Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 36! Thanks for all the great reviews. Here's notes to a few individuals:
Hannah Jane: No, it wasn't intentional, but I see it now, especially with the ice powers.
sexystarwarslover: Thanks! So glad you like it. As for Gavin, his deceit goes even deeper than thought, as you'll see in this chapter. A twist ahead. ;)
SilverNightfall: Yep, me either. They go after their boys in this chapter so stay tuned! :)
OwlIs: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it.
Green Verde: Thanks, glad you like it.
changingdestiny40: No, Gavin and Jobal were not dating. They were friends and Gavin's continued presence is explained in a bit of a twist in this chapter. He's up to more than anyone realized. As for the Clone Wars only lasting 3 years, I'm well aware, but as I stated in an earlier chapter, this is AU and because events are very different, the War has now raged for over five, which is intentional on my part.
BookLover1182: Glad you're enjoying the story. As for Satine, yes she is alive, but whether or not she'll be a part of anything remains to be seen. She may pop up, but will probably remain a background character.
Force Jumper
Chapter 36: Turning Tables
As awareness came to him, he heard a faint sobbing. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the watery stare of Arianna next to him.
"Ari..." he croaked.
"Careful...you have a really big gash on your forehead," she sniffed. He felt the pain in his head when he tried to move.
"Blake..." he called.
"He's over there. He's still out cold," Ari told him, pointing to the little boy sleeping in the corner.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"No, but I have no idea where we are. They took us in some kind of underwater ship," she said fearfully.
"The Gungan territory," he said.
"Huh?" she asked, as he started to get his bearings.
"Naboo's core is largely made of water. The Gungans rule and live in the seas, while the Naboo live on the dry lands," he explained.
"Are they friendly?" she asked.
"They don't like dry-landers trespassing in their waters, but they love my Mom. They joined forces during the blockade years ago and thanks to her, the Naboo and the Gungans have a treaty. Once she tells them they have unwanted trespassers in their waters, they'll help my parents find us," he told her.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up in thinking those silly amphibians will be any help in rescuing you," a voice hissed. Ari shrunk back under her piercing stare and Hunter scrutinized their captor.
"Whoa...the Xal'Kaar must really be digging at the bottom of the barrel, cause you're all kinds of ugly," he joked. She grit her teeth and snarled at him.
"Make jokes all you want, brat, because I'm the last thing you'll see before I gut you. But I'd like your parents to watch so that's the only reason you're still breathing," Asaaj hissed.
"If you think you can take on my Dad, then you have no idea who you're dealing with," he retorted. But she only smirked deviously
"Oh, but I assure you that I know exactly who and what I'm dealing with. You and your brother are just bait for the big fish," she goaded.
"This is bombad...muy muy..." Jar Jar panicked, as he led Padme and the mysterious Knightblade into meet with Boss Nass.
"A pleasure to see you Senator," Boss Nass greeted.
"Likewise, your Highness. I only wish the reason for my visit was not so dire," Padme replied.
"Wesa has to help, you Highness," Jar Jar pleaded.
"Trespassers have entered your waters and have taken our children from us. I implore the Gungans to help us find them before harm can come to them," Padme explained.
"Gungans no like trespassers. Like those who hurt children even less," he said angrily, as he summoned his Generals.
"Send out the fleet. Find the Senator's children we must and plunge the trespassers from our waters!" Boss Nass decreed. Anakin and Padme smiled in relief.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said gratefully, as they followed Jar Jar and the Gungan fleet to the ships.
Asaaj Ventress snarled, as she looked at the screen.
According to our scanners, there are several ships on the sonar. Looks like they did get the
Gungans to help them search," one man she knew only has Tegan, said.
"Let's gut the brats and get out of here," another, Clancy, suggested.
"We are not going anywhere yet. The big fish is coming right for us and that's exactly what I want. Is everything ready?" she questioned.
"Yes ma'am," Tegan replied.
"Then take your positions," she ordered. They all looked visibly nervous, but obeyed. Ventress smirked evilly at the two young captives, before going about her business.
"Ari...do you think you can bend the water outside the cave...at least enough of it to do damage, but not drown us?" he whispered.
"I think so...but I don't know what good it will do. This place is lined with electrical EMP devices to fry us, including your Dad, if we jump," she whispered back.
"That's why he'll need us and our powers. When I give you the signal. I want you to douse all the sensors you can with water," Hunter replied.
"And what will that do?" she asked.
"Conduct my electricity. It's risky and I'll have to be careful as to not fry us all, but we have to take out those EMP generators if we have any hopes of Force jumping out of here," Hunter said. She nodded in understanding.
Gavin sighed in relief, as he quickly packed his things into the ship, including the money the had been awarded by that witch for delivering the brat.
"I'm sorry Padme, but you brought this on yourself," he mumbled sadly, knowing the fate Ventress planned to deliver to her.
"As for that scourge, the galaxy will finally be safe once its rid of him and the spawn," he said softly, but not softly enough.
"The galaxy will only be safe when ring worm filth like you no longer exists," Quinlan growled, as he appeared out of no where. Gavin jumped in fright and Quinlan enjoyed his fear. He disappeared again and then reappeared directly behind him. Gavin cried out in fright again and scrambled to get away. Quinlan tripped him and he fell face down into the dirt.
"Try not to wet yourself, Senator," he jabbed, as he picked him up by his cloak.
"P...please don't kill me," he pleaded. Quinlan decided to toy with him and ignited his emerald lightsaber.
"Where's all that bravery you showed when you kidnapped my little nephew?" Quinlan spat.
"You can't prove anything!" Gavin growled. This earned him an elbow to the chest, knocking the wind from his lungs.
"Any last word before I gut you like a Nabooan gooberfish?" Quinlan hissed, as his blade hummed inches from Gavin's neck. The Senator cried out in fear. Quinlan chuckled.
"Spoken like a true coward. Now would be the time to piss your pants," he joked.
"I'll tell you everything I know!" he exclaimed.
"That would take what...all of five minutes?" Quinlan joked.
"You fool...I have dirt on some people I think you'll have a vested interest. Bank records...communications...it's all yours. But you have to protect me from them!" he pleaded. Quinlan pretended to consider his offer.
"We'll see what Padme makes of your information after, you know, she beats the Sith out of you for drugging her family and taking her little boy," Quinlan said, as he knocked him out and tossed him into the back of his speeder.
"Order! We will have Order!" Mas Amedda demanded. The Senators shouted in uproar.
"The Jedi Council has assured me that their best team has been dispatched to recover the Chancellor!" he told them, as two Jedi overlooked from the highest balcony.
"I'll get Ahsoka and we'll infiltrate Grievous' ship, as soon as possible," Obi-Wan said.
"The situation is dire. I will join this mission," Mace stated. Obi-Wan carefully hid his surprise.
"Your help would be most welcome, Master," he stated, as he hurried to his starfighter.
Mace wouldn't risk possibly running into Knightblade this close to Coruscant. The only reason he was coming could only mean he expected Anakin not to show...which meant something was wrong.
"Arfour, contact Naboo on a secure channel," Obi-Wan ordered, as he took his starfighter up.
Senator Gavin Jothra awakened most unpleasantly to a bucket of ice water dousing him. He sputtered and cried out in fright, as Quinlan stood before him. But it was Ruwee Naberrie that had dumped the water on him. They were in a garage, he assumed the one behind the Naberrie homestead.
"You have better pray to the Force that my family returns unharmed or so help me, I'll make sure you suffer," Ruwee spat. Gavin grit his teeth.
"You have nothing on me, Naberrie. I hope they're all dead, especially that little harlot you call a daughter!" Gavin spat.
"Wrong answer, womp rat," Quinlan said, as he ignited his lightsaber. The frightened man clenched his eyes shut and felt the breeze, as the blade passed by his head. But he then realized he was still alive. He cautiously opened his eyes and found the chunk of his long hair that he had pulled back in a ponytail now in his lap.
"Start talking sleamo and don't lie cause next time, I'll take off a lot more than hair," Quinlan threatened.
"This woman...she's a new agent for the Xal'Kaar and wildly powerful. She hired and paid me to kidnap the powerless brat," he stated.
"What's her name?" Ruwee questioned.
"Asaaj Ventress," he replied.
"Son of a Sith..." Quinlan cursed.
"You know her?" Ruwee asked.
"I know of her. She was Dooku's dark apprentice in the early days of the war. Then she just disappeared. Everyone has just assumed she was dead," he replied.
"If the Xal'Kaar find out I told you anything, then I'm dead. You have to see to protection," he insisted.
"Assuming our family returns unharmed and the rest of the information on the Xal'Kaar you have proves useful, then I'm sure we can secure you a protected cell in prison," Quinlan said.
"Prison?!" he exclaimed. But Quinlan was in no mood to listen to his ranting and rendered him unconscious with a sleep suggestion. At that moment, Artoo came rolling in.
"What's he saying?" Quinlan asked, as Ruwee read the translator.
"He says he has a transmission from Obi-Wan," Ruwee replied.
"Patch it through, short stuff," Quinlan said.
"Quinlan, we have a bit of a situation on Coruscant. My hails to Anakin have gone unanswered," Obi-Wan's hologram informed with concern in his voice.
"Yes, we have a bit of a situation here too," Quinlan replied.
"What's happened?" Kenobi asked.
"Well, Senator Slime ball here drugged Ruwee and the others on his latest visit with Jobal and then kidnapped Blake. As it turns out, Asaaj Ventress is an agent for the Xal'Kaar now," Quinlan informed. That caused great surprise to sweep over Obi-Wan's features.
"Ventress?!" he exclaimed in disbelief. Quinlan nodded.
"Hunter and Ari were captured when they went after Blake. Now Anakin and Padme are trying to rescue them all," Ruwee continued.
"Well, that makes a bit of sense now," Obi-Wan mentioned.
"Huh?" Quinlan questioned in confusion.
"The Chancellor has been taken hostage by General Grievous. Ahsoka and I have been charged with the rescue. But to my shock, Mace has decided to accompany us," Obi-Wan stated.
"He must be pretty confident that Ventress will at least keep Anakin busy. He wouldn't risk a run in with him this close to Coruscant," Quinlan deduced.
"Those were my thoughts exactly. But Anakin can handle Ventress," Obi-Wan relied.
"I'll send him your way once they're back and the kids are safe," Quinlan replied.
"Thank you, I think we may need him and Hunter if Dooku is aboard too," Obi-Wan said.
"Be careful. If Mace suspects you know more than you do, this may be a terrible trap for you and Snips," Quinlan cautioned. He nodded.
"We will. May the Force be with you," Obi-Wan responded.
"And you as well," Quinlan responded, as Obi-Wan's hologram disappeared.
"So what's the plan?" Padme asked her husband, as they approached the cave in the near distance. The Gungan fleet had expertly tracked their enemies there, though Anakin had a feeling their adversaries were careless on purpose. This was a trap. But he felt the tremors of his boys and Arianna through the Force and nothing would stop him from getting them back. He smirked.
"What makes you think I have a plan?" he asked teasingly. She cocked her head to the side.
"I know you tell Master Quin that you just make it up as you go along, to mess with him, but I know you have a plan of sorts," she replied.
"You know me well, angel. And I do have a plan," he said, as took a small box out of his satchel. She quirked an eyebrow, as she saw the contents.
"A belt buckle?" she asked uncertainly.
"Not just any belt buckle. Remember when Hunter rescued Ari and Sky a few months ago?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied.
"Well, they carelessly left behind one of their machines they use to cancel our Jumping powers and open our jump scars. I took it apart and figured out how it worked and built this device that should project a force field if they use the machine on me, rending their machines useless against me. I haven't tested it yet, but it should work. It can't stop the EMP pulses they use, but will stop the older model machines," he explained.
"You're a genius," she said in amazement, as he put the buckle on his belt.
"Maybe, but we still have to get in there. Like I said, the EMP pulses are still a problem, so Force jumping is out of the question until we disable those. So we'll have to go in the old fashioned way.
"But they're probably expecting us," she deduced.
"Oh most definitely. That's why we need to create a distraction and I know the perfect bait," he said, as they smiled and looked back at Jar Jar. The Gungan gulped nervously.
"Oh this is bombad..."
"Someone has tripped the sensor at the entrance," Tegan said, as they readied their weapons.
"Hello..." a rather annoying voice called in to the cave.
"Exsqueeze me...mesa Jar Jar Binks and mesa lookin' for a friend," he said. They noticed the Gungan was attached to a tether and all tangled in it.
"What is this?" he asked, as he tugged on it. A peculiar little Astro droid came floating in, sputtering and clicking up a storm. It stomped angrily once it landed on the dry ground inside the cave.
"Mesa sorry stubby," Jar Jar said. Artoo spit water out at him, hitting him right in the nose and whirred crossly. He then shocked the one called Tegan with his plasma ray.
"Hey!" the other one shouted, as he kicked the droid down. Jar Jar helped him up and Artoo angrily spat out two thermal detonators and then used his thrusters to blast off. He chuckled, as he dragged a dangling Jar Jar along and the explosion ensued, taking four Xal'Kaar operatives with it. Jar Jar flailed madly until a crimson colored lightsaber cut him down. The clumsy Gungan fell into a heap on the ground then cried out in terror, as the bald woman snarled down at him. He yelped and gagged, as she picked him up by the neck.
"You foolish creature! If you thought you could rescue your young friends, then you are as stupid as they say," she hissed.
"Mesa not the stupid one..." Jar Jar choked. She saw something out of the corner of her eye.
"What?!" she demanded angrily. But it was too late. The wave of water collided with her. She tossed Jar Jar away, as the wave washed over her. The Gungan swam expertly to the platform in the center and carefully lifted the sleeping little boy from it and waited with him. As Ventress attempted to recover, she saw the Astro droid spit a spare lightsaber out and Hunter caught it, before cutting through the operatives. Arianna doused several of the EMP devices that lined the walls with water. Ventress raised her hand and started Force choking them both, but a strong Force push sent her sprawling painfully into the water. Anakin's boots landed solidly on the platform and he let go of Padme, as she rushed to Jar Jar and took Blake in her arms. Ventress pulled herself from the water, dripping and sputtering, as she drew her lightsaber.
"So we meet at last, Knightblade," she hissed. He ignited his lightsaber as well.
"Ventress...first you work for the Separatists and now the Xal'Kaar. I guess you really have no dignity," Knightblade retorted.
"You want to talk about dignity? You're a masked vigilante, hopping around the galaxy with your own personal agenda. The only people that don't damn your name are the worthless slaves you rescue and your pretty Senator of course," Asaaj hissed.
"I'm sure you've heard the talk. Everyone knows that you fathered the Senator's bastard children. It's quite the scandal," Ventress taunted.
"You would do well to leave Senator Amidala and her children out of this," Knightblade hissed. She chuckled.
"You say her children, but the implication is in your voice. The brats are yours and that means you all must be eliminated. Your kind is an abomination," she hissed.
"Don't tell me you fell for their spoon fed garbage," he spat back.
"They pay me to do a job and if that means pretending to understand or care about their ideology, then so be it," she responded, as their blades clashed fiercely.
Meanwhile, Hunter used his lightning powers to fry the EMP devices that Arianna had doused with water.
"Did you get them all?" Padme asked.
"I think so, but I guess there's only one way to find out," Hunter replied, as he disappeared. Padme and Ari held their breaths, as he appeared across the cave and they sighed in relief when nothing happened. He jumped back to them.
"Hunter...get them out of here," Anakin told him through their Master/padawan bond. He hesitated.
"I'll be fine...go..." he insisted.
"I've got Jar Jar. I'll see you back home," she said. He nodded, as he disappeared with Padme and Blake. Arianna gathered Jar Jar and Artoo and was right behind him.
"You have to know that they weren't the real target. Eliminating them won't be hard with you gone," she taunted.
"I know. And now that they're safely home, I can take care of you without them around," Knightblade taunted back, as he struck viciously with calculated strikes. Ventress managed to keep up, albeit barely, and quickly found herself tiring. He was formidable...far more than she anticipated.
"Do it now!" she screamed. The two operatives she had left fired up their machine and sent a charge barreling toward him. He pressed his belt buckle and an invisible barrier countered the attack. He smirked at the surprise on her face and disappeared, slaying her last two men before she could blink.
"Tell your Master that if he comes after my family again, then I'm going straight to the Jedi Temple to confront him in front of all, consequences be damned," Knightblade growled, before he disappeared. She growled in rage at her defeat.
Anakin appeared at the Naberrie home next to his wife, only to witness a shouting match between Padme's parents.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Ruwee is pretty much losing it on Jobal for her part in bringing Senator slimy here in the first place," Quinlan told them.
"I said I was sorry, Ruwee! How was I supposed to know he would do that?!" she screamed back.
"Because he's a sleamo that's been trying to hurt or undermine our daughter for years!" Ruwee screamed back.
"Padme is the one that broke his heart in the first place! Believe what you want to, but the reason she is in constant danger is because of that man!" Jobal screamed, pointing at Knightblade.
"Mother!" Padme exclaimed.
"It true and you know it!" Jobal defended herself.
"No, Gavin Jothra is the danger here. He kidnapped our grandson and used him to lure our other grandson and our daughter into a trap. But you're so deluded about his faked friendship with you that you don't give a damn," Ruwee spat.
"Don't tell me that I don't care!" Jobal spat back.
"All right, this isn't getting us anywhere," Quinlan reasoned.
"He's right. In any case, we need to figure out what to do with our esteemed Senator," Ruwee stated.
"Wait...you captured the womp weasel?" Knightblade asked. Quinlan smirked.
"Caught him trying to leave the planet with his payoff. He's in the garage and is willing to tell us what he knows for protection in prison. But that might have to wait a little longer. Obi-Wan called while you were gone," Quinlan replied.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"Chancellor Palpatine has been abducted by General Grievous," Quinlan informed.
"What?!" Padme exclaimed.
"That's not all. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka have been charged with the rescue and in a surprising turn of events, Mace has decided to join them. I think he's confident that you won't show up," Quinlan said.
"Then I'd say he's in for a surprise. Let's go Hunter," he said. Jobal watched in shock, as the masked man kissed her daughter passionately. She had suspected it of course and judging that Ruwee had no reaction, he had been privy to a relationship she had not.
"Be careful...both of you," she pleaded. He nodded. Arianna in turn hugged Hunter fiercely.
"I'll be fine, I promise," he assured her. She nodded and kissed his cheek, before he disappeared with his father.
Gavin slowly awoke and saw the white boots approaching him. Those white boots were attached to obviously feminine legs and he looked up groggily into the brunette fury that was Padme Amidala. He cried out in pain, as she punched him in his nose.
"Owwww..." he yelled in pain.
"If you ever come near one of my babies again...so help me, I'll put a blaster between your eyes and fire," Padme spat angrily.
"You will rethink that after I give you all the dirt you're after," he tempted.
"Start talking sleamo and then I'll see if I can find you a protected solitary cell in prison," she responded. He chuckled.
"Not so fast beautiful. You'll get your information as long as I get no prison time," he replied.
"Not going to happen," she growled.
"Then I guess the Holonet will find what I have to say very interesting...especially when I reveal the identity of Knightblade," he said smugly
"You can't possibly know that," Padme scoffed.
"Oh no? My family has deep connections all over this galaxy. What do you think people would say if they knew that their esteemed Senator Amidala was married to Anakin Skywalker...a former slave!" Gavin spat. Padme and Quinlan's faces both registered shock and Gavin smirked smugly.
"I've been waiting for exactly the right to time to reveal that little tidbit of information. You're married to that vigilante. The freer of slaves was a slave himself," Jothra hissed.
"How...how can you possibly know that?!" Padme screamed, as she lunged at him, but Quinlan held her back. He smirked smugly again.
"Your dear friend Jamilla. See all this time these past few years I visited Naboo wasn't for your mother's company. It was for the dear former disgraced Queen Jamilla. You did nothing as she was tossed from office after sympathizing with the Separatists. I comforted her through those difficult times," he said in a fake sympathetic voice.
"You mean you seduced her and accessed confidential files!" Padme yelled. He chuckled.
"It was more simple than that. We had both been scorned by you so she naturally told me about your forbidden marriage. It didn't take much after that to access your brat's birth certificates. Once I had the name Anakin Skywalker, I made the rest of the connections. It took some doing, but I traced him all the way back to his roots. All the pieces fell into place after that," Gavin said.
"You had no right!" Padme screamed.
"No...you had no right! You're a public servant! You don't get to keep these kinds of secrets, Padme!" he screamed back.
"My personal life is none of anyone's business!" she screamed, as Quinlan continued to hold her back.
"Be that as it may, if you don't want it splashed all over the Holonet, then you'll agree to let me go after I give you what you want," Gavin stated.
"You scum sucking snake..." Padme cursed. He chuckled.
"Call me what you will, darling. But trust me, you want the information I have. It's solidified proof that not even the stagnant Jedi Council will be able to deny," he mused with a chuckle.
"The Jedi are not immune to corruption and after you learn how deep Mace Windu's web of deceit goes, you'll see that they are as corrupt as the Senate," Jothra stated. Quinlan eyed him suspiciously and crossed his arms over his chest.
"If what you're saying is true and you spill all these supposed secrets, not only will your career be over, but you won't be able to show your face on a civilized system without blaster bolts flying at your head," Quinlan stated. He eyed the rogue Jedi.
"Then I expect you to find me a suitable dwelling," Gavin stated.
"I'll go call Jake," Quinlan told her.
"Do you think he'll agree to house this...worm?" she asked. He shrugged.
"It's not new to them. They have a very strict system of law. He'll abide by the rules for his freedom in their society or he goes to prison. Simple as that," Quinlan stated. Padme nodded, as he went to make a call while she continued to glare at her hostile colleague.