Obi-Wan grimaced as the metal restraints bit into his wrists as the two Geonosian guards, very roughly, yanked hard on the thick chains that bound him, pulling him through the large stone archway and into the room. He stumbled as they did, and then caught himself, blinking his eyes as they adjusted to the bright light in the large, circular chamber.
He looked around, warily; it was a large audience chamber of some kind, and the smooth, brown stone walls rose up to a domed ceiling, where several large, gothic stone carvings looked out from what would be the four corners of the room. Directly ahead of him, a large, ornately carved chair sat on a raised stone platform and, on either side of it, two galleries extended along the walls almost halfway around the chamber, each of them filled to capacity with several hundred Geonosian drones who milled about and chattered anxiously as the guards brought him to the center of the room.
From his seat on the large stone chair, Archduke Poggle the Lesser, regional governor of the Geonosians, watched him carefully as the guards fastened the chains that bound him to two large anchors on either side of him and then quietly took their places near the entrance to the chamber. Directly to his right, near the edge of the observation gallery, Count Dooku stood, silently, with Jango Fett at his side.
The Archduke raised his hands, and the throngs of Geonosians in the chamber galleries fell silent. He turned and, extending his hand toward Dooku, uttered a string of unintelligible clicks and grunts. Obi-Wan turned his attention to Dooku and watched as he nodded politely and looked at the captive Jedi before him.
Obi-Wan looked over at Jango Fett, who stood, quietly, the thumbs of his gloved hands tucked snuggly in his belt. "I thought there were no bounty hunters here, Dooku," he said, sarcastically, looking back to the Count as he took a step towards him.
Dooku looked up at Obi-Wan and smiled, politely. "Master Kenobi," he said, taking several steps toward the center of the room, "you have been charged and found guilty of espionage."
"Charged?" Obi-Wan said, sarcastically, regarding Dooku with a look of contempt. "I wasn't aware I was on trial, Dooku."
"Oh, yes," Dooku said, as he stepped closer to Obi-Wan, wringing his hands, slowly. "I'm afraid that Geonosian justice is swift, my Jedi friend. I'm sorry that I couldn't do more for you, but I'm afraid that you were captured in the act of committing the offense," Dooku said, regarding Obi-Wan with a look of deep concern. "I'm afraid that there's nothing more I can do for you."
"And my I ask what the punishment for my alleged crime is to be?" Obi-Wan asked, making no attempt to mask the contempt in his voice.
Dooku hung his head sadly for just a moment. "I'm afraid you are to be executed," he replied, then looked back at Obi-Wan, his face solemn, forlorn. "I'm sorry, my friend, but I did all that I could."
"Yes," Obi-Wan replied, flatly, "I'm sure you did all you could, Dooku." He looked at Dooku coldly and paused a moment, then continued. "You know you'll never get away with this," he said. "The Jedi Council knows what you're doing. You're committing an act of war."
Dooku looked at Obi-Wan for a long moment, and then turned and walked back to where Jango Fett stood quietly. "The accused has been found guilty and sentence has been pronounced," Dooku said, turning around slowly. He raised his hand and gestured to the two guards near the chamber's entrance. "Let the execution begin."
As the Geonosians in the observation gallery began to hoot and wave their long, taloned arms wildly, the guards made their way to the center of the room and unfastened the chains that bound Obi-Wan. "Take him away," Dooku said, coldly, as the two guards led Obi-Wan from the center of the room and toward the chamber's entrance.
The wispy, brown clouds moved quickly through the dusky, gold Geonosian sky, as the late evening sun cast long shadows from the towering coliseum walls onto the sandy floor of the massive outdoor arena. This place seemed familiar to him, he thought, as Anakin looked out from the shadows of the massive archway where he and Padmé had concealed themselves. No wonder, he thought, since so much of the planet seemed to be covered in rock and sand, much like his home planet of Tatooine.
He carefully studied the massive execution arena. Quietly and as swiftly as they could, they had followed several battalions of Geonosian guards through the maze of tunnels to this place and, judging from it's size and the hundreds of Geonosians that filled the massive arena, they knew that this must be the place where they intended to carry out Obi-Wan's execution. They had concealed themselves in the shadows, directly across from the three large, circular pillars in the center of the massive arena.
He felt grains of sand pelt his cheek as a gust of hot, dry air blew past them. He was tired of sand, he thought to himself, as he shifted his attention and looked at Padmé as she knelt on one knee in front of him, looking cautiously out from their hiding place. He missed green, missed the warm, moist air of Naboo; suddenly, he longed for the deep green meadow behind her home, and for the soft sounds of the clear, blue river that wound its way through it.
He looked fondly at his beautiful young wife for a long moment. He knew how brave she was; indeed, he had watched her not long before, as she had fearlessly distracted the two guards in the dark corridor when they had retrieved Obi-Wan's weapon. She was strong, that much he knew, and, in many ways, more so than he. He had always admired her strong spirit and willingness to fight, ever since he had first met her all those years ago.
But now, he wanted to take her home, to get her away from this dangerous place. All of his life, he had longed for nothing more than to be a Jedi, and to live a life filled with adventure, danger, and excitement. Even as a child, he had thrilled to the adventure and danger of the pod races that Watto made him participate in; at those incredible speeds, he had never felt more alive than when death was only a simple wrong turn or failed mechanical part away. His own wants and desires had always been his main concern; after all, he had never had any family or loved ones to consider before. True, he had always sought to please Obi-Wan, to make him proud of him. Obi-Wan had been the only father he had ever known, and he loved him, he knew that. But he was his master, and their relationship had always been more of student and mentor rather than father and son, even though he had always thought of him as such.
Now, though, as they prepared to attempt to rescue Obi-Wan and face danger once again, his heart longed for nothing more than to have Padmé safe at home, to hold her safe and secure in his arms, to never have her face such a dangerous situation again.
Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder, and she looked over her shoulder up at him as he smiled softly at her. "Are you okay?" she asked, placing her hand gently on his as he gazed at her.
"Yeah," Anakin said, taking a deep breath and smiling back at her. "I'm fine." He paused for a moment, his eyes gazing deeply into hers. "All of a sudden," he said, softly, "I just wish we were home, by the river."
Padmé smiled at him lovingly; she knew that he was thinking of the time they had spent in each other's arms by the river on their wedding day. She took his hand from her shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Don't worry," she said, as she kissed his hand gently. "We'll be going home soon." She smiled up at him, her eyes shining brightly. "And the first thing we're going to do," she said with a warm smile, "is take our blanket and go back to our spot in the meadow."
"Promise?" Anakin asked, smiling warmly at her.
"You'd better believe it," Padmé sighed, and then she gently kissed his hand again.
They looked at each other silently, for a long time, until the quiet, romantic moment was broken by the long, low cry of two horns sounding near the head of the arena.
Anakin took a step closer to Padmé, crouching low behind her, as they both turned and looked out into the massive arena as the hundreds of Geonosians in the gigantic stone theatre began to whoop and chant loudly. They looked toward the far end of the arena and watched as, slowly and ceremoniously, Archduke Poggle the Lesser strode slowly through the entrance near the main archducal viewing box and took his place near the center of the railing, overlooking the sandy floor of the arena. Directly behind him followed the tall, dark figure of Count Dooku, and, as he took his place to the left of the Archduke, Jango Fett, his armor shining brightly in the setting sunlight, came and stood directly behind him, followed closely by young Boba.
Padmé's eyes opened wide as she saw the next two figures that walked slowly through the entrance and onto the viewing platform. "Anakin!" she said, reaching up and taking his hand from her shoulder and squeezing it tightly. "Do you see that?"
Anakin nodded as he watched, amazed, as Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray and his aid walked up and bowed slightly to the Archduke, and then took their place to the right of his position, directly across from Count Dooku and Jango Fett. "That's Nute Gunray," he said, slowly, turning to look at Padmé as she looked over her shoulder at him. "This just gets better and better all the time. What's he doing here?"
"I don't know," Padmé said, turning and looking back toward the entourage assembled on the viewing platform. "He was supposed to be removed as Viceroy of the Trade Federation after the blockade failed ten years ago," she said, "but they never replaced him. Somehow, he managed to stay in power."
Padmé turned her attention back to the viewing platform, just in time to see Poggle the Lesser take a step toward the railing in front of him. "Something's happening," she said, still holding onto Anakin's hand.
Suddenly, the Archduke raised his hands and, almost instantly, the massive complex fell silent. He looked around the complex briefly, and then, he uttered a long series of clicks and grunts in his native tongue, and, as they echoed through the loudspeakers in the coliseum, the massive throng of Geonosians erupted into loud cheers.
Anakin and Padmé both turned and watched as, directly across from them, two Geonosian soldiers, armed with long, sharp spears, suddenly took their place on either side of a large, heavy metal door. As they did, the door began to slowly open, and the din of roars and cheers in the massive theatre grew to a fevered pitch.
Padmé squeezed Anakin's hand tightly as, lead by two Geonosian guards, Obi-Wan was lead through the door and out into the bright, evening sun. "Ani," she said, softly, as she felt him place his other hand tightly on her shoulder.
"I know," he said quietly, as he watched his mentor look helplessly around the massive arena, still blinking his eyes in the bright sunlight, as he was lead slowly to the large, stone pillar near the center of the arena. As he reached it, the two Geonosian guards pushed him, roughly, against the stone pillar and, pulling his arms high above his head, one of the guards flapped his wings and, lifting himself into the air and to the top of the pillar, fastened the chains that bound Obi-Wan to a large, metal cleat at the top of the pillar.
As he reached it, the two Geonosian guards pushed him, roughly, against the stone pillar and, pulling his arms high above his head, one of the guards flapped his wings and, lifting himself into the air and to the top of the pillar, fastened the chains securely to the cleat that protruded from the top of it.
Anakin watched as his master looked up at the chains that bound him and tugged at them, fruitlessly, as the Geonosian guards began to make their way back toward the heavy metal doorway.
Suddenly, the sounds of drums began to echo through the massive arena, and the throngs of Geonosians drove the din of shouts even higher. Padmé and Anakin watched as, slowly, a large metal gate, nearly fifteen meters high and at least that much across, began to lift slowly, directly below the viewing platform on which Dooku and the others stood watching the helpless Jedi Knight struggle against the chains that bound him.
Anakin rose to his feet and, quietly, took a step closer to the door, kneeling directly in front of Padmé, watching the gate intently. Padmé pulled close to him, her hand holding tightly to his arm, as they both watched the gate lift itself the last few meters into its fully open position. In stunned silence, they both watched, in disbelief, as huge, crablike legs began to emerge slowly from the darkness inside the open gate.
The creature was an acklay. Standing a full ten meters tall, it was massive, its huge, round body held several meters from the ground by eight large, sharp tipped, crablike legs. It's huge, hairy body was topped by a long, slender neck, and its eyes searched the arena wildly, as its huge, wide mouth began to open in a loud shriek, revealing the massive, sharp teeth inside it. Behind it, two Geonosian guards on huge, doglike mounts followed at a distance, as they reached forward with long, electric probes and struck the creature near its rear, drawing huge blue arcs of electricity as they did so.
The creature was obviously angered by the painful electric shocks, and it turned quickly and snapped wildly at the two Geonosians, shrieking loudly. They withdrew for a moment, and then, lowering the probes toward the creature again, they urged it out into the arena, as the coliseum filled with excited cries and cheers.
Padmé felt her heart begin to sink as she looked, in disbelief, at the creature as it snapped wildly once again at one of the guards, narrowly missing it. "Oh, Ani," she said, her voice trembling as she spoke, "What are we going to do?"
"We've got to get him free," Anakin said, never taking his eyes from the massive creature as it struck again, with a loud shriek, at the other guard. He turned and looked at Obi-Wan as he stood, helpless, watching the creature from the pillar in the center of the arena. "He'll never have a chance," Anakin said, "not with his hands bound like that."
Anakin reached under his tunic and retrieved his lightsaber from his belt. Holding it tightly in his hand, he turned and looked at Padmé, as she looked deeply into his eyes. "I've got to get him free, Padmé," Anakin said, his eyes searching hers. "Or he's as good as dead."
Padmé gazed deeply into his eyes for a moment, and then nodded, slowly, and reached down and drew her blaster from the holster at her hip. "Go," she said, her eyes never leaving his. "I'll give you all the cover I can from here."
Anakin smiled at her softly. "Don't worry," he said, gazing deeply into her eyes, and then he leaned forward and kissed her, passionately.
Padmé returned his kiss, her eyes shut tightly, as she reached up with her free hand and ran her fingers gently through his hair. After a long moment, their lips parted, and she opened her eyes and looked at him, fondly. "Be careful," she said, softly.
Anakin smiled at her, and then turned and looked back out toward the arena. The creature turned slowly back toward the open arena, as the two Geonosian guards moved back toward the wall near the viewing platform. Its eyes searched the arena quickly, and it suddenly froze as it saw the helpless Jedi near the center of the arena and began to take a wary step toward him.
Obi-Wan looked at the creature as it studied him from a distance, and then began to take a step toward him, its long, spiked legs driving deep into the coarse sand as it walked. He felt his own stomach begin to churn with despair as, over and over, he yanked, as hard as he could, against the heavy chains that bound him. This doesn't look good at all, he thought to himself, as the creature suddenly leaned its head forward and opened its mouth, its sharp teeth dripping with saliva as it shrieked loudly at him. As it did, the throngs of Geonosians roared with delight.
Anakin looked quickly around the arena; there didn't seem to be many armed guards, only a few placed at points along the railing around the viewing area. He turned and looked back at Padmé. "Do you see the guards?" he asked, turning to look at her.
Padmé looked quickly around the railing of the arena. "Yes," she said with a nod. "I'll take care of them. You go free Obi-Wan."
Anakin smiled at her and then, rising to his feet and taking a long deep breath, he bolted out of the archway's shadow and into the arena toward Obi-Wan.
Count Dooku watched with a smile as Obi-Wan struggled in vain against the heavy chains that bound him. He reached into the Dark Side, stretching out his feeling toward him; he could feel the fear that was overtaking him, could sense the dread that built in the captive Jedi as the massive creature began to move slowly toward him. He closed his eyes and allowed it to flow through him, a grim, contented smile on his face.
Suddenly, he heard the Geonosian throngs begin to scream and yell wildly, and he felt a strange tremor in the Force; it was unfamiliar, a strong Jedi presence that he had never felt before. He opened his eyes and looked out into the arena, just in time to see a dark-clad figure running quickly across the sandy floor toward Obi-Wan, just as the brilliant blue blade of a lightsaber blazed to life in his hand as he ran.
Dooku turned and looked to his side as, quickly, Jango Fett leveled his blaster rifle, and began to take aim at the mysterious figure that closed in on Obi-Wan. Quietly and swiftly, Dooku raised his hand and placed it on Jango's weapon, pushing it down slowly as the bounty hunter turned and looked at the Count.
"Well, well," Dooku said with a smile, "it would seem that Master Kenobi has friends, after all." He nodded at Jango, and Jango slowly placed his weapon back on his shoulder, and followed Dooku's gaze back out into the arena.
Obi-Wan looked up at the cleat that bound him to the pillar once again, and, reaching into the Force, pulled against the heavy metals chains with all his might; it was no use, he thought – the chains were simply too thick and too strong.
Suddenly, he saw something out of the corner of his eye, and sensed a familiar presence; as he turned, he looked up in amazement just in time to see the bright blue blade of Anakin's lightsaber strike the heavy chain directly over his head, sending a cascade of glowing red sparks raining to the sandy ground around his feet.
Obi-Wan spun around, leaning back against the pillar to catch himself, as his arms fell free in front of him. His hands still bound in the shackles that held him, he looked, shocked and amazed, as Anakin turned and deflected several laser bolts away from his master as the guards around the arena's railing began to fire are him.
Anakin turned around quickly and looked at his mentor. "Your hands, Master," he said, as he turned and deflected another series of laser blasts.
Obi-Wan nodded, and held his hands out away from him, and, quickly, Anakin turned and with a quick, smooth thrust, cut through the metal shackles that bound Obi-Wan's hands, sending them tumbling amid an array of brilliant sparks to the ground at his feet.
"You're late," Obi-Wan chided. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd gotten my message," he said, ducking behind Anakin as he deflected yet another volley of laser blasts.
"It's good to see you too, Master," Anakin sighed, shaking his head. "Don't worry, we got your message, and we retransmitted it just like you requested." He turned, quickly, just in time to deflect another blast, sending it harmlessly into the ground. He looked back up to the Geonosian who fired at him and watched as, suddenly, a laser blast from the archway where he and Padmé had hidden struck the guard squarely in the chest, sending him tumbling over the railing.
Obi-Wan watched as Anakin reached under his tunic and quickly produced his mentor's weapon, and then turned to regard his master with a grin. "Try not to lose this again, Master," Anakin said, tossing the weapon to him. "This weapon is your life, you know."
Obi-Wan regarded his young padawan with a sarcastic smile. "Very funny," he said, quickly snatching the weapon from the air; as he did, it's brilliant emerald green blade blazed to life, and he turned back, just in time to see the massive acklay approaching them quickly.
Jango Fett turned and looked toward the massive archway directly across the arena; he was sure he'd seen something, and, as he watched closely, he saw another bright orange energy bolt surge across the massive complex. His eyes hadn't deceived him, after all – someone else was there. Quickly, he raised his right arm up in front of him and, pressing a button on the small transmitter above his gloved wrist, he began to speak quietly.
Obi-Wan spun around quickly, just in time to see Anakin deflect yet another series of laser blasts, as the acklay closed on them. The massive creature stopped, just a few meters from them and, shrieking loudly, it raised one if it's sharp, front legs high into the air and struck out viciously at him. Obi-Wan dodged the massive claw as it surged past him, burying itself deep in the coarse sand. As he moved quickly to the side, he brought his saber around and into the middle joint of the creature's outstretched leg.
With a horrifying shriek of pain, the creature staggered to the side, and then drew itself back from him, raising the cleanly cut leg high in the air as it recoiled in pain. Obi-Wan leapt to the other side, his saber moving in smooth, circular motions as he struck the creature again, and then a second time. With two more of its legs now shortened by half, the creature screamed again in pain and collapsed, thrashing wildly, onto the cold hard floor of the arena. Around them, the throngs of Geonosians screamed and cried wildly, obviously upset at this turn of events.
Nute Gunray turned to Count Dooku, obviously upset. "This is wrong," he said, angrily. "You've failed to bring me the Senator, and now this Jedi will escape," he said. "Kill them, immediately."
Count Dooku raised his hand and turned to regard the agitated Gunray. "Patience, Viceroy," he said, coolly. "They will die." Dooku turned and nodded to Jango Fett, who stood quietly beside him, and Jango reached into his belt and produced a small control device. He flipped a switch on the device, and then pressed a large yellow button in the center, and then returned it to his belt.
Obi-Wan approached the fallen creature, and it snapped at him furiously with its jaws as it writhed in pain. Stepping quickly to the side to avoid the gaping maw, Obi-Wan spun his blade quickly, and brought it down cleanly into the creature's body, directly behind its head. With a final cry of pain, the aklay collapsed and lay still on the sandy ground.
Obi-Wan turned and looked at Anakin as he spun quickly and deflected yet another bolt of energy back toward the guard from which it had come, and then turned to his mentor. "This way, Master," he said, motioning to Obi-Wan, "we need to get out of here."
Anakin and Obi-Wan heard a noise behind them, and they turned back toward the massive iron gate through which the acklay had come, just in time to see six Droidekas roll quickly through the massive opening. With amazing speed, they rolled through the sand and took positions around the two Jedi, unfolding themselves quickly, their blue energy shields blazing to life as they brought their weapons to bear on them.
From the shadows of the archway where she stood, Padmé watched with a growing sense of despair as she watched Anakin and Obi-Wan turn, back-to-back, their weapons glowing brightly, to face the mechanized warriors that surrounded them. There had to be something she could do, someway that she could help them.
Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other, and Anakin smiled at his mentor weakly. "Well," he said, his voice sullen, "it was a good try, anyway."
Obi-Wan smiled back at his young padawan. "It was a very good try," he said, smiling at him approvingly.
Count Dooku looked out at the two young Jedi and smiled grimly. He turned, and, raising his hand, gave Jango the signal to activate the Droidekas.
Suddenly, Jango looked down as a brilliant, purple shaft of light appeared from seemingly nowhere and swung, swiftly toward his head, stopping only a few centimeters from his neck. Jango froze and looked slowly toward the dark robed figure that stood beside him.
Count Dooku turned slowly, and regarded the tall figure beside him with a smile. "Master Windu," he said, politely, "how nice of you to join us."
Mace Windu turned and looked at Dooku, coldly. "Sorry to disappoint you, Dooku," he said, flatly, and then turned and looked back at his blade, which hummed just below Jango's exposed neck.
"Oh no, my Jedi friend," Dooku replied, politely. "It's not me who should be disappointed, but you," he said, gesturing to the spot where Anakin and Obi-Wan stood, surrounded by the Droidekas. "I should think that these two boys of yours could use quite a bit of additional training."
Mace turned and smiled coldly at Dooku. "This party's over," he said, and then raised his free hand high in the air.
Anakin and Obi-Wan looked up into the massive arena as, all around them, several hundred Jedi Knights flung their cloaks from their shoulders, their weapons blazing to life. They looked at each other with a smile as, at the sight of the many brilliant blades glowing around them, the startled Geonosians began to take to the air, chattering wildly, as they began to pour out of the massive arena.
Dooku looked around the complex for a moment, and then turned to regard Mace Windu, his lip curled in a look of amusement. "Brave, but foolish, my old Jedi friend," Dooku said with a smile. "You're impossibly outnumbered."
"I don't think so," Mace replied, shaking his head slowly. "The Geonosians aren't warriors. One Jedi has to be worth at least a hundred Geonosians."
"It's not the Geonosians you should be worried about," Dooku replied, smiling coldly at him. "How well do you think one Jedi will hold up against a thousand Battle Droids?"
Dooku signaled, quickly, to the Archduke, who pressed a button on the control pad near his chair. As he did, a low rumble began to fill the massive complex. Mace Windu turned and looked out as, suddenly, and endless stream of droids began to pour into the complex from the massive iron gate that stood open below them.
Padmé stood up from the place where she stood in the shadows; she couldn't wait here any longer, she couldn't sit by and watch her young husband give his life like this, so hopelessly outnumbered. If they had to die, she thought to herself, then they would die together.
As she stood up, Padmé felt her heart begin to sink as she heard the telltale whine of a blaster pistol powering up near her ear. She froze, and turned, slowly, as the dark clad figure behind her leveled his weapon at her head.
"Well, well," the tall, dark skinned bounty hunter said, gruffly, as he looked at her with a grim smile. "If it isn't Senator Amidala." He smiled broadly at her, as she stood, motionless, as he reached out and took the blaster pistol from her hand.
"What's the matter, Senator?" he said with a sinister laugh. "You always talk so much in the Senate. Why so quiet now?"
Padmé said nothing; she looked slowly back out toward the arena, and she could see Anakin, his back to her, as he watched the droids continue to enter the massive complex. She closed her eyes, reaching deep down into her heart; Anakin, she thought, as she said his name over and over in her mind.
"Come on, Senator," the tall bounty hunter said, gruffly, nudging her shoulder with his blaster pistol. "Let's go. There's somebody here who wants to have a word with you."
Padmé turned and, looking over her shoulder at Anakin one last time, she started down the dark corridor, with the bounty hunter following close behind her.
Anakin stood, his back to Obi-Wan, as he watched the endless line of Battle Droids pour into the arena. His heart raced in his chest, as his mind struggled to find a way out of this mess.
Suddenly, he felt weak, as a cold feeling of despair overcame him. He gasped deeply, and staggered backwards, bumping into Obi-Wan, who stood directly behind him.
Obi-Wan turned and looked at his young padawan, just in time to see him stagger again, and drop to one knee on the ground beside him. He reached down and took Anakin gently by the arm, steadying him. "Anakin," Obi-Wan said, "Anakin, are you all right?"
Anakin stood up, slowly, and turned to his master. "It's Padmé," Anakin said, turning to look at his mentor, and anguished expression on his face. "She's in trouble. Something's happened."
Obi-Wan started to remind him that he was a Jedi, that he needed to keep his mind here, where he was needed, and not to let his personal feelings come between his duty to the Order and the Republic. As he started to speak, he looked at Anakin's face closely, and, for the first time, noticed that his padawan braid was gone.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath; Anakin's message from several days ago flashed through his mind, as he looked at the anguished young man who stood beside him. Even without trying, he could sense the feeling of despair that was beginning to overcome him.
"Go," Obi-Wan said finally, nodding toward the nearby exit, as he looked at Anakin intently.
"Master, I..." Anakin said, his expression sad, apologetic.
"Go," Obi-Wan said again, forcefully. "You've made a choice, Anakin. Your responsibility lies with her now. Go and take care of her." He smiled at him, and then nodded toward Mace Windu as he stood on the observation platform. "We'll take care of this."
Suddenly, up on the observation platform, Jango Fett leapt backwards against the wall, bringing his arm up toward Mace Windu. As he did, he pressed a button on his control pad and, instantly, a small silver tube slid forward from his wrist and, with a surge of heat, a long tongue of flame surged from the metal tube toward the Jedi master.
Mace reacted instantly and, leaping backwards and into the air, he somersaulted off the platform, just as the flames of Jango's weapon ignited the base of his long Jedi robe. As his feet touched the ground, he instantly cast the smoldering robe from his shoulder, raising his weapon immediately to his side.
Dooku waved his hand and, instantly, the Battle Droids began to power up their weapons.
Seeing the Battle Droids begin to arm themselves, Obi-Wan turned and yelled at Anakin. "Go!" he said, forcefully. "Now!"
Anakin smiled back at him, weakly. "I'm sorry, Master," he said. "I'll be back. I promise."
Suddenly, with a speed that caught Obi-Wan completely off guard, Anakin bolted toward the row of Droidekas as they raised their weapons and, with a smooth, powerful leap, he cartwheeled into the air and over the massive droids and ran toward the archway where Padmé had been. As the droids nearest him began to fire, Anakin brought his blade up and swung it smoothly and swiftly, deflecting each blast directly back at his attackers.
Following Anakin's lead, Obi-Wan leapt high into the air and cartwheeled over the nearest Droideka as the Battle Droids began to fire on them. He quickly deflected several shots from the nearest droids that approached him and, with a smooth, fluid motion, he struck several of them down, and then turned to look back toward Anakin.
Obi-Wan watched him as he struck down three of the droids that attacked him swiftly and smoothly, and then, as fast as he had ever seen any Jedi move, make his way through the line of droids and disappear into the archway.
Obi-Wan turned and, as quickly as he could, struck down another droid that fired at him. The battle, it seemed, had begun.
Artoo sat at the communications console onboard the ship, his data probe spinning the control wheels at the console slowly, as he monitored Anakin's comlink; again, he heard nothing but static.
He and Threepio had attempted to follow the path that Anakin and Padmé had taken, into the massive complex, but, after making their way to the end of the long, dark tunnel that they had entered, they had found the door sealed. Unable to find a way to follow them, Artoo had, reluctantly, decided to heed Threepio's suggestion that they return to the ship and wait for further communications from Anakin and Padmé.
Threepio walked up slowly behind the little droid as he continued to scan the comlink's frequency. "Have you been able to pick up anything at all, Artoo?" Threepio asked, as he came and stood beside Artoo.
Artoo swung his dome toward Threepio, and then whistled forlornly as he swung his sensors slowly back and forth.
"Don't worry, Artoo," Threepio said, encouragingly, trying his best to offer some comfort to the little astrodroid. "I'm sure they'll be fine. They're both quite resourceful."
Artoo nodded, slowly, and then turned his attention back to the console, continuing to monitor the silent comlink.
Threepio looked at the little droid for another moment and then, slowly, he turned back to the ship's window and looked out silently at the sandy, barren landscape.
"Although," Threepio finally said, quietly, after a long moment, "I do wish they hadn't had to come to this awful place."
Anakin stopped, just inside the massive, dark tunnel, breathing heavily. Finally clear of the droids and the massive battle that ensued in the main arena, he extinguished the blade of his weapon for just a moment, and then leaned forward, placing his hands on his knees and closing his eyes as he tried to catch his breath. The feeling that had struck him in the arena had been overpowering, and it had taken every bit of strength he had to keep his mind focused and to fight his way clear of the attacking droids and into the dark passageway where Padmé had been.
This couldn't be happening, he thought to himself, as he struggled to fight back the feeling of despair that overwhelmed him. He turned and looked back down the long, dark, corridor; there was no sign of Padmé. He closed his eyes again, his mind racing; he had no idea what, exactly, had happened to her, yet he knew that she was alone, and afraid.
He had to find her, somehow; he opened his eyes again and looked back into the massive complex. It had taken them hours to find their way through the maze of dark tunnels, together. He had to find her, and quickly; but how?
Amid the feelings of hopelessness and despair, his mind suddenly drifted back to the moment just before they had left the ship. She had stopped him, just as they prepared to leave and search for Obi-Wan. He focused on that moment; he could see her face, hear the words that she spoke, feel her hand on his cheek...
You are my source of strength, she had told him.
Let me be yours.
As her words echoed in his mind, he fought back the intense feelings of dread and despair that dogged him. Taking a long, deep breath, he focused his mind and heart on Padmé, reaching out with his feelings toward her with all of his strength, allowing his love and devotion for her to flow through him.
It only took a moment for him to sense her familiar tremor through the Force. Instantly, he opened his eyes wide and bolted down the dark corridor, toward the invisible, yet powerful compass that tugged at his heart.
Nute Gunray made his way quickly through the dark corridor that led from the observation chamber back to the ceremonial audience chamber where Obi-Wan had been tried only a short time before. A satisfied smile spread across the Viceroy's wide, green skinned face as he walked; the Battle Droids that fought the Jedi in the arena above were performing admirably. Surely, he thought to himself, they would be more than a match for the pitifully outnumbered Jedi. The Republic that he had grown to hate over the last ten years, he thought to himself with a sense of satisfaction, would soon be defeated and torn apart.
Even better, though, was the moment for which he now waited. He had hastily left the observation platform above as soon as he had received word from Dooku that, finally, one of Jango Fett's bounty hunters had captured the prize for which he had waited for so very long. He reached into his robe, and slowly produced the long, ceremonial knife that he had concealed there. He looked at it as he walked, turning it slowly over in his large hands, as a sinister smile spread across his face; soon, he thought, he would exact the revenge that he had waited for for so many years. Senator Amidala would suffer; he would see to that. He smiled as he returned the long, sharp blade to its place in his long robes. Certainly, he thought, as he rounded the corner and started down the long stairway that led to the ornate audience chamber, this deal that he had brokered with Count Dooku was turning out better than he had planned.
Padmé winced as the tall, hooded bounty hunter grabbed her by her right arm and shoved her, quite forcefully, past the large, ornate amber glass windows and through the door of the audience chamber. She stumbled as he did so and, unable to catch her balance, she fell hard onto the cold, stone floor.
She looked back over her shoulder as Zeel Graydo closed the door behind them, and then turned to look at her with a sinister grin, bringing his weapon to bear on her once again.
"On your feet, Senator," Zeel said, motioning with the weapon that he kept trained on her. Padmé stood up, slowly, and rubbed her arm as she began to walk toward the center of the massive room. She felt the tip of Zeel's weapon nudge her again, and she stopped and looked back over her shoulder at him, coldly.
"Move," he said, his lips curled into an evil smile. Padmé looked at him for another moment and then, slowly, made her way toward the center of the room.
Zeel walked past her, and then reached down to the floor and picked up the pair of shackles that lay there, chained to one of the anchors near the center of the room. He stepped beside Padmé, roughly taking her arm and placing her wrist into one of the open cuffs; she offered no resistance as he did the same with the other and watched as he snapped the shackles closed and secured them.
Zeel smiled at her again, as she looked at him coldly and stood there, her hands bound in front of her, in silence. "That ought to keep you from getting any ideas of running away," he said, and then laughed gruffly. "I can't have my prize running off before I'm paid, now can I?"
Padmé turned her head and closed her eyes as he leaned toward her, bringing his face close to hers. "Pity that they wanted you alive," he said, as he sniffed her hair and smiled. "I'd have taken great pleasure in killing you myself."
Padmé said nothing, and the grey-skinned bounty hunter laughed as he stood up, looking at her. "Oh well," he said, turning and walking toward the large chair that stood a short distance ahead of them. "Business is business," he said, and then turned and looked at her again, laughing, as he leaned back against the railing in front of the audience galleries.
Padmé heard the door behind her begin to open. She turned around, just in time to see Nute Gunray and his assistant, Rune Haako, walk slowly into the chamber and close the door behind them.
"At long last," Gunray said, smiling broadly, as he began to walk slowly toward the center of the room where Padmé stood, shackled, "It is indeed a pleasure to see you again, Senator."
Padmé watched as Rune Haako turned and, locking the heavy, metal door securely, walked and stood quietly in front of the large, thick paned window, watching with a smile as Nute Gunray walked slowly towards her.
Mace Windu stood with his back to Obi-Wan, as he swung his saber quickly downward, sending the laser blast that approached him back at the droid which fired at him, striking it squarely in the chest, sending the droid collapsing to the sandy ground.
He glanced around the arena; though the ground and tiers above them lay strewn with hundreds of dead Geonosians and destroyed droids, the Jedi were being driven back. No matter how many of the droids they managed to destroy, more seemed to pour into the arena from every entrance. Slowly, individual Jedi were being cut down, simply overwhelmed by the sheer number of droids that attacked them. As their numbers dwindled, they had all retreated toward the center of the arena, tightening the circle in which they continued to fight.
Mace heard the distinct sound of a thruster pack, and he turned his eyes up and toward the viewing platform where Dooku stood, watching the battle. He watched as, launching himself into the air, Jango Fett leapt from the platform and descended quickly into the battle arena.
As Jango's boots touched the sandy ground, he drew his blaster pistols from his belt and turned to face Mace and Obi-Wan. He stood there, for only a moment, and then unleashed a wild barrage of fire toward the two Jedi Knights.
Mace Windu brought his saber up quickly and deflected the laser blasts, sending them back directly at Jango. Jango dove quickly to his side to avoid them, and then, rolling several times through the sand, he rose up on one knee, and began firing wildly at Mace again.
Mace looked at Dooku's troublesome, enigmatic bounty hunter as he crouched there, for just a moment, and then suddenly began to run towards him, his lightsaber swinging gracefully as he deflected each and every blast that Jango fired at him. As he closed the distance between them, Jango stood up, quickly, and began to back away, firing furiously at the Jedi Master as he approached him.
Mace leapt into the air as he reached Jango, catapulting himself high into the air, as he cartwheeled above the frantic bounty hunter. Jango brought his weapon up and fired wildly at him, missing him completely. As Mace's boots touched the ground, Jango turned his weapon toward him and, smoothly and quickly, Mace brought his saber up, neatly severing the forward half of the weapon.
Jango recoiled as his blaster's energy cell exploded in a brilliant array of sparks and white light. It was the last thing he ever saw, as, turning swiftly, Mace Windu brought his blade around and through Jango's neck, sending his helmet, with his head still inside it, rolling to the ground.
Padmé swallowed hard, as she watched Viceroy Gunray walk slowly past her, toward the railing where the tall, hooded bounty hunter stood. He reached into his robe and produced a small pouch, the credits in it jingling heavily as it bounced it in his hand, and then tossed it to Zeel.
"Your reward," Gunray said, as the bounty hunter snatched the pouch from the air with a smile. "You'll find that I have included a small bonus, in addition to the price agreed upon."
Zeel looked at the pouch with a smile, as he weighed it in his hand for a moment, and then placed it in the pocket of his long, dark cloak. "Pleasure doing business with you," he said with a smile, and then looked back to Padmé. "Mind if I stay around to watch?"
"Not at all," Gunray replied, turning his attention from Zeel to Padmé, as she stood, silent and still, in the center of the room.
Padmé finally spoke. "So you're the one," she said, staring at him coldly, "who's been trying to have me killed."
"For a very long time, Senator," Gunray said, smiling smugly at her. "Ever since you first interfered with our blockade ten years ago."
"Surely," Gunray asked, as he walked slowly toward her, "you realized that, sooner or later, you would have to pay dearly for all of the trouble that you have caused us?"
"The trouble I've caused you?" Padmé said, looking at him with disgust and contempt. "If I remember correctly, Viceroy, it was you who launched the illegal blockade against my planet and brought the trouble on yourself."
"That is true," he said, as he walked slowly around the spot where she stood shackled in the center of the room. "But, Senator, it was your meddling that caused our blockade to fail." He took a step closer to her, eyeing her with an angry expression. "Do you have any idea how much your little insurrection and interference cost me?"
"Not enough," she said, looking at him coldly. "It seems you're still Viceroy of the Trade Federation."
Gunray eyed her angrily for a moment, and then smiled as he turned and took a step away from her. "Indeed," he said, "with no small effort on my part."
He turned to look at her again, angrily. "You made it very difficult for me, Senator. Had you not interfered, I would have been much more than Viceroy by now."
"I'm thrilled that I was able to be so helpful," Padmé said flatly, tossing him a sour smile.
"In light of all of the grief that you have caused me over the last ten years," Gunray said, looking away from her once more, "I have been saving a place on my desk for a very special memento. Something to remind me of the past," he said, as he stood still, his back to her, "and yet provide me with hope for the future."
He turned and looked at her, his eyes flashing with hate. "Your head," he said, coldly.
Obi-Wan stood, exhausted, near the center of the massive arena, as he and the remaining Jedi watched the massive army of Battle Droids slowly encircle them. He looked around him, as he struggled to catch his breath; only twenty or so of the two hundred Jedi remained, and he looked, with a sense of growing sadness, at the bodies that lay strewn about the bloodied sand.
He and Mace Windu exchanged glances for a moment, as the remaining Jedi drew together in a tight circle, the massive droid army encircling them. Mace Windu looked up toward the upper tiers of the arena; hundreds more droids trained their weapons on the small group of survivors.
Count Dooku smiled as he looked out over the bloody arena, watching the small circle of Jedi as the droid army herded them into a small area in the center of the massive complex. He raised his hand and, suddenly, the droids stopped their advance, lowering their weapons.
"Master Windu," Dooku called loudly from his position on the observation platform.
Mace and Obi-Wan turned and looked up toward the platform as Dooku's deep voice echoed down to them.
"You have fought gallantly," Dooku said, "worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order."
"Now, it is finished," Dooku said, and then paused for a moment. He looked back out at the small group of Jedi. "Surrender," he said, sadly, "and your lives will be spared."
"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku," Mace Windu shouted back at him, his saber held defiantly at his side.
Dooku nodded, and then slowly raised his hand. "Then, I'm sorry, old friend," he said, his voice laced with sadness. "In that event, I'm afraid you will have to be destroyed."
Obi-Wan looked at the droids as they raised their weapons again, and, instinctively, he squeezed the grip of his saber tightly, as he prepared for what was to come.
Suddenly, the sound of powerful thrusters filled the air above the arena. Obi-Wan looked up, just in time to see a large group of combat gunships clear the top of the arena's walls. As they descended quickly into the arena, the ships began to open fire.
He watched as the first gunship's powerful laser canons cut a massive swath of destruction through the wall of droids, sending parts and droids flying in every direction. As the droid army opened fire, the other ships descended and dropped to the sand near the remaining Jedi, powering up their shield generators as huge numbers of clone troopers began to pour out of the ships and open fire on the droids.
Obi-Wan and Mace looked at each other with a smile as, in the open doorway of the first gunship, they saw a familiar form appear.
"Around the survivors, a perimeter, create," Master Yoda called to the troopers that swarmed onto the arena floor.
As the troopers began to pour out into the arena, the surviving Jedi began to fight their way back towards the gunships. Once the last of the survivors were safely on board, the gunships lifted slowly from the arena floor, their massive laser cannons continuing to destroy huge numbers of droids as they slowly made their way up into the darkening Geonosian sky.
Count Dooku watched, for a moment, as the gunships turned and rose up and out of the arena, and then disappeared over the upper rim of the massive coliseum. He took a deep breath, and then turned quickly and headed back into the archway behind the viewing platform.
Padmé felt her heart begin to pound in her chest as she saw the light reflect on the long, gleaming blade of the ceremonial knife Nute Gunray had produced from his tunic, and her breath came fast and shallow as he took a step towards her. She instinctively took a step back, but the chain that bound her to the anchor held her fast.
"Now, Senator Amidala," he said with a grim smile, taking another step closer to her. "It is time for you to die."
Padmé felt tears begin to sting her eyes. Strange, she thought to herself, that now, as she knew she was going to die, she suddenly realized she cared nothing for herself. All of her thoughts were of Anakin, of how much she loved him. Her heart ached as she thought of how sad he was going to be, of how much he would miss her. She closed her eyes tightly for a moment, and a single tear rolled slowly down her cheek. If only, she thought to herself, she had been able to tell him one last time how much she loved him, how much he meant to her.
She opened her eyes again and looked at Gunray through the tears that stood in them, as the Viceroy stood in front of her, the hilt of his blade held tightly in his hand.
She stared directly into his cold, unfeeling eyes as she spoke. "My name," she said, softly, "is Skywalker."
Suddenly, the silence in the room was broken by the explosive sound of shattered glass. Gunray turned around and watched, in shocked amazement, as a dark clad figure leapt with incredible force through the thick, amber glass and into the chamber, sending huge shards of glass and metal framework flying through the air and crashing to the floor all around them.
Rune Haako never knew what hit him, as Anakin's boot struck him directly in the back of his large head as he smashed through the glass, sending Rune sprawling helplessly across the floor, broken glass raining over his unconscious body.
Shocked and surprised, Zeel Graydo reached for his weapon as Anakin's boots hit the cold stone floor, the shards of glass that lay strewn about crunching loudly beneath them. Leveling his weapon at Anakin, he ran quickly toward him, firing wildly at him.
Still shocked and caught completely off guard, Viceroy Gunray recoiled in fear as he saw the brilliant blue blade of Anakin's lightsaber blaze to life and, with a smooth thrust, send the blasts from Zeel's weapon crashing harmlessly into a nearby wall. "A Jedi, here?" he cried, shocked and confused.
"Anakin," Padmé whispered, softly, as she turned and saw Anakin look directly at the stunned Viceroy. As he did, he stretched out his hand toward Gunray, and she watched as the long, silver blade leapt from the Viceroy's hand and flew through the air toward Anakin. Effortlessly, he snatched the weapon from the air and flung it, angrily, toward the hard stone wall, its hilt shattering into pieces as it fell with a metallic ring to the floor.
Zeel sidestepped quickly across the chamber, as he continued to fire wildly at the young Jedi Knight. Anakin turned and deflected each blast, his weapon moving in smooth, fluid motions as he quickly closed the distance to his attacker and then, with amazing speed, he spun quickly and brought his blade around hard and thrust it backwards, driving it cleanly through Zeel's chest.
Zeel looked down, for a moment, at the brilliant blue blade that pierced his body. He looked up, in disbelief, into the fiercely glowing eyes of the young man before him. Anakin looked at him for a moment, and then withdrew his blade quickly as Zeel dropped to his knees, his weapon clattering to the floor. Gunray watched in terror as, with a final, guttural moan, Zeel collapsed at the young Jedi's feet.
Gunray panicked as Anakin turned and ran quickly across the chamber floor toward him. He looked at the young Jedi's face; his expression was fierce and angry, his weapon glowing brightly at his side as he ran. Overcome with fear, Gunray turned to run, and, as he did, he caught his boot on the chain that bound Padmé to the anchor and, with a loud cry of fear, tumbled hard to the rocky floor.
Anakin ran to Padmé's side and quickly cut through the shackles that bound her hands. As they fell with a loud clatter to the floor, Padmé flung her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his shoulder, holding him as tightly as she could.
"Padmé," Anakin said, quietly, as he squeezed his eyes shut, holding her tightly with his left arm. "Are you okay?" he asked, breathing heavily.
Padmé nodded, as she clung to him tightly. "Yes," she said, softly, and she kissed him gently on the cheek, pressing her face close to his. "I am now."
Anakin gently caressed her cheek as she looked up at him. "He's the one, Ani," she said, as she looked into Anakin's eyes, and then turned to look at the fallen Viceroy. "He's the one who's been trying to have me killed."
Panicking, Gunray rolled over onto his back; as he did so, he froze in fear as the humming, brilliant blue blade of Anakin's lightsaber swung toward him, blinding him, as the young Jedi brought it right between the Viceroy's large, black eyes.
Anakin held Padmé close to his side as they turned and looked at Nute Gunray as he lay, cowering, on the cold, hard floor. Anakin looked at him, angrily, as he lowered the tip of his blade so that the Viceroy could see him clearly.
Viceroy Gunray trembled with fear as he looked at the powerful Jedi Knight who stood over him. He realized, suddenly, that it wasn't the blade of the lightsaber that hummed near his throat that frightened him now, but, rather, the cold chill of death that overcame him as he looked into the young Jedi's eyes.
Padmé could feel Anakin's body trembling with anger as he looked at the helpless figure that cowered before him. She turned her eyes back to him as he stared angrily at the Viceroy as he lay, trembling, on the floor in front of them. She gently squeezed his shoulder as she held him, tightly. "Let's go, Ani," she said softly.
Anakin turned and looked at her, as she smiled softly at him. "Let's go," she said again, quietly, gently caressing his cheek.
Anakin took a deep breath as she gazed deeply into his eyes. "Let him go, Ani," she said quietly, gazing lovingly into his eyes. "He's not worth it," she said, and, very gently, she reached down with her other hand and placed it gently on the hand that held his lightsaber. "He can't hurt us anymore," she said softly. "Let him go."
Anakin felt his anger subsiding, as she smiled softly at him as he gazed into her caring, compassionate eyes. He took another deep breath, and turned his attention back to Gunray, as he lay cowering on the hard stone floor.
"If I ever see you again," Anakin said, his eyes flashing in the dim light, "I'll kill you. Do you understand me?"
Nute swallowed hard as he nodded slowly, unable to speak, as Anakin continued. "If anything ever happens to her," he said, his voice trembling as he spoke, slowly, "she won't be there to stop me. And I'll hold you personally responsible. I'll hunt you down to the ends of the galaxy, if I have too, and I'll kill you."
Anakin touched the switch on his saber and, as the blade disappeared into the hilt, he returned his weapon to his belt. He glared at the Viceroy as he lay in fear on the stone floor for another long moment, and then, taking Padmé's hand tightly, they both turned and walked to the door.
Gunray watched them, trembling, as Anakin unlocked the door to the chamber and, turning to look at him one more time, lead Padmé out of the chamber and disappeared down the hall into the darkness.
Count Dooku stood next to the central display table, solemnly watching the massive circular viewscreen in the center of the underground command center. All around him, along the perimeter of the massive room, Geonosians sat at command consoles, feeding instructions to the droid army as they tried to repel the mysterious army that the Jedi had, somehow, managed to produce.
Directly across from Count Dooku, Archduke Poggle the Lesser studied the battle that unfolded before them.
Poggle turned his eyes toward Dooku. "All of our communications have been jammed," he said, in his native tongue. "We are under attack."
"Yes," Dooku replied solemnly, studying the display. "The Jedi seem to have amassed a huge army." He looked up from the viewscreen, taking a long, deep breath. "It doesn't seem possible," he said, thoughtfully, turning his eyes back toward the display. "How could they have come up with such an army so quickly?"
Count Dooku turned and looked over his shoulder, as he heard the massive door to the command center open. He watched curiously as Viceroy Nute Gunray and his assistant Rune Haako hurriedly entered the room; they were both visibly shaken.
"Nice of you to join us, Viceroy," Dooku said, a slight tone of irritation in his deep resonant voice. "I trust that everything went to your satisfaction in the audience chamber?"
Gunray said nothing, as he and Rune both looked at each other in silence for a moment, and then turned back and walked slowly toward the central display table where Dooku and Archduke Poggle the Lesser stood, watching them. Dooku's eyebrow lifted, curiously, as he watched Gunray place his hands on the edge of the table; they were shaking violently.
"Perhaps," Poggle said, as Dooku turned his attention back toward him, "we should send all available droids into battle."
Dooku looked down at the display; the indicators for the massive Republic army continued to increase. "No," Dooku said, shaking his head slowly, "there are too many. They will soon have us surrounded."
The four of them watched, in silence, as the battle continued to unfold on the display in front of them.
Anakin held Padmé's hand tightly as they ran out of the dark passageway and into the waning sunlight outside the massive stone complex. As they made their way out onto the open hillside, they both stopped, in utter shock and amazement, as they looked out over the huge valley that stretched out below them.
As far as they could see, the massive battle raged furiously; huge explosions and weapons fire echoed over the landscape, and the sky filled quickly with dark smoke, casting a surreal shadow onto the barren landscape.
They stood silently, for a moment, as they struggled to take in the size of the massive conflict. It was Padmé who spoke first, as she stood close to Anakin's side, holding tightly to his hand.
"What have they done?" she said, her voice weak with shock and disbelief, as she watched literally thousands of clone troopers and battle droids locked in combat.
Anakin stood in silence another moment. "They've started a war," he said, finally, and then turned and looked at Padmé. "We've got find Master Obi-Wan."
"Can we track him from the ship?" Padmé asked, turning her eyes from the battlefield below toward him.
Anakin reached into his belt and produced his tiny tracking display, switching it on. Together they both looked intently at the tiny blue screen as, suddenly, Obi-Wan's transmitter signal began to flash brightly.
"I think so," Anakin said, pulling the small comlink from his pocket.
Threepio sat quietly in the copilot's chair of their ship, drumming his metal fingers slowly on the ship's main console.
Suddenly, Artoo began to chirp and whistle wildly. Startled, Threepio turned quickly towards where the little droid sat, still monitoring the communications terminal.
"What is it, Artoo?" Threepio asked, climbing from the chair and walking toward the little droid.
Artoo swung his sensor dome toward Threepio, and a long series of excited whistles and beeps ensued. "Master Ani?" Threepio asked, surprised. "Are you sure?"
Artoo spun the control wheels rapidly and, suddenly, Anakin's voice, broken and intermittent, could be heard over the ship's loudspeakers.
"Artoo? Art... This... Anakin. We need you... bring the ship...Obi-Wan...Lock in on my signal..."
Threepio began to wave his arms excitedly. "Well, don't just sit there, you little bucket of bolts," he said, agitatedly. "Master Ani and Miss Padmé are waiting for us!"
Artoo whistled in reply and, quickly, he retracted his data probe from the communications console and rolled to the pilot's station. Threepio hurriedly took a seat in the copilot's chair once again, as Artoo fired the engines and, locking in on Anakin's comlink signal, turned the ship quickly and headed off into the waning sunlight after them.
Count Dooku stood at the display in the command center, along with his three companions, watching the battle continue to unfold in the valley below.
Viceroy Gunray surveyed the display, and then turned to Dooku. "This is not going well at all," he said, his voice still weak and trembling.
Poggle the Lesser spoke, as he kept his eyes transfixed on the display. "We must order a retreat," he said, turning to look back at Dooku. "I am going to send my warriors deep into the catacombs to hide."
Rune Haako finally spoke, from his place beside the Viceroy. "We must get the transports back out into space," turning to look at Gunray as he watched the battle unfold before him.
Count Dooku stood up and took a step back from the table. "I'm going to Coruscant," he said, standing up straight. "My Master will never allow the Republic to get away with this treachery."
Poggle regarded Dooku for a moment, and then crossed the command center to a large holographic schematic station. On the display, a set of plans for a large, planet size weapon revolved slowly. He pressed a button and, after a moment, the display went blank, and a small data cartridge ejected from a tiny slot below it.
He took the cartridge in his hand and turned back toward Dooku. "The Jedi must not find our designs for the ultimate weapon," he said, walking toward Dooku. As he reached him, he handed the small data cartridge to him. "If they have any idea about what we are planning to create," he said, "we are doomed."
Dooku took the cartridge from him and pressed a small button; immediately, the plans appeared above the tiny holographic project built into the small cartridge, and the image of the planet sized device revolved slowly. Dooku looked at it for a long moment. "I will take the designs with me," he said, as he switched the device off again. "They will be much safer on Coruscant, with my Master."
Placing the device in his belt securely, Count Dooku turned and, looking back at the display in the center of the room once more, turned and walked out of the command center, with Nute Gunray and Rune Haako following close behind him.
Our adventure continues shortly...