Chapter 33 – Assassination Attempt
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars, even if we wish we did. xD
Author's Note: In which Ahsoka becomes overconfident... and there's a disaster. ;)
~ Amina Gila
We step around the corner anyway, only to see Shaak Ti sitting on the floor, Grievous standing behind her surrounded by his MagnaGaurd droids with deactivated electrostaffs.
"I'm sorry, Master Kenobi, I failed," she murmurs, looking up.
"General Kenobi," the crazed cyborg cackles, "We've been waiting for you."
"... You know, you're shorter than I expected," is the first thing out of Anakin's mouth.
I raise an eyemarking at him. Does he really think now is a good time for jokes? I didn't realize Shaak Ti was captured also. She must have been one of the ones defending the Sith Lord, having left to return to Coruscant to deliver an in-person report long before we did.
"Jedi scum!" growls Grievous angrily, bending over and activating a blue lightsaber straight through the Jedi Master's chest. She collapses on the floor, dead instantly, and all three of us ignite our lightsabers. I hadn't liked the Jedi Master much in the time I'd known her, but to see her dead... A large group of battle droids swarm up behind us, moving forwards. Great. We're trapped.
More battle droids step out from behind parts of the hall further down behind Grievous, preparing to fire.
"Anakin, Ahsoka..." Obi-Wan says.
"Ready," he and I confirm as move to stand in a circle. We've done this before. If you can't go either way, go up or down. We stab our lightsabers into the floor, cutting a circle around ourselves.
We fall down into what looks like the fuel room. Fuel splashes up around the piece of floor as we land, quickly deactivating our lightsabers before we hit the ground.
"Fuel," realizes Obi-Wan, "The slightest charge from our sabers will send this ship into oblivion. That's why they haven't shot at us yet." I glance up through the hole as to see a furious Grievous glaring down at us before we move out of his sight.
"Well then, we're safe for the time being," Anakin decides cheerfully.
"Your idea of safe is not the same as mine," Obi-Wan informs him flatly.
We quickly head off down the passageway. The ship trembles slightly from the force of explosions from the space battle. Pipes along the walls are spilling more and more fuel into the hall as they burst. It seem the ship is suffering much more damage than we realized.
"We better get going, before we drown," I advise, hurrying through the deepening liquid. Suddenly, I hear a distant splash far behind us. They've obviously sent droid pursuers after us.
"They're sealing this section off," Anakin observes as the sounds of doors closing echoes through the hall.
"Six droids coming our way!" warns Obi-Wan, looking back to see them swimming towards us. The level of fuel is steadily continuing to rise, now reaching my neck. Yes, we badly need to get out of here.
"Keep moving," Anakin advises, as if we're not. "There must be vents around here somewhere." By this point, I'm more swimming than walking or I'd be practically literally drowning. The droids are getting ever closer, but I highly doubt they're going to shoot at us down here, so I'm not too worried about it.
"I've found our escape vent," Anakin announces cheerfully, coming to a stop next to a small grate.
"About time!" I exclaim, moving towards it.
"Anakin, this is no time for jokes," groans Obi-Wan, "We're in serious trouble here."
"He's not joking," I grumble, pushing past them and pulling myself into the tiny space. I can fit fine, but I'm not sure about them.
"Only in your mind, Master," Anakin answers Obi-Wan's complaint as he moves over to climb in after me. They climb in after me and we hastily begin climbing up the shaft.
The passageway is small, and I have no idea where we're going, but as long as we get out of there, that's all that matters. I can't believe we're seriously going through all this chaos to rescue a Sith Lord. Well, if we succeed in our "rescue" I suppose it will be worth it.
As we climb up the wall, I stop upon seeing a small hatch leading out. "Hold on," I mumble, "I found a way out." Reaching over, I push a button, getting it so slide open for us.
I crawl forward into the even smaller passageway, and the other two move in after me. The hatch slams shut behind us, and we scramble to the end. Finally reaching it, we squeeze out of the opening, and Anakin closes it, sealing it with his lightsaber.
"That won't hold when the fuel hits those power dischargers," warns Obi-Wan.
"The blast will break the hull. This side's pressurized," Anakin insists.
"You still have much to learn, Anakin," Obi-Wan replies, jumping away from the wall as an explosion rings out. Nothing happens.
"... Alright, you win. I have much to learn," he concludes. Anakin grins.
"Let's get going," I advise, bolting down the hallway. This ship isn't going to last much longer, and I have no desire for it to take us with it. Now, time to get back to the turbolift and try to get to the right room, this time.
My apprehension skyrockets as I suddenly realize that we're about to exit the turbolift into the room where Palpatine is being kept. The moment has arrived. Our chance to save the galaxy, or doom it, whichever. I quickly force myself to remain calm again. He cannot sense this coming.
The turbolift finally jolts to a stop, and the door slides open to reveal a large room. On the far side, Palpatine is stun cuffed to a very fancy chair with a nice view out the large viewports of the space battle still continuing outside. What a pleasant place to keep a prisoner. I suppose it's truly enjoyable to watch the space battle.
We walk across the room, heading for him. I struggle to keep the anger surging through me in check. I don't need to mess up and do something incredibly stupid. We can't risk failure. As we walk closer to Palpatine, even through the shielding I can sense Anakin's growing rage. That's the last thing we need. He has to be thinking clearly if this is going to work. Maybe telling him what Sidious did at the end of the time I was in the future wasn't the wisest of decisions. Because I have the distinct feeling that he's about to do something terribly stupid.
"We know who you are, Sidious," growls Anakin, suddenly igniting his lightsaber and swinging for Palpatine's head. A sudden Force-shove – not from the very startled, angry, and now exposed Sith Master – sends Anakin flying across the room. Obi-Wan and I whirl around to see Dooku jumping down from the deck on the other side of the room. No, no, no, no. This was not what I meant when I suggested we just kill him anyway. Too late for regrets now. There's no going back.
Dread overwhelms me as I shift into my fighting stance, igniting my lightsabers. Obi-Wan does the same. Sidious – and Dooku – clearly already realized their plan has been found out. Dooku ignites his lightsaber and uses the Force to open the stun cuffs on Sidious who promptly stands up, glaring daggers into us.
"You have overestimated your own abilities. This will be the last mistake you ever make," threatens Sidious darkly as Anakin scrambles to his feet again, eyes darting between the two Sith.
Lightning leaps from Dooku's fingers at Anakin who hastily blocks it with his lightsaber.
Suddenly, I'm elsewhere, stranded back in my own memories, watching as the lightning pours through Anakin's body, watching helplessly as he collapses next to the shaft, life draining rapidly. No. I will not let that happen. Rage burns through me, and I let it come, not concerned with using the full extent of the Force. I leap across the room towards Dooku. He immediately lets up his lightning assault and swings his blade for me as Sidious whirls on the other two and unleashes a barrage of lightning at them.
I attack Dooku full force, simultaneously swinging both my lightsabers at him. He parries them easily, but I don't let up the strength of my blows. Even if this isn't a fight I have to win, I need to keep him busy enough for Anakin and Obi-Wan to have time to kill Sidious. We can't afford to let him escape – which is likely what he'll try to do if he doesn't kill us.
Across the room, Sidious has pulled a lightsaber from who-knows-where to defend himself against the two Jedi. I assume he must have been keeping it concealed with him, which is not at all surprising. Sidious throws a Force-shove at Obi-Wan, which only makes Anakin attack him even more fiercely, which unfortunately, is exactly what he's going for.
Two droids I hadn't noticed were there start shooting at Obi-Wan. I spin around, throwing my still-ignited green lightsaber at them, slicing them in half before pulling it back to me and whirling to parry another blow from Dooku.
"Yes, use your anger," goads Sidious, "It gives you focus. Makes you stronger." He quickly swings his lightsaber to parry another blow from Anakin before taking another swing at Obi-Wan who has joined the fight again. Sidious is still easily able to keep up with them. Maybe we did act too hastily.
Meanwhile, Dooku and I continue our fierce struggle, both using the Dark Side to enhance the strength of our blows. "You have impressive control over the Dark Side," remarks Dooku, as our lightsabers catch in a saber-lock, "But this is a fight you will never win." In response I shove him back, breaking the saberlock and our duel continues.
Sidious Force-throws Obi-Wan to the side before lightning shoots out of his fingers, striking Anakin before he has a chance to block it. With a furious growl, I Force-throw Dooku across the room also, leaping over to where Sidious continues electrocuting Anakin and blocking it with my lightsabers crossed in front of me.
Dooku scrambles to his feet, charging across the room but Obi-Wan's blade intercepts his. "Your moves are clumsy, Kenobi, too predictable. You'll have to do better," Dooku chides in the background. I ignore the two, continuing to block the onslaught of lightning.
Just then, I sense a vaguely familiar Force presence approaching just before the turbolift door slides open to reveal Grievous. Anakin, who just stood up behind me, raises a hand, Force-slamming the door shut. I hear a pointless roar from the other side of the wall and the ends of four lightsabers stab through it, beginning to cut a circle. This is not looking good. If we're going to have to fight him, Dooku, and Grievous at once, how are we ever going to win this fight? It's going to be downright impossible. If only there was someone else here. Anyone else here. We should have called for reinforcements.
Igniting his lightsaber again, Anakin charges Sidious who lets up his pointless lightning assault on my lightsabers and attacks him. Dooku Force-kicks Obi-Wan back and lunges at me. I whirl around, meeting his ruby blade, just as Grievous finish cutting his circle and kicks the door down, stomping through.
"Hello there!" Obi-Wan greets Grievous as he stalks towards us, igniting his four lightsabers again and spinning them so fast the colors streak together in a blur.
As I continue to fight Dooku, I manage to force him onto the defensive, drawing on my rising frustration and desperation. As my fear begins to increase, I suddenly sense a surge of danger from behind me. Unbearable pain surges through me as Sidious' lightning crackles into me, throwing me into a nearby wall from the force of it. I collapse on the ground, panting.
Dooku raises his lightsaber, and pointlessly spinning it before swinging it down towards me. I reach out, Force-calling my lightsabers back to me but I know they're never going to get here in time. A blue blade intercepts the red one, a mere second before it could have delivered the killing blow. I can almost feel the heat on my neck.
"This was brave of you, but foolish, boy," Dooku warns. Anakin ignores him, attacking the Count once more and pushing him away from me.
Across the room, Sidious is dashing for one of the doors. He's trying to escape. I nearly freeze in horror for a moment. No. We cannot afford this. Ignoring the pain still lingering, I scramble to my feet and lunge at him. A powerful Force-shove catches me be surprise, and I slam into the wall before I can stop myself. Stars swim in my vision for several moments before I finally manage to push back the dizziness enough to look around. Sidious is gone.