Once the ship's landing cycle finished, we quickly got out of our seats. "Look, whatever happens out there, follow my lead," Padmé tells us, pulling on her shawl. "I'm not interested in getting into a war here. As a member of the Senate, maybe I can find a diplomatic solution to this mess." She starts walking and I follow closely behind.
"Don't worry, I've given up trying to argue with you," Anakin replies while following along. I walk behind the two as we went down the pathway outside of the ship. The pathway led us to a door, which Anakin opens. The three of us duck down to pass through the doorway and into a dark tunnel. The tunnel gives me the chills. It is damp, despite Geonosis being a warm, desert planet.
We turn down another passage. The tunnel, besides being dark, had obviously been carved out by something a long time ago. Not being able to see very well gave me a sense of foreboding. The moment we heard something move, we slowed our speed and looked around.
"Wait," Anakin says quietly and we stop then heard a strange chirp-like sound. Anakin whips out his lightsaber and turns around as a louder noise prevails. Turning, I saw multiple bug-like creatures start flying, undoubtedly the Geonosians.
Making sure Padmé is in front of me, we take off running as Anakin deals with the strange creatures. After opening a door, we step out onto the platform and realize too late that it leads to nowhere. Anakin comes up behind us and looks at the problem.
Down below us was an assembly line. I don't know for sure what the yellowish-orange squares were, heated metal most likely, but the factory is huge, almost every line making something different. The red hue throughout the place gives it a creepy and frightening demeanor.
Things began to go downhill as Padmé and I stumble. The ledge is shortening, retracting into the wall under the closed door. I'm the first to fall off, Anakin having been directly behind me. I hit the platform below with a hard thud, throwing off my balance and footing. I glance back and see Padmé fall too, Anakin calling out for her.
As much as I want to go over to her, the moving conveyor belt and the robotic arms were enough of an issue for me to handle at the moment. Padmé went through similar training I had when we were younger, so I have faith that she can handle herself at least until Anakin or I are able to help. We have to save ourselves before we can save Obi-Wan.
Geonosians came from different directions, one landing on either side of me. I pull out my blaster and shoot one in the chest as the other shoots at me from the other side. I dodge the blast and shoot him before he can fire again. Then I went along, avoiding the machinery as best I can with my limited abilities.
I trip over something, but keep running and jumping over the equipment. It is tiring work in the super warm factory. My cloak then caught on something as I bound past. I struggle for a moment, tugging, before I slip it off and leave it hanging. It's not important anyway.
Another Geonosian flew down, landing in front of me. Being too close to shoot him, I kick him in the face. He stumbles off the belt, too stunned or perhaps unconscious to stop his fall. Then I lurch forward, pain erupting in my back from being hit by something big and clunky. I land on my knees and see that I got hit by a machine arm.
Taking advantage of my injury, the bug creatures fly in and surround me, holding their blasters up in case I fought. I set down my weapon in defeat, worrying about what will become of me and the others.
We are brought into a room with a large, circular table in the center. Guards stand poised around it. The opposite side of the table an older man sat, definitely Count Dooku. Padmé sits down on the otherside, directly in front of the Separatist leader while Anakin and I stand behind her. Behind Dooku is a man clothed in Mandalorian armor. He seems to be a bounty hunter, which is strange. Bounty hunters typically have no allegiance.
"You are holding a Jedi Knight," Padmé begins. "I'm formally requesting you hand him over to me now."
"We don't recognize the Republic here, Senator," Count Dooku informs. "But if Naboo were to join our alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency." I bristle at his suggestion. That will never happen. Padmé is too devoted to the cause of the Republic. She would only suggest for the queen to change allegiances if it were for the benefit of our people.
"And if I don't join your rebellion?" Padmé inquires.
"The Republic cannot be fixed, my lady. It is time to start over," he preaches. I do agree that the Republic has many issues that needs fixing, but it isn't a lost cause; Padmé, Bail Organa, and Mon Mothma being prominent figures who still believe in the Republic and try their hardest to keep it secure and non-corrupt. It hasn't worked out very well, but at least someone is trying.
"I know of your treaties with the Trade Federation, the Commerce Guilds, and the others, Count. I will not forsake all I've honored and worked for and betray the Republic," Padmé declares defiantly.
Dooku pauses before speaking. "Without your cooperation, I've done all I can for you." He didn't sound too sentimental. The Archduke of the Geonosians orders something in their language and a guard comes forward and leads us away.
We awaited our trial, but not for long. After the short trial in a large chamber, the Archduke announces something. I personally don't know what he said, but I assume he said we're guilty.
"You're committing an act of war, Archduke," Padmé proclaims. "I hope you're prepared for the consequences."
The Archduke replies to her words and Viceroy Gunray, who sits nearby, commands, "Get on with it." He's been waiting ten years to see Padmé die. "Carry out the sentence. I want to see her suffer."
The guards then herd us out of the chamber to our doom. We're going to be executed unless we figure out how to get out of this issue.
