Anakin, Padmé, and Ozara were led into a large conference room, in which there was an enormous round table. On one side, Padmé was seated; Anakin and Ozara flanking her. Opposite to her, Count Dooku sat, flanked by six Geonosian guards.
"You are holding a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. I am formally requesting for you to turn him over to me now." Padmé declared in her bravest voice, the politician in her quite strong.
Count Dooku chuckled, "I'm afraid, Senator, that you have been misinformed" he taunted, "We have no Jedi Master here."
Ozara and Anakin exchanged a look, "No?" Padmé asked.
"I was unaware that Qui-Gon was on Geonosis." he lied smoothly, almost making it seem true. "We do have another prisoner, a Jedi Knight." his dark eyes watched as Anakin shifted uneasily. "Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Anakin looked ready to lash out in murder, 'Don't' Ozara's voice halted his half movement. 'You won't win.' he stopped, looking at her in resignation. He relaxed again, if he had had the ability to catch people on fire with a glance – the Count on the other side would have been nothing more than a pile of smoldering ashes.
"Then I am demanding that you turn him over." Padmé replied tersely.
"I'm afraid that is impossible." Dooku replied, "He has been convicted of espionage, Senator, he will be executed in a few hours I believe." he smiled like the cat who caught the canary.
"He's an officer of the Galactic Republic. You can't do that!" Padmé protested.
"You forget, Senator, we don't recognize the Republic here." said the Count, "But if Naboo would consider joining our Alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency"
"And if I don't join your Rebellion? I suppose that this Jedi and my aide will die with me also?" Padmé asked.
"I don't wish to make you to join our cause against your will, Senator, but you are a rational representative of your people and I assume you want to do what's in their best interest. Aren't they fed up with the corruption, the bureaucrats, the hypocrisy of it all? Aren't you? Be honest, Senator, you know that there is corruption in the senate." Dooku replied.
"The ideas are still alive, Dooku, even if the institution is failing" Padmé quipped.
"You believe in the same ideals we believe in! The same ideals we are striving to make prominent." the Count exclaimed.
"If what you say is true, you should stay in the Republic and help Chancellor Palpatine put things right." Padmé replied. Anakin and Ozara watched the exchange with interest, knowing that if either said a word, Padmé would not be pleased.
"The Chancellor means well, M'Lady, but he is incompetent. He has promised to cut the bureaucracy, but the bureaucrats are stronger than ever, no? The Republic cannot be fixed, my dear. It is time to start over. The democratic process in the Republic is a sham. A shell game played on the voters. The time will come when that cult of greed, called the Republic, will lose even the pretext of democracy and freedom." Dooku replied, "And that time is coming soon."
"I cannot believe that. I know of your treaties with the Trade Federation, the Commerce Guilds, and the others, Count. What is happening here is not government that has been bought out by business. It's business becoming government! I will not forsake all I have honored and worked for and betray the Republic. Especially for a rebellion that will end soon, leaving nothing more than a broken group who are leaderless." Padmé replied snidely.
'What does that mean?' Ozara asked Anakin mentally.
'Does Padmé ever make sense in such transactions?' he replied.
'Well... no...' Ozara said thoughtfully.
'Then I don't suppose that it will do well to listen too closely. I don't understand her political jargon much either.'
"And what about me? Am I to be executed also?" Padmé asked, apparently replying to a statement of the Counts.
'I think we missed something' Ozara told Anakin.
"I wouldn't think of such an offense." Dooku replied, then made a nodding gesture "But, there are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, M'Lady. It has nothing to do with politics, I'm afraid. It's purely personal, and they have already paid great sums to have you assassinated. I'm sure they will push hard to have you included in the executions. I'm sorry but if you are not going to cooperate, I must turn you over to the Geonosians for justice. Without your cooperation, I've done all I can for you." he said with a shrug.
It was then that his eyes wandered to Padmé's other companion, lingering. His gaze lingered too long, as Anakin tensed and Ozara began shifting nervously – but he said nothing.
"Take them away." Dooku said coldly to the droids, but said nothing to his apparent object of interest.
The droids did as commanded, and the trio was soon lead out of the conference room.
Qui-Gon had seen the Nubian cruiser land in the vents, knowing that he would have to have a talk with his Padawan later on about his mandate – which did not include taking the protected Senator to dangerous situations. But first, he needed to get to both Anakin and Obi-Wan from the clutches of his former master. You may ask how he knew that Obi-Wan was captured, as the last time that we mentioned Qui-Gon he was only going to look for him. I will tell you.
When Qui-Gon went to the ship, he found that six droids were already surrounding it. Apparently they were trying to get R3 out of the wing, but the droid was being stubborn and refused to move. Qui-Gon watched – somewhat amusedly – as the little green droid electrocuted a few droids who dared to touch him. However, they managed with the help of a few Geonosians who arrived.
It was then that Qui-Gon had jumped into the makeshift landing pad, lightsaber activated, surprising them all. The fight was short – hardly fair, as droids against a Jedi don't have too much of a chance of winning. The Geonosians gave the most fight, what with their flying about and attacking from above. However, these too were soon cut down – all except one.
'He's probably going to go warn everyone I'm coming.' Qui-Gon said to himself, once more approaching the ship. R3 beeped a few times, "Hello." Qui-Gon replied, "Where did your master go?" the droid made a series of beeping noises, pointing its viewer in a similar direction that Qui-Gon had gone. Qui-Gon nodded in understanding. "Great, thanks for your help." the droid whistled in gratitude for the compliment.
An idea came to Qui-Gon in that moment, so as to create a lie before his old Master. "Now, I'm going to need you to do something." Qui-Gon continued, "I'm going to need you to pilot this ship out of the atmosphere, as humanly as you can." he said, the droid made an affirmative sound as the cockpit slid closed. The droid beeped again. "Do I need anything before you leave?" Qui-Gon repeated in confirmation, he thought for a moment, "Yes. I do." the droid whistled.
"I need you to record, and send a transmission."
The prisoners were led to a large courtroom like place; with a tall, boxed off area in the middle. In this boxed off area the Archduke of Geonosis, Poggle the Lesser, sat – Count Dooku to his left. To the sides of the box, various members of the Commerce Guild, Banking Clan, and Trade Federation were in attendance. The walls were lined with Geonosians, their wings making a clamor like the sound of cockroaches flying. You could say they were the intergalactic equivalent of cockroaches, actually.
Padmé, Anakin, and Ozara were standing – in respective order – before this large box. Awaiting their combined sentencing.
Sun Fac, Poggle's underling and aide, called order and spoke first. "You have been charged, and found guilty of espionage." he said.
"Do you have anything to say before your sentence is carried out?" Poggle asked.
"You are committing an act of war, Archduke, I hope you're prepared for the consequences." Padmé said with determination.
Poggle laughed, and Dooku smiled proudly – 'That's odd' Ozara thought, 'It is almost as if he's proud of Pad– no, that's not it. Ugh, listen to the damn sentencing'
"We build weapons, Senator, that is our business. Of course we're prepared!" Poggle replied.
"Get on with it. Carry out the sentence. I want to see her suffer." Viceroy Gunray said from the boxes adjoining Poggle's. Dooku whispered in Poggle's ear for a moment, and the Archduke nodded in understanding.
"The sentencing is this." Poggle said, "Senator Amidala, and the Jedi –" he looked to his aide for the name " – Anakin Skywalker are to be sentenced to the arena." a loud clamor came from around them.
'Wait, what about me?' Ozara asked in her mind, a terrifying feeling settling in the pit of her stomach.
"The girl, Ozara Peregrine" he said after looking at his aide again, "Will be sentenced to servitude to Count Dooku." Anakin's eyes turned hard, his thoughts hatred. He promised to keep her safe, but now she would be forever out of his grasp. He looked down to her as the courtroom erupted in applause of some kind.
Her brown eyes were filled with hopelessness as she looked at him, threatening to spill over in tears. "Take her away" Poggle said, and two Geonosians stalked toward them.
Time slowed to a snails pace, and it was in the moment in time that Anakin had a realization. He realized that perhaps his feelings were not what he thought. His best friend, confidant, object of worry in most occasions; was not Padmé but rather Ozara. It was her that he thought of when they were in the factories, not Padmé, she was the one he jumped to her rescue without even a second thought. She was the one who he talked to mentally, who knew all his secrets, all his fears, all his concerns and private thoughts. Sure he had shared a few with Padmé, but not all.
When he saw the Geonosians coming toward her, it seemed to cement in his mind that his heart had been lying to him all along. He loved Ozara. She was the one who teased him. She was the one who brought him back to reality time and time again, her comforting presence enough to calm him when he felt as if he could destroy the whole universe. Her words, reminding him that he was not all powerful and could not believe that he would ever be. That cold knife of reality, constantly telling him that everything he thought was wrong. Perhaps he had been wrong. That explained her behavior on Naboo, the constant brooding, and hateful glances at Padmé. Yet here she was, still looking at him in fear, knowing he was helpless and could do nothing about her fate.
The Geonosians were about to take her away from him, perhaps forever, and he would never have the time to tell her all his previous thoughts. He knew that action was better than words, as Qui-Gon had always made an effort to tell him. Without a second thought – he acted, lowering his head to her height. Kissing her chastely, and taking her by surprise. He knew she would probably scold him, for forgetting that they had an audience and that it would not just be between the two of them, but he didn't particularly care – he was going to die anyways. The guard pulled her from his grasp, creating the distance quickly. "I love you." he said quickly.
"I know." she replied as she got further away, 'I love you too' she finished in her mind. Her long black coat was the last thing he saw of her as they pulled her around the corner.
Poggle chuckled strangely, "Your other Jedi friend is waiting for you, Senator. Do not worry, you will see her once more before you die" he taunted as the four guards seized Anakin and Padmé, and led them away. Anakin was puzzled at what he meant, but could not think on it for too long, as he and Padmé were led to an open cart and fastened with binders to it.
The sounds of the crowd outside was only finalizing the fact that they would soon be out there – the vast multitude cheering for their deaths. Even the bravest of men would fear what was waiting for them. For there is a old proverb: courage is doing what you're afraid to do, there can be no courage unless you're scared. Indeed, for Anakin was scared at the moment, and figured that Padmé was too.
"Don't be afraid." he told her turning around awkwardly to see her.
She looked up at him, "I'm not afraid to die." she said, "I've been dying a little bit every day since you came back into my life."
"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked, though he was afraid he already knew the answer.
"I love you." Padmé said "But now I know that I should not have." she continued with a small smile, he knew she was referring to his obvious declaration of love to Ozara.
"You love me?" he said incredulously, he greatest hope was realized – but it did not bring him joy as it once would have.
"I'm sorry." she immediately apologized, "Now I know that you love her, I never should have –"
"No its alright." Anakin replied, "But I am the one that should apologize. I was wrong as well. I never should have done as I did." he replied, "I suppose – I suppose I was just blind." he looked at her pleadingly for forgiveness, "I was pining after what I thought was love, only to find that love was pining after me the whole time."
"I always knew she loved you." Padmé told him, "It was obvious to everyone, except yourself."
Anakin smirked, "I know now." he said as the cart began to move forward and they were driven into the light.
"I only hope you will be happy together." Padmé stated as they arrived at the arena.
"Thanks." he replied as they reached the sunlight. Immediately the crowded tiers of benches clamored, their noise echoing through the entire stadium. Anakin spotted Obi-Wan tied to one of the pillars in the middle of the open space. He looked at them in slight disbelief as they were driven to the other posts. Padmé was let off first, and led to the far pillar – Anakin to the adjoining one.
"Well, I suppose its nice to see you." Obi-Wan said sarcastically, "Although I would have preferred if we weren't in chains."
"We came to rescue you, but we got a little hung up." Anakin replied as the chains were ironically attached to the ring at the top of the enormous pillar.
Obi-Wan chuckled, looking up at his own binders, "Good job!" he said dryly, noticing something. "Where's Ozara?" he asked, hoping that Anakin hadn't got her killed – Leiana would probably skin the boy alive if he did. That is, if Anakin didn't kill himself first.
"I don't know." Anakin said mournfully, "They took her away."
'I'm right here.' Ozara's mental voice echoed in his mind.
'Where?' Anakin asked, looking up.
'They have me tied to the observation box up here.' she replied and Anakin looked up to the direction which she guided him to. Obi-Wan followed his gaze, noticing the Ergonian girl above them.
'Well at least Leiana won't kill him now, maybe just flog him mentally.' Obi-Wan thought, hoping that she didn't think too bad of him for not saying goodbye. "What's she doing up there?" Obi-Wan asked his colleague.
Anakin's jaw clenched in fury, "She has been sentenced as Dooku's slave." he said through his gritted teeth. Obi-Wan did not say anything more, knowing that slavery was rather a sore spot in Anakin, and to see his friend like that would be rather hard on the boy.
It was at this moment that their captors made their appearances, earning a loud roar of applause from the audience. Sun Fac stepped to the front of the podium, "The felons before you have been convicted of espionage against the sovereign system of Geonosis. Their sentences of death is to be carried out in this public arena henceforth." he announced. The crowd roared and cheered, as Poggle the Lesser stood up – they immediately silenced.
"Let the executions begin!" he said as the crowd went wild, the noise even louder than it had been before. Anakin looked up at Ozara, watching as her face showed anxiety.
'Anakin, please be careful.' she pleaded.
He smiled at her, 'I will.' he replied as the three doors of the arena opened menacingly.
"It begins" Obi-Wan said, mentally preparing himself for what was about to happen.
If any of them had looked closely into the crowd, they would have noticed a shadowy figure watching the events unfold.
