For the Want of a Y Chromosome

Chapter 10 – Revenge of the Sith

It had been entirely too easy for them to land their Starfighters on the Trade Federation Cruiser, and Mace had the distinct impression that they were walking into a trap. But the time for treading carefully was over. The war raged on for much too long, and both the Jedi and Republic were crumbling with each passing day. So instead of feeling apprehensive when he sensed Dooku's presence he felt a degree of relief. It was time to put an end to things.

He looked at Skywalker beside him and he could tell that she sensed Dooku as well. He would be loath to admit it but he was glad she had insisted on coming with him. He couldn't save the Chancellor and fight Dooku at the same time.

"I will deal with Count Dooku while you protect the chancellor," he told her, hoping for once that she would listen. She seemed slightly disappointed by his words but didn't argue. Instead she nodded and kept pace with him as they continued toward the heart of the ship.

He had to give Skywalker credit. She did not lack for bravery. But he could sense an unsettled current within her. Which was not entirely surprising given the events of the day. Judging from her own surprise at the healer's declaration she had not known about the child before today.

If Yoda was right, and the brother had fathered her child then he felt sorry for the girl. She had been very unsettled after that mission, and he highly doubted she would have given herself willingly to the Dark Sider. But he was skeptical about Yoda's theory. He had been approached one too many times by healers asking about the Jedi philosophy on the provision of certain female health care needs to believe that Ani's situation was something uncommon. Of course he had never discussed the healer's questions with Yoda - there were certain decisions that should not be made by an elderly male with no others of his species nearby. But it did leave him to wonder if the father was someone a lot closer to home.

He was diverted from his musings by their entrance unto the bridge of the ship. He scanned the room carefully for Grievous or Dooku, Skywalker doing the same. Neither were there. He sighed a breath of relief when he saw the Chancellor sitting safely in the middle of the bridge, tied to a chair. Perhaps Skywalker could get him away to safety before things got complicated. He indicated for Ani to help the chancellor as he continued to scan the room.

Not sensing the immediate presence of Dooku or Grievous he looked to where Ani was quickly untying Palpatine. And his stomach sank. There was something wrong about the way the Chancellor was looking at her. It was almost possessive. A look that Mace was sure he wasn't supposed to see. A horrible thought ran through his head. Skywalker was a favourite of the chancellor, and had been for a long time. Mace had always assumed he was a fatherly figure to her. But there had been that occasion when the Chancellor took her to the opera. It had stirred up a bit of media speculation, and Ani had a history of not knowing how to react appropriately to authority figures. She either scorned them or did everything in her power to earn their praise. If Palpatine had made romantic overtures to her she might not have wanted to disappoint him. He remembered suddenly that she had once been a slave, and the thought of Palpatine taking advantage of that was not incompatible with his actions recently in the Senate…..

Mace was broken out of contemplating the many manipulations of Sheev Palpatine when Dooku walked into the room. No doubt the Count had made some dramatic declaration when he arrived but whatever he had said Mace had missed it. He did not want to hear the sickening words coming from his former friend. From a man he once had greatly respected. It hurt to see him fallen so low. You could not trust anyone anymore.

He bowed as Dooku approached him, a final sign of respect to the man he had been. Then he drew his light saber.

"Skywalker, get Palpatine to safety," he ordered, feeling her pause in her rescue attempts to stare at the two of them. Thankfully she seemed to listen to him, grabbing the Chancellor and running out of the room.

He was focused on Dooku but part of his mind could not help wondering if perhaps Skywalker would be safer here with the Sith Lord than alone with Palpatine. But Dooku was already approaching and he let the thought go to focus on the task at hand.

XOXOXO

Part of Ani wanted nothing more than to stop running away from the battle. To turn around and help Master Windu fight Count Dooku. To show him how much she had learned since she last faced him on Geonosis and lost an arm for it. But she had to save Palpatine, and if anyone could apprehend Count Dooku it would be Master Windu.

So instead of stopping she grasped Palpatine's arm harder and pulled him quickly towards the exit of the bridge. She thought he would be more than happy to get to safety but he too seemed to be hesitating as he stared at the two men.

"That's a Sith Lord Ani," he stated, "Should you not be helping Master Windu?"

"I have to save you," she replied, continuing through the exit, slashing the few droids on the other side of the door that were trying to prevent them from getting away. Surprisingly, other than a few more droids on their way they made it to the hanger without significant hindrance.

"Will we be safe in this?" asked the Chancellor skeptically as they squeezed into her interceptor.

"She's fast, and I'm a good pilot," she reassured him, quickly starting the ship, ready to get out of there before her luck changed.

"I don't doubt your skill Ani," Palpatine reassured her, "But would it not be best for you to attempt to claim this ship with Master Windu. Together perhaps you could apprehend both Dooku and Grievous and put an end to the war."

It was a tempting option, one that caused Ani to pause for a moment. Perhaps she should go back and help Mace. End the War. But then again, if things did not go their way and they lost a Grandmaster of the Jedi order and the Chancellor of the Republic in one foul swoop the war would decidedly turn against them. At least if the Chancellor was okay they still had hope.

She did not answer, instead letting her actions speak for themselves as she took off for Coruscant. She paused for a moment before switching into top speed, half expecting, or perhaps hoping, that Palpatine would order her to do otherwise. But he did not. Instead he sat quietly, uncharacteristically so, while she dodged the enemy fighters that followed her off the ship. Perhaps he meant not to distract her, but she knew that he was upset with her dismissal of his suggestion. She had never been in his presence for so long without him speaking.

"I do not entirely trust Mace," were the words that finally broke the silence after she neutralized the last of the separatist fighters on her tail and was preparing to land. "Count Dooku should be brought to trial, to answer for all that he has done," he continued, worry lacing his tone. "But the Jedi answer to the Sith problem seems to be to kill them before they can be questioned. I would have liked you to be there to try and ensure that did not happen."

"Master Windu will do what he must," she replied, unable to reassure the Chancellor that he would bring him in alive. More than likely one of them would end up dead. But she could not focus on that as she was coming in quite fast to a crowded city. Thankfully she usually landed this way and a few minutes later they were safely disembarked, standing outside the Senate building.

"Thank you my dear," said Palpatine, patting her shoulder before walking in front of her into the building. She followed closely after him, keeping an eye out for any enemies who may be on ground at Coruscant. But they made it safely to his office without any mishaps.

"I have my own security here my dear," he said once he was sitting down in his office.

Now she knew that he was displeased with her despite the fact that she had just saved his life.

"You should return to the Jedi temple and make your reports," he added.

She could hardly argue with the chancellor's dismissal. So she turned about and made her way back to the Jedi temple.

XOXOXOX

Palpatine frowned.

That certainly had not gone the way he planned. Skywalker was supposed to face Dooku. To take her revenge, and another step closer to ruling by his side. But instead she had listened to Master Windu, and saved his life. He supposed he should have been grateful that she cared so much for him, but the action was very uncharacteristic. It made him question everything he thought he knew about her. And as he carefully probed her feelings he got the distinct impression that she had not wanted to put herself at risk either. But why? She always ran into danger without a thought for her own safety. What had changed? She had been through a lot lately…. Then in the cramped quarters of her interceptor he had felt the tiniest, shimmer of light. A disgustingly burning light that came from within her. He had felt his own anger flare then. Jealousy as well. For he had plans for Skywalker. Plans that someone else was usurping from him. But it made little matter. He was a patient man. He would ensure that the child would serve its purpose, and then it would die. And then its mother would be his.

End Chapter 10