Chapter Four: Battle of Geonosis
A/N: So I've been playing Fallen Order and it's given me massive inspiration for finishing this chapter. It's a little on the short side, mainly because I struggle with rewriting fight sequences from the movies without feeling like it's just the same with Valencia jammed in. Anyway, things are starting to get into motion!
The cell in which Valencia had been unceremoniously tossed and chained up was dark and hot. She closed her eyes and tried to meditate, pretending she was back on Coruscant. Yet the heat and the sound of insects made it difficult to believe that was where she really was, and she found herself struggling with her restraints. There was a violet energy field around them, likely to prevent her ability to use the Force to free herself.
The door hissed open and Count Dooku strode in. Valencia's frustration bled into apprehension as he approached, circling her, observing in silence. She lifted her chin and glared, as if that would somehow disguise how uncomfortable she was. Valencia had never enjoyed being the centre of attention.
"It was a shame, what happened to your father."
Valencia knew that his goal was to bait her, and she clenched her jaw and didn't allow it to happen. He wanted her to lose her temper and lash out. She was determined to prove she was better than that.
"Obi-Wan is a fine Jedi, much more conservative than his former master." Dooku paused to throw Valencia a meaningful look. "Although, Obi-Wan wasn't his first apprentice, or even his second."
Valencia frowned. She knew that her father's first apprentice had been Feemor, now a Jedi Master. Yet Obi-Wan had certainly been Qui-Gon's second, so she didn't understand what Dooku was attempting to imply. Her confusion seemed to be precisely what he was searching for, because his thin lips curved upwards into a triumphant smile.
"The man's name was Xanatos, and he died to evade capture by your father and Obi-Wan."
The name was somewhat familiar to Valencia. If she managed to escape this situation, she would have to do some research. If he was a failed apprentice, it made sense that things were kept relatively quiet concerning him. She kept her expression neutral, not wanting Dooku to think he was getting under her skin.
"I can't say I've heard of him."
"Xanatos died two years after you were born. He fell to the dark side."
Valencia was rendered speechless. No wonder Qui-Gon had never spoken of him – Xanatos had not simply left the Order, he had fallen from the light. It was something Valencia had always feared, especially when she had almost faced expulsion from the Order. The good word of Rhesa Vandelay had been part of what had saved her, although with Valencia's own fierce dedication.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked.
"So you may understand that the Jedi are not all they seem." Dooku continued to pace. "There are many secrets and lies they would have kept from you. Xanatos and his demise was just one piece of the puzzle."
She knew that he was trying to corrupt her, to turn her away from the light. Dooku too seemed to have fallen to the dark, although he would not admit it. Was he a Sith Lord? Or was he something else? Valencia's head was beginning to throb as she tried to process all of this new information.
"I'm not joining you," she said vehemently, "Neither is Obi-Wan. We see through your lies, Dooku. If that means we will die for it, so be it."
Death was something that Valencia had never much dwelled upon. It was a part of life, and it meant becoming one with the Force. Her training had always meant she was supposed to see death as inevitable and not to be feared, but the idea of it still filled Valencia with trepidation. How she died mattered. She didn't want to die on this dusty desert of a planet, but what choice did she have?
Valencia couldn't believe she was going to die on a planet as dusty as Geonosis. She squinted against the bright sunlight as she was chained to one of the poles in the arena, and she raised her eyebrows at Obi-Wan's calm posture. She had been surprised to see Anakin and Padme as well, however when she learned that they had come to rescue her and Obi-Wan, the surprise was infinitely less. Anakin never could stay out of trouble.
"Let the executions begin!" The Geonosian Prime Minister called out. The crowd began to go wild as three different gates opened around the arena. Valencia took a deep breath and forced herself to focus. Her gaze flicked between the three creatures – the lion-like nexu, the bull-like reek and the crustacean-like acklay. None of them looked particularly friendly.
Valencia glanced across at the others, raising her eyebrows when she noticed that Padme was using her chain to pull herself to the top of her post. The woman might not be a Jedi, but she was certainly good in sticky situations.
She had bigger concerns – the acklay gave an unearthly wail and made its way towards her and Obi-Wan. It charged at him, knocking the post flat and sending Obi-Wan sprawling. He rolled out of the way as the acklay crunched down on the chain, freeing Obi-Wan from the post.
Valencia tugged hard at her chains to no avail. The acklay noticed her movement and charged, and Valencia leapt as far as she could, causing the creature to stumble over the chain, breaking it in the process. She grinned, but immediately noticed Obi-Wan attracting the creature's attention to draw it away from her.
A sudden shift in the Force made Valencia pause, and she looked up at the archducal box where Count Dooku and the others stood to see Mace Windu ignite his lightsaber, right in front of Jango Fett. The bounty hunter started, but Dooku simply smiled as if the Jedi's presence was a minor inconvenience.
"Party's over, Dooku."
"Brave, but foolish, my old Jedi friend. You're impossibly outnumbered."
The sound of droids marching filled the arena, and caused Windu to turn his attention away from Dooku. The Genosians because to flee, getting up and flying off. All around the arena, more Jedi ignited their lightsabers. Rhesa Vandalay walked over to her Padawan, tossing Valencia her confiscated lightsaber. She smiled gratefully and her master winked, before they turned to prepare themselves for the onslaught of droids.
During the fight, Valencia couldn't stop checking on Obi-Wan. It wasn't enough to break her concentration or hinder her, but there was no doubt she was concerned about him. She didn't know why – she was a skilled fighter and a much more talented Jedi than her. Just when their odds appeared to be getting slim, Padme pointed up at the sky.
"Look!"
Several gunships descended on the arena, and they were not only occupied by Jedi – Valencia was startled to see the same clones they'd viewed at Kamino. It would appear that the Senate had decided to accept having a clone army after all. Although uncertain how she felt about the decision, Valencia was definitely grateful for the extra help. She charged over to the same gunship as Obi-Wan, Anakin and Padme, gripping the handlebar tightly as the gunship launched back into the air.
A Genosian speeder raced past. Anakin jabbed a finger in its direction.
"It's Dooku, go after him!"
"Yes, sir." The clone piloting the gunship immediately made a beeline for the fleeing Count. Valencia knew that they could not allow him to escape, not considering what chaos he was capable of causing. The gunship lurched as it was fired at by enemy craft. Valencia clung on tightly, but Padme cried out and fell, rolling down through the sand dunes. The fall wasn't bad enough to kill her, but Anakin was horrified.
"Padme! Put the ship down!"
"Don't let your personal feelings get in the way," Obi-Wan chastised, "We have a job to do."
"He's right," Valencia interjected. She could sense Anakin's frustration. "Padme's tough. She'll be fine. But you know she'd be angry if you chose to rescue her over stopping Dooku."
Their words seemed enough to calm him, and Anakin took a deep breath and nodded. Valencia playfully punched him in the arm, and he even cracked a smile. Dooku's speeder docked into a Genosian port tower. The three Jedi jumped off the gunship, ready to face their nemesis.
"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you killed today, Dooku," Anakin spat.
"We move in together," Obi-Wan suggested, "You on the…"
"I'm taking him now!" Anakin exclaimed, throwing aside all restraint and immediately charging at Dooku. The young apprentice did not fare well – Force lightning crackled out from Dooku's fingertips, and he easily batted Anakin against the wall. Deeply concerned for her friend, Valencia stepped up next, igniting her purple lightsaber.
"You are as ever your father's daughter, Valencia."
Dooku raised his hand and she gripped her lightsaber tightly, prepared for another onslaught of lightning. Instead she felt a pressure around her throat, coughing as she realised that he was Force choking her. Obi-Wan glanced between the fallen Anakin and the choking Valencia.
"Let her go, Dooku."
Dooku ignored him, and Valencia felt everything start to spin. Her vision was swimming and things started going dark. The lightsaber dropped from her fingers and she was unconscious before she even hit the metal floor panels.
Valencia woke to the unmistakable smell of the med bay. She had been there enough times in her youth to know the distinctive, sterile scent. She unglued her eyelids and reached out a hand to tentatively touch her neck. Her throat felt incredibly tender. The last memory she had was of Dooku choking her, and she immediately sat up in a panic, wondering how things had gone since.
"You can relax." Obi-Wan sat beside her bed. He looked tired, and she wondered how long he had been waiting for her to wake. The knowledge that he had been there was comforting to her. "We didn't defeat Dooku, but nor did he defeat us. War has broken out across the galaxy. You're safely back on Coruscant."
Valencia sighed heavily and leaned back against the pillows. Even her exhalation of breath was enough to make her throat ache. The medical droid attending to her pricked her with a needle, causing her to yelp. She shook her head at Obi-Wan's amused smile. They both knew Valencia had never much liked needles.
"Where's Anakin?"
"He's escorting Senator Amidala to Naboo." Obi-Wan raked a hand through his hair. Valencia suspected she was not the only one who sensed there was romantic interest between Anakin and Padme. However, Anakin needed to be mindful of his duties, and he was admittedly not yet twenty. It seemed awfully young to Valencia, despite knowing she was only a few years older.
"I'm glad to see you are well," Valencia blurted out, despite knowing that Obi-Wan had likely been the least injured out of them. He had a calmer temper than Anakin, and he was more rational than Valencia.
"I was more concerned about you. How does your throat feel?"
"Sore," Valencia admitted. Talking was painful, but it was worth it to commune with Obi-Wan. "How is my master?"
"She is doing well." Obi-Wan sighed. "Although I must tell you, she has already gone off-world. With the Clone Wars coming into effect, she and her team have been shipped out already."
"Oh." Valencia found it difficult to disguise her disappointment. She had rather hoped that she would have the chance to prove herself. Again and again, she felt that she was ready for the Trials, but if Rhesa didn't even think she was ready for combat, then what was the point? She tried her best to hide the fact that she was crestfallen, but Obi-Wan had known her for long enough that he saw right through it.
"It's alright, Val. Your chance will come."
"When, Obi-Wan?" she demanded, wincing when raising her voice hurt her throat even more. "I just want a chance, and I feel that I can't even have that. I know I've been in trouble before when I was younger, but I've worked so hard since then."
"Soon." Obi-Wan rested a hand over hers. "I promise."
Valencia looked down at their hands and couldn't quite suppress the heat that rose in her cheeks. She didn't move her hand away though. The contact was soothing. Obi-Wan had a calming presence. A slow and steady smile curved the corners of her lips as she glanced up into his earnest eyes.
"I believe you."
"Good." Obi-Wan removed his hand from hers, and she observed the loss of contact with slight chagrin. "Now, you need rest. Your throat still hasn't healed completely from what Dooku did."
"Can you stay?" Valencia asked, the softness of her voice revealing a vulnerability she didn't normally show others. "I could really use the company."
Obi-Wan appeared a little surprised by the request, his eyes widening slightly, but he nodded.
"Of course I can."
When Valencia entered the Sparring Arena several days later, Aayla and Marion were locked in fierce combat. It had been mere days since the Battle of Geonosis, an event in which Aayla had been actively involved, yet she barely broke a sweat as she fended off her apprentice's strikes. Marion's teeth were gritted and her hair lank with sweat as she spun to avoid her master's retaliation.
"You're too desperate." Aayla stepped back, circling Marion. "You're on the attack and it's not working for you. Switch to defensive."
Valencia sat down and crossed her legs as she watched Marion. It was hard to take criticism, as she well knew, but Marion did so without complaint. She changed up her stance to adopt a more defensive position. Valencia examined their styles as she watched them fight. Aayla moved like a dancer, fluid and quick. Marion's movements were more jarring, short and sharp.
They two exchanged blows but as always, it took little time for Aayla to disarm her apprentice. There would come a day when Marion would gain the upper hand, yet Valencia couldn't see that happening for some time yet.
"Are you done showing off, Aayla?"
Her friend spun to face her, a grin lighting up her face. Marion's expression was more solemn as she deactivated her lightsaber.
"Valencia."
"I thought we could talk."
"I should go and meditate," Marion said immediately.
"You're welcome to stay," Valencia offered, knowing how it could feel to be rejected from social situations.
"It's fine." Marion's smile was small but genuine. Before Valencia could insist, she swept her hair back and departed the Sparring Arena.
"What was it you wanted to discuss?"
"Just Geonosis." Valencia shook her head slowly. She was oddly crestfallen at the idea that she wouldn't be working as closely with Obi-Wan anymore, although she wasn't certain if mentioning that to Aayla would be a wise idea. Obi-Wan was Valencia's good friend, but he was not her master. No one could ever replace Rhesa.
"What specifically about Geonosis?" Aayla asked, sitting down beside Valencia. "The fact that it's caused a full-scale galactic war?"
There was certainly that, but that wasn't the matter Valencia wished to discuss. How was she meant to explain her predicament to her best friend? Aayla had always been a role model, the paragon of what it meant to be a Jedi. Valencia was far from touching her friend's shining example.
"No," Valencia admitted, "It's not that part of it."
"Then what?" Aayla persisted.
"It's Obi-Wan." Valencia let her blonde hair fall into her face, ashamed of the heat that rose in her cheeks. She was not a woman tempted by the prospect of romance, and she didn't know whether her feelings for Obi-Wan were romantic exactly. Yet they were changing, no longer the certain comfort of friendship she'd experienced during her lifetime.
"I can understand you admiring him." Aayla nodded knowingly. "We both grew up with the tales of how he avenged his master's death by killing the Sith Lord on Naboo."
"It's not even that I want to be like him," Valencia admitted, heaving a frustrated sigh. "It's that…I don't know what I am to him anymore, or what he is to me."
"Val." Aayla placed a hand over her friend's, and although her voice was soft, her words were firm. "You need to remember what you both are. You've made your share of mistakes, and I fear that the next one could get you expelled."
Valencia knew that Aayla was right. She couldn't afford to take any risks. Even if people merely believed there was something going on between herself and Obi-Wan, it might be grounds for her being removed from the Order. She had to focus on her career as a Jedi – especially with war looming. Battle was imminent, and Valencia knew the time was coming where she had to fight.
