A MESSED UP DESTINY
A STAR WARS STORY
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: Disney owns everything and I make no profit from this.
Hello there everyone and welcome to chapter 9 of A Messed up Destiny! I'm still trying to speed through Geonosis and the battle in the arena, so it won't be long until the duel with Dooku, where even Vader will need…a hand in order to win. My puns aside, today we'll go through the Foundry's infiltration, starring Anakin "Skyguy" Skywalker, Padme Amidala, Siri Tachi, Ferus Olin and Yan Dooku. And yes, Dooku's first name is Yan. The more you know I guess…
Anyways! Our chapter begins as soon as our heroes land on the desolate planet of Geonosis, with our team of Jedi splitting up into two groups. Siri and Ferus will stay together (off screen), while Anakin and Padme try to get through the waves of Geonosians guarding the facility. They will of course get captured, as per usual, and Anakin will have an interesting conversation with Jango before his and Padme's "trial". The battle of Geonosis will begin in the next chapter, since I'll make plenty of changes, including Anakin interacting with the Clones and changing the course of the battle, and will include the duel between Anakin and Jango Fett, which is a scene that I still need to work on.
Post edit note: A new summary has been written for the story, hinting at a darker tone that the previous one. While the story won't get too dark or too graphic as a whole, such moments have been planned for future chapters. A warning will be given when necessary, but I've decided to tell you now so you can ask me any questions the change in summary may have caused.
Anyways…without further ado…let's get straight into it!
Infiltrating the Foundry! As Republic Senator Padme Amidala and a team of Jedi Knights arrive on Geonosis to investigate Knight Kenobi's claims about a Separatist army preparing to attack the Republic, they are met with deadly opposition in the forms of the planet's locals, who are aligned with Separatist Forces. Being forced to split up during the mission, the Republic strike team must find and rescue Obi Wan before they need one themselves! Meanwhile, a sinister threat awaits our heroes as Darth Tyranus works in the shadows to put an end to the Jedi threat, by any means necessary.
Geonosis, Droid Foundry, Anakin's point of view:
Geonosis was much worse than I remembered. Sand was all one could see, that and rocks that formed a desolate wasteland, not to mention the heat. That in particular, was a nightmare. The six of us –Padme, Ferus, Siri, the droids and myself, arrived on the planet with the intent of rescuing Obi Wan from Dooku, but it didn't take long for us to start thinking that we might need to be rescued ourselves. The Nubian was hidden away near the entrance of the main droid foundry, guarded by Artoo and Threepio. After making sure that the ship wouldn't be spotted by any patrolling droids or Geonosians and sealing the droids inside as a last line of defense, the rest of us moved towards the facility, trying to stay in whatever shadow was provided by the nearby rocks and hills.
Despite our best efforts –which weren't much in Ferus' case since he wanted to fight- things escalated rather quickly and before we knew it, we found ourselves surrounded by Geonosian soldiers. Padme quickly took cover behind a nearby rock and began blasting them to pieces while Siri and I used the Force to attack the enemy, a strategy that proved to be ineffective because of their wings. I'll have to remember that when I came back to this hellhole for round two. Ferus was busy jumping around, trying to attack the soldiers with his lightsaber, but the Geonosians always flew away just before he could reach them. This –of course- only served to infuriate the boy further, but I had better things to do than deal with Ferus Olin of all people.
I dodged another sonic blast coming my way and held one of the bugs in place for Padme to shoot. The Geonosian went down after a headshot from Padme and I began to do the same for the others. They went down rather quickly after that and Siri approached me when we made sure that no more bugs were in the area, Ferus following a step behind her.
"Good work out there Skywalker.", my 'fellow' Jedi praised.
"Happy to help.", I told her. Besides, I won't let a couple bugs stop me from rescuing Obi Wan."
Padme came out from hiding spot and I went over to her, doing a quick check for wounds or other injuries. She assured me that she was alright, but I insisted, wanting to make sure that she was alright. "Anakin, I'm okay. You don't have to check me. I would have said something if I was hurt.", she said.
"Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.", I told her.
"Well, perhaps it would be better if you finished with your check and move inside?", Siri proposed. "Force knows I don't want to fight any more of those bugs."
"Don't worry Master, they are no match for Me.", said Ferus.
"Really now?", I asked, teasing him. "I guess that's why you couldn't take one down on your own.", I told him. Ferus practically growled at me, but Siri must have spoken to him through their bond, because he calmed down after a moment or two.
"I agree with Master Siri. We shouldn't stay here for long.", said Padme, reminding everyone of the objective.
I nodded in affirmative and we all went inside the catacombs of the foundry, working to find our way to where Obi Wan was held, which was made infinitely harder because of Ferus trying to do…whatever he was doing. I didn't care about it and quickly got mad, especially after having to assassinate an entire squad of Geonosians when they saw us because he was being careless.
"Fighting these stupid bugs isn't fun", I thought to myself.
"Did you expect it to be?", asked the voice of Qui Gon, who had been keeping an eye on our group.
"No master, but I wish Ferus could be less annoying. We've nearly gotten caught twice now because of him.", I told the Force Ghost. "Having to use the Dark Side isn't good for my eyes either.", I said, half-joking.
"Indeed it isn't. Golden eyes really don't suit you.", Qui Gon said after letting out a short laugh. "Besides, he's only trying to make up for his failure on Tatooine. Since you have the same motivation, you really have no right to complain.", he added.
"Maybe I don't, but I wish he would be a bit more quiet about It.", I countered.
"Said every Clone that ever served under you. Also, two patrolling bugs on your left and another two in position at the next turn."
I quickly raised my hand and clenched my fist, causing the Geonosians to squirm in their spots before dropping dead. That earned me a sideways look from both Padme and Siri, so I sent an apologetic look to the former and ignored the latter. Padme rolled her eyes at me before going back to paying attention to the pathway ahead. I sent a mental 'thank you' to Qui Gon before inquiring about what to do with Dooku. He seemed to ponder over it for a moment before finally coming to a conclusion.
"I suggest you let him live. Killing him now would change far too much and besides, it might be possible to save him from the Dark Side, since it hasn't fully claimed him yet.", Qui Gon said and I thought back to Dooku's eyes throughout the War, remembering that they had never gone yellow, unlike mine in the end.
"So, you're saying that we may be able to redeem him? Even after all he's done?", I asked my mentor.
"Anakin, redemption isn't something one deserves. It's something anyone can achieve, if they try hard enough, that is.", Qui Gon told me.
"…You really believe that?", I asked him, trying to understand this new way of thinking. I pondered over it while waiting for an answer, thinking about how different it was from anything either a Jedi or a Sith had ever taught me.
"Yes, Padawan mine. I do believe in that, and above all, you. I have no doubt that you will succeed in the end, Anakin, and that's coming from someone that has seen the future.", he responded. I smiled at the thought that someone other than Padme was honesty trusting in me, happy that someone finally did.
"Hey Skywalker, cut the smiling! It's disturbing.", Ferus said, puling me out of my thoughts.
"And I find your lack of manners disturbing, but you don't see me whining about it!", I told him, unaware of how threatening I must have sounded.
"Padawan Skywalker is right Ferus, we shouldn't be wasting time on such a trivial matter. Then again, he could have been a bit more polite.", said Siri, trying to lecture both myself and Ferus.
Padme let out a giggle, which earned her a soft smile from me, and we all kept on searching for Obi Wan. A few dead Geonosians and way too many dead ends later, we reached a crossroad, with the pathway splitting in two. I quickly cut another Geonosian in half before turning to the rest of the group, silently asking where to go.
Siri ran a hand through her hair, seemingly pondering over the issue. Ferus stayed silent, ready to follow his Master's lead, but unwilling to propose an idea of his own and I kept an eye out for incoming guards by tracking nearby Force signatures. I sensed two incoming from the way we had just come from and quickly crushed their lungs with the Force, which resulted in both bugs dropping dead a mere second later. As for the direction we'd go in, it was Padme who took initiative and proposed that she and I take the left path while Siri and Ferus take the right one. Siri gave me a long look –as if she was studying me- before nodding silently and Ferus immediately agreed, not wanting to be around me any longer. The two Jedi then proceeded to walk away while Padme and I began going towards what I –after a quick check of nearby Force signatures- realized should be Obi Wan's cell.
"Padme, is there a reason you told them to go the other way?", I asked her, eagerly awaiting her response.
"I'm not sure. I just have this...feeling. That this is the way we were supposed to go. I just sent the others away so we could talk freely.", she responded and my curiosity regarding this 'feeling' of hers spiked.
"Sounds like something a Jedi would say.", I told her.
"Oh come on Ani, we both know that out of the two of us, you're the one who is closer to a Jedi.", Padme said, complementing me.
"No, no I don't think I am. Even when I went through all this the first time around, you were more suited to be a Jedi than I was. The only things missing were the Force powers.", I continued.
Padme let out a tiny, cute giggle before responding to my flattery. "Seriously?", she asked. "You think and I, the Senator of Naboo, would make for a good Jedi?"
"Yes!", I said excitedly. "You're open minded, a quick thinker, a good fighter, you know how to lead others, and you're fair when judging someone and above all, you have a big heart. You're willing to put yourself in danger for the sake of others, you have this drive to help anyone you can without caring about the consequences. That's more than I, or the average Knight can say about themselves. You really would make an excellent Jedi.", I told her, my face beaming with pride.
"You really believe that?", she asked, unsure if I had really meant what I said or was simply complementing her.
"Yes, I do believe that and above all, I believe in you.", I said, showing her that I had meant my previous words.
Padme seemed to think about it for a moment before responding. "That last phrase. Is that a Qui Gon quote?", she asked, suddenly suspicious of my confidence.
"Yeah, it is.", I admitted. "Doesn't change the fact that I believe it though."
Padme shot me a warm smile, which made my insides feel hotter than the Geonosian desert, and gave me a small hug. I allowed myself to enjoy the embrace before doing another quick check with the Force and noticed that Obi Wan's cell was very close to our current position. Unfortunately, Obi Wan wasn't the only Force sensitive in the room. That fact was given away by the presence of Count Dooku, otherwise known as Darth Tyranus. Padme nudged my shoulder and I snapped out of my thoughts, only to see a squad of B1 battle droids surrounding us.
"Drop the weapons Jedi! I said drop them!", said one of the robots, because calling them droids was an insult to the species.
Padme moved to do so, but I simply clenched my fist, causing our enemies' mechanical insides to be crushed by an unseen Force. "Why did the Seppies name these things 'Battle Droids' again?", I asked Padme, who seemed to be holding back a laugh.
"I don't know Ani. They truly are useless.", she told me.
"Yeah. I sometimes wish I could upgrade these things. Maybe then they'd pose an actual challenge.", I joked.
"Perhaps I'll let you do so if you join us, my boy.", said Dooku, who had just appeared from behind a corner with Jango Fett at his side.
"Count Dooku. I've heard much about you sir.", I greeted, trying to be polite, not wanting to anger him needlessly.
"Have you now? Then you must know that I was Master Qui Gon's teacher.", he told me, expecting a reaction he'd never get.
"I do sir, though I am unsure about why you'd associate yourself with these traitors.", I said, trying to sound as pro-Republic as I could.
"Traitors? No my boy, this is a mistake, a terrible mistake! The Separatist Alliance doesn't consist of traitors, only worlds that wish to secede from the Republic and escape the grasp of its greedy corporations!", Dooku said, trying to get me to ask more questions. I had to give him credit, he really was a good diplomat.
"If this is a mistake, then why is a Jedi Master being held prisoner here?", asked Padme, angered by Dooku's fake apology.
"Master Kenobi has been imprisoned on charges of trespassing and murder, just like your other Jedi friends. Unfortunately, the same must happen to you now. Jango, take the Jedi to his cell. Senator Amidala and I will see if an agreement for your release can be reached between the two us.", Dooku said, and the fact that he'd be alone with Padme made me very angry, but I hid my emotions well, making sure to prevent Dooku from probing my mind for anything he could use during our upcoming duel. I wasn't going to lose another hand to this sack of Bantha Fodder, nor would I let my anger get the best of me again, especially when my failing could put Padme in danger.
Seeing that I wasn't moving, Jango tried to shove me to where he wanted me to go, and I didn't resist. There wasn't a point in doing so, really. He wouldn't let me leave unless it was over his dead body and I was sure that his son wouldn't appreciate that if it happened. Besides, I wasn't going to ruin another family. Not now, not ever. The Mandalorian and I reached my cell after a minute or two of walking and he proceeded to secure the binders on me before activating the suspension platform. He then turned to leave the room, but stopped himself mid-way through the door. He removed his helmet and began walking towards me, stopping about an inch away from my face. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
"Why did you come back kid?", he asked. "I told you that I'd kill you if we ever met again. So why?", he questioned.
"Because Master Kenobi is like a brother to me and if there's anything important I learned from my mother, is that no one gets left behind. Never. Especially not in a place like this.", I told the Bounty Hunter.
Jango tilted his head, expressing curiosity at my words, but said nothing, so I kept on going. "Just so you know-", I began. "-Dooku isn't the most honorable person in the galaxy. He'll probably betray you the second he thinks you aren't useful anymore", I warned him.
"That won't happen. And even if it does, I don't see why you should care about me. I'm a Mandalorian and you're a Jedi. Those two don't go together.", he countered.
"Maybe they don't, but I –as a person- can understand why you would think so.", I said, and sensed his anger spike, probably because my words must have triggered a painful memory of sorts. Now I knew that I had to think fast. I needed a way to get him to turn on Dooku, or to at least begin seeing the Jedi as something other than enemies due to the Battle of Galidraan.
"You understand nothing, Padawan.", he told me, nearly spitting at the title. "Dooku pays well, so I have no reason to harm him, considering that he hasn't betrayed Me.", the hunter finished.
"I beg to differ. Do you –by any chance- remember the Battle of Galidraan? No? Well, let me tell you something you probably didn't know. Jedi Master Yan Dooku led the assault on the True Mandalorians that day, Jango. He's already hurt you, and that's when he still called himself a 'guardian of peace'. What's to stop him from doing it now when he answers to no one?", I asked the Bounty Hunter, feigning concern for his wellbeing.
Jango was absolutely stunned. He blinked once, twice, then a third time before finally responding. "If you're trying to manipulate me…I'll kill you. And you'll die screaming!", he shouted! "Do you hear me Jedi?"
"Jango, I'm not asking for anything. I just want you to know that Dooku can't be trusted. He'll betray you –it's the way of the Sith- and I'm only trying to make sure you don't get hurt.", I told him, not having to feign any concern this time.
"Still-", Jango began "-you had no reason to tell me that." He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before continuing. "So why did you?", he finally asked me, breaking a long silence.
"Because it's the right thing to do.", I told him, fully meaning my words.
"I'm not going to free you or your friends.", he said, trying to accuse me of using him as a final excuse to ignore my words.
"I know.", I simply said, giving him a small nod of the head.
"Then I'll see you in the arena, Jedi.", he told me, and with those final words, he turned to the doorway and bolted outside, while I allowed a smile to appear on my face, simply because I suddenly felt eager to have a proper duel with the Mandalorian warrior.
And…scene! There we go, chapter 9 is now complete! I sincerely hoped you enjoyed reading as much –if not more- as I did writing it and would very much appreciate any comments or feedback about the story, which can be delivered to me via the review section. Anyways, moving on to the epilogue because there is a lot to talk about here.
Firstly, something I forgot to address in the last chapter. It's a minor thing, but I still thought it was pretty funny. I'm talking about the scene where the group is heading back to the Lars Homestead after the encounter with the Tusken Raiders and Owen lets go of the steering controls of the speeder, distracted by the ongoing conversation. Anakin then just causally uses the Force to keep driving from afar as if nothing had happened. It's a neat little trick that made for a funny moment and something I'll definitely be using down the line, since it's within the realm of possibility when it comes to Darth Vader's power.
Secondly, the first and last action scene in this relatively short chapter. I think the Geonosians' first defensive strategy against Jedi is to stay out of reach, especially since abilities like Force Push and Force Pull will be more or less useless due to their wings. Also, Anakin continues to express concern over Padme's wellbeing, but doesn't do anything that would alarm the Jedi or give them a hint regarding the true nature of their relationship. This, of course, has to do with Darth Vader's training and the fact that he knowns how and is used to suppressing emotions when necessary –which was basically all the time because of Sidious' constant testing-.
Thirdly, establishing that Anakin and Qui Gon can just casually chat whenever is going to be pretty handy when Anakin needs advice on how to handle a situation, but they won't do it all the time and especially around more experienced Jedi (Windu, Yoda, etc.), because they'll probably sense some disturbance in the Force. The only reason they got away with it this time is because Siri and Ferus weren't looking for a Force Ghost (duh) and were actively trying to focus on their mission, therefore ignoring anything else in their immediate surroundings, including the resident Force Ghost. Another thing is that Qui Gon wasn't visible and hadn't materialized properly so only Anakin could contact him directly because they have a Force bond (that began developing when Ani was a kid and has now been repaired since it would be essential for communicating without the knowledge of other Jedi, or worse, Palpatine).
Fourthly, Jango Fett. Contrary to popular belief, Jango wasn't a piece of Bantha Poodoo like most other known Bounty Hunters. In fact, he has been characterized as 'honorable' by Hondo (he needs no introduction) on multiple occasions. Exposition aside, Anakin (now in "Vader Mode") was trying to turn him against Dooku and referencing that he was leading the Jedi assault on Galidraan (a battle that occurred when Dooku was still a Jedi and ended up with a bunch of misinformed Jedi wrongfully slaughtering about a hundred Mandos –correct me if I'm wrong- and leaving Fett as the sole survivor) was bound to upset him, as well as create an enormous rift between the two. The only reason I had Fett remain under Dooku's command is because of the honor mentioned above, and because he "always finishes the job". Though in my mind, Fett already hates Dooku after this. He's just waiting for an excuse to dump the Seppies and switch sides at this point.
Lastly, the note left after the prologue. As I stated above, the story won't get overly dark, no blood, gore and such, and while some dark scenes will exist, they still won't be disgusting or something. In all honestly, I doubt I could ever write something like that. If you guys need a comparison, think that the overall story will retain a level of darkness similar to the one from the show (and that will mostly be contained in Darth Vader scenes), with finishing moves performed on humanoids or other aliens being limited to Force Chokes, Force Lighting, Force Drain, Decapitations, and getting cut in half, thought I'll try to save that for Maul specifically. To elaborate, we are talking "Hallway scene from Rouge One" levels of Force Choking, "Sidious" levels of Force Lighting at worst (mostly from him and towards other characters), Force Drain being kept simple -without any gross details-, Decapitations like the one that ended Dooku, people being cut in half specifically reserved for Maul and losing limbs being saved for serious situations since I don't want people to start losing arms and legs every other chapter.
I hope my clarification helped you understand what you should expect from the story during much later chapters, since the upcoming ones have very few chances on anyone getting seriously hurt. Also, expect battle droids to be scrapped constantly throughout the story, like literally being used by Anakin (as in the character) to impress/leave others speechless when doing something that is a piece of cake for him in reality.
Anyways, I'll see you all in the next chapter (or in the review section if you'd prefer), but until then, May the Force be with you!