond the screen and noticed the model of the ship, clearly Nubian and knew Grievous was likely telling the truth. What Senator Amidala was doing way out here was beyond him.

"Call off your attack Master Kenobi or I am afraid something tragic might befall the good Senator and her darling brats," Grievous threatened, as the transmission winked out.

"Why doesn't Knightblade just jump them out of there? We know he's got to be with her," Ahsoka said, as they watched an electrical field surrounded the ship.

"Electricity…didn't you once say that Knightblade's ability was disabled by electricity?" Obi-Wan asked. She nodded.

"Let's go, we need to rescue the Senator and her children," Obi-Wan said, as they headed for the docking bay.

They were slowly pulled into the docking bay of the Separatist's ship and they felt the ship dock gently.

Anakin and Quinlan stood ready by the ramp as it dropped.

"Come out with your hands up," the mechanical droid voice ordered.

"Ready?" Quin asked. Anakin nodded, as they leapt down the ramp. Blaster fire rang out, as their sapphire and emerald blades became a blur, as they chopped through the sea of droids. But despite their best efforts, while they were occupied, three droids slipped onto the ship. Blake gasped, as he saw them.

"Mommy…" he whimpered, as Padme leveled her weapon and held him with the other arm.

"Drop your weapon," the droid ordered. That was the last thing it said, however, as Hunter leapt out in a surprise attack, swiping his blade through all three with ease.

"Whoa…wizard…" Blake said in awe, as he watched his big brother fight. Hunter stared at his blade in amazement, as he was still awestruck by his own abilities.

Anakin came back up the ramp and smiled at his handiwork.

"Nice. Let's go, they have an electrical shield around this ship so we need to find a main control room and shut if off before I can jump us out of here," Anakin explained, as he took Padme's hand.

"Stay close," he instructed them all, as they crept into the corridor and made their way along. Of course, more droids were soon tailing them.

Blaster fire filled the corridor, as they cover around the nearest corner.

"Damn, these bolt heads just keep coming," Quinlan cursed, as he blocked another barrage of laser fire. Padme and Ruwee fired their blasters, picking off the ones they could, while Anakin ricocheted more off his blade. Blake clung to Hunter's leg, as he also used his lightsaber in defense.

"This isn't getting us anywhere," Quinlan mentioned.

"Any suggestions?" Anakin asked.

"Well, I could go up into the air shafts. I might find a control room by following them. Cover me and then get to that lift," Quinlan instructed, as he pointed at the elevator at the end of the corridor.

"Good luck Master," Anakin said, as Quinlan sliced a hole in the ceiling above them before propelling himself up into the shaft. Anakin spun his blade rapidly, blocking an increasing amount of blaster bolts. They made it into the elevator and were soon traveling upwards.

"Why would Chancellor Palpatine give us false coordinates? Padme may be his opposition, but such a blatant attack on her would look very bad for him," Ruwee reasoned.

"If he was involved, then he has seen to it that it could never be traced back to him. I'm sure that he'll see that it looks like his source gave him the faulty coordinates as well. My credits are on Count Dooku. This has his stench all over it," Anakin replied.

"Count Dooku?" Ruwee asked.

"Or someone that knows that I can't Force jump through or around electricity. Dooku is a Force jumper himself so he would know and he would know that I would definitely be with her," Anakin stated.

"He was also behind the assassination attempts on my life," Padme added, as she shared a look with him.

"Do you think the bad men that tried to get Blake and me are on the ship?" Hunter asked innocently. Padme, Ruwee, and Anakin shared a look for a moment, before Anakin put his arm around the boy's shoulders.

"There's a big possibility. We can still Force jump within the ship, just be careful. They may have EMP rays anywhere inside the ship as well," Anakin warned.

"Ani, do you really think Mace is involved? Would he really go this far? I mean, Republic ships are being attacked by this weapon," Padme said quietly.

"I wish I could believe that he wasn't involved in orchestrating this…but it's not about the Jedi or Republic for him. The Xal'Kaar's objective is paramount to him…above all else," Anakin reminded. She nodded. She knew Mace was committed to the Xal'Kaar first and anything else second. Sometimes it was still hard for her to wrap her mind around the fact that a Jedi could commit the heinous acts that Mace Windu engaged in…and get away with it. But she had to remind herself that Count Dooku was once a Jedi as well and no one, not even a Jedi was impervious to corruption. Suddenly the lift stopped abruptly.

"Dammit…they know where we are. Stay back everyone," Anakin warned, as he ignited his ligthsaber and thrust it through the elevator door. He cut a hole and went through it, before helping the others through.

"Ani…" Padme whispered, tugging his arm. He turned and found two Xal'Kaar operatives in their path, armed with their electrical gauntlet-like weapons.

"End of the line Force Jumper," the dark haired man said.

"We came prepared for you this time, Knightblade," the other sneered, as they moved aside, revealing a cloaked figure. The person dropped their hood and the woman ignited her lightsaber.

"There will be no escape this time," Depa Billaba stated.

"Ruwee…get Padme and Blake out of here," Anakin whispered. But both corridors were suddenly blocked by two more agents, blocking any possible escape.

"Like I said…there will be no escape this time," she stated.

"Where do you think he has the Senator and the children?" Ahsoka asked, as they hopped out of their star fighters.

"If she has been captured, then he has likely taken them to the detention block," Obi-Wan responded.

"If?" Ahsoka asked.

"Senator Amidala is very resourceful…and if Knightblade is with her, they could be running around the ship anywhere. I want you to start by checking the detention block though," Obi-Wan instructed.

"Yes Master," she responded.

"Be careful padawan," he instructed.

"You too Master, we both know that you're the one that always finds trouble," Ahsoka joked.

"Very funny," Obi-Wan said, as they parted and he crept along the corridors near the docking bay, noticing that it was littered with broken droids.

"Well, it seems that Knightblade is here," Obi-Wan mentioned to himself.

"Oh yes…he's here and will be dealt with soon, as will you, Kenobi," a raspy voice said. Obi-Wan turned, but didn't see anyone and as he turned back, General Grievous appeared suddenly in front of him. The droid General chuckled in amusement and grabbed Obi-Wan's cloak, before disappearing with him.

The Jedi groaned in confusion, as his vision blurred and he felt sick to his stomach.

"I see that was your first time Force jumping…" Grievous rasped, as he allowed Obi-Wan to regain his bearings. As he did, he looked around, noticing the conveyor belt and the machines working away at making weaponry.

"A beautiful thing, isn't it? Machines making machines," Grievous said in a pleased tone.

"Your definition of beautiful is not the same as mine," Obi-Wan groaned, as he stood up. Grievous chuckled and ignited two lightsabers, causing Obi-Wan to arm himself with his own.

"I have waited a long time to fight an opponent that is worthy of my caliber," Grievous said, as he charged and Obi-Wan went on the defense.

Anakin's eyes darted around and he knew getting out of this unscathed was going to be slim to none…but he had to take his chances.

"Drop your blasters slowly," one of the agents ordered. Padme and Ruwee obeyed and Padme tried to console Blake who was now crying into her shoulder.

"Tell that brat to be quiet," he snapped. Padme glared at him.

"You're scaring him so if you want him to be quiet, then you'll lower your voice," Padme retorted. He smirked and started toward her.

"You're not in charge here Senator and if I have to, I'd be more than happy to show you that I am," he sneered.

"Take another step toward them and it'll be the last thing you do," Knightblade warned.

"You're not in charge here either, you masked freak," he spat, as he took another step. Anakin swiped his blade, making good on his promise, impaling the man on his blade. As he dropped, the other three fired their gauntlets, striking him and subduing him, as hundreds of electrical volts coursed through him violently. He screamed in agony and Padme tried to go to him, but Ruwee wisely held her back.

"Get back on the elevator…" he rasped in pain, as Depa approached and extinguished her lightsaber, before pulling out a sacrificial looking dagger.

"This has been a long time coming…and my Master will be very pleased," Depa said quietly.

"Fine…kill me, but let them go," Anakin said through clenched teeth, as he tried to overcome the pain.

"They know too much…and the blonde boy is just like you. I'm sorry, but they must be cleansed too," Depa responded.

"CLEANSED? Do you hear yourself? You never stood a chance, because your Master filled your head with his garbage when you too young to know the difference," Anakin spat.

"Everything my Master does is for the greater good...you and this boy are an abomination to the Force and must be eradicated," Depa said, as she drew the blade back. She was so focused on the masked man prone beneath her that she didn't see the Force lightning at all. Hunter's attack threw her back several feet and she convulsed in pain, as she tried to regain her bearings. Padme thrust Blake into her father's arms and grabbed a blade from Anakin's belt, quickly cutting him loose from the cables. His extinguished lightsaber flew to his hand and he blocked the cables coming at him this time. Hunter used his Force lightning again to strike the third man, throwing him hard into the wall and rendering him unconscious. Anakin gathered them together and used his lightsaber to cut through the floor around them. They fell through and he cushioned the impact using the Force. They found themselves in the midst of the weapons manufacturing level on the ship…and a lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi and a strange droid looking creature…