Title: Hidden Shadows Seeking Light
Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.
Genre: Drama/Mild Angst
Feedback: I would love to get feedback on this story. I would appreciate it if everyone would put down their flame throwers though because this is only my second time out and I know I made mistakes on the first story and have no doubt I will make many on this one. I need constructive criticism so that I will get better not mean comments that will only serve to make me cry. I thank each and every one of the readers who take the time to review this story. I love fan fiction and hope to write stories that can entertain others as much as their stories have entertained me.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21.
Just to a little guide as to what things mean:
/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud
************************************************************
Stupid politicians always vying for more power, more influence, climbing up the ladder to what? "To what?" Palpatine hissed as he rushed through the halls hoping to remain undetected. "Asinine inferior beings that's what they all were." "Think they can rule the universe to they? Idiots." He threw back over his shoulder in the direction of the Senate Hall. Pulling his robes tighter around himself, he continued on his way, his frustration growing. He carefully checked around him before taking the back hallway which gave him access to the proper lifts.
He had felt what had transpired a short time ago. It had occurred during the unnecessary vote allowing more planets to leave the Republic. Of course the planets didn't need Senate approval. It had been a mere formality but a costly one of the dark lord. Had he been able to proceed immediately with his plans for the Chosen One there was no way the man would have realized his potential so quickly. He had planned to tear him a part emotionally and psychologically, but now that the Knight had accepted his position in the Force turning him would require a much more forceful and physical approach. He had felt that leaving the Knight alone with his Master in spite of their history had been a mistake but Dooku had insisted it would speed the process along. Dooku had been a fool.
'Leave him with his Master.' He had said. 'That will do the trick.' Oh it had most certainly done the trick. Of course Palpatine himself had believed given the nature of their history together that Jinn would have been an asset to the process of turning the Knight to the dark. He couldn't really imagine what had transpired between the once padawan and Master, but it was obvious now that Jinn's knowledge of the prophesy had been highly underestimated.
Now everything was ruined unless Sidious could find a way to force the Chosen One to turn. Sidious threw off the smarmy sweetness of his Palpatine persona and transformed into his true self as the lift descended to the bowls of the planet. He had worked too hard for this just to give it up. He knew that Kenobi had weaknesses. He had to exploit those to get to the man. His mind raced through his mental list to see what would give him the greatest advantage over the Knight.
He was loyal, honest, dependable, caring, compassionate and self sacrificing. Sidious sighed there was room to work there but nothing truly jumped out at him. Personally he knew that Kenobi was slightly insecure. He had struggled when he was younger to find his place. Once he found it though he had seemed comfortable enough, but the scars of youth, though easily hidden from the eyes of others, were usually deeper than most and easily reopened. He had been rejected. He had been thrown away like yesterday's refuse. Racing through the man's past he found himself lingering on Qui-Gon's mate. He remembered backs years ago seeing her with a very young Kenobi. They had seemed very fond of each other. Then of course she had been killed. Hadn't there been some blame aimed at the padawan as the cause of her death? It seemed vaguely familiar. Perhaps he could use this as well.
As the lift opened Sidious was not surprised to find thearea vacated. He had sensed the panic from the Senate Chambers. He gritted his teeth as the rage swept through his body. It was just as well they all be killed if this was their loyalty and demeanor in the face of discovery. No more than mere children playing at evil, they disgusted the lord. They were even now fighting for their lives. He supposed that he should have felt sorrow or at the very least regret at knowing that they were falling to the hands of the Jedi, but in all honesty he was relieved. Let the Jedi erase his mistakes. It just left him one less thing to do.
Those who would be killed weren't worthy of his training or his guidance. This was a perfect way to cull out the weak from the strong. He knew that some would escape. It would be interesting to see which those few were. He would use them to build a far more superior order.
Sidious began the trek to his command room knowing full well that Dooku was already there playing lord and master in the hour of their defeat. He had overestimated the man. He had trusted him. That one act of trust now left him with years ahead of him, maneuvering in the rubble which only hours before had been the beginnings of a great Empire.
Dooku's incompetence had cost the dark lord a great deal and he planned on the ex-master paying it all back if it took the rest of his life. A cruel smile etched itself across the man's face as he considered all the options for exacting that payment in full. Then again considering what had been lost, perhaps the fallen Jedi had merely outlived his vitality to the case.
*****************************
He had considered himself a Thicktorian sheep. He was not a sheep. He knew many who blindly followed the orders of their leader. 'Yes Master.'., 'Whatever you say, Master', he sighed in frustration at the mindless ineptitude of it all. What was the point of creating an order of mindless drones? The Jedi were ruled by a Council but were also educated in the art of logical thinking and decision making. Not the sith though, oh no it was all about following orders without question. Sador himself had always found the concept of obedience in direct opposition with the other precepts that he was asked to accept as a member of the order. It seemed only natural that if the sith sat in opposition to everything the Jedi held dear so it seemed more reasonable that disobedience should have been encouraged among their order.
Sidious had done so many things wrong in the eyes of Darth Sador. Trusting Dooku, as his second in command, being the greatest mistake though not the only one the ancient lord had made. It had been obvious even to Sador that the man had his own ambitions that he planned to pursue once the Chosen One was located. He had even withheld the identity of the target for years from what Sador understood. He would never understand why Sidious hadn't killed Dooku immediately upon learning of his treachery. Another mistake no doubt that had cost the lord everything, or at least everything that Sador had ever believed possible. Everything was in ruin now that the Jedi had the Chosen One and Sidious' sheep were racing off blindly to slaughter.
Sador watched as the students in front of him raced desperately to the remote transport station, each knowing that there were only a limited number of ships available and each equally determined to have a seat on one. Sador made a quick detour to his quarters. He had to think. Thinking was his only hope of escaping. He knew that Jedi were here. He had already reasoned that they had tracked the ship somehow. He wasn't sure but felt certain that somehow the Jedi had placed some sort of tracker on the vessel. This bit of inside information was good to know. He imagined that there was quite a number of Knights and Masters now at the station waiting to intercept the fleeing apprentices.
He rummaged through his things filling a pack quickly, shedding his typical garb in exchange for some plausible street wear. He had picked up the clothing some time back. He had felt a prick under his skin causing him to sit down and plan for contingencies in the event that all went wrong. He had felt that possibility unfathomable at the time but now realized that the dark side had wanted him spared. He was grateful for that fact and would spend the rest of his life serving the darkness to thank it for its constant protection.
Glancing a final time around his quarters he saw nothing more that he could possibly need. Shoving the Republic credits deep into an inside pocket, he headed to the opposite side of the complex. He would leave through a hidden tunnel that he had discovered only weeks before. It had been another prick on his conscious by the darkness. Let the sheep be slaughtered. The strong had to survive, it was the only way that the sith could recover, it was the only way that the Jedi would fall, it was the only way for the darkness to endure and overcome. Sador had seen the mistakes of the arrogant lord and would not make them himself. He knew where the other agents of evil were located through out the universe. After this disaster they would feel vulnerable and frightened, just the kind of emotions that a young sith would love to exploit.
*****************************************
"You'll never get away with this." Adi spat feeling the beads of perspiration forming on his forehead and trailing down her temples.
"Get away with what?" Dooku asked humorously. He felt his mind searching desperately for the proper course of action. He wondered how the Knight would react to this turn of events. His feelings for the woman were strong but Dooku had already under estimated the man once, he didn't have the luxury of making that mistake again.
Adi tried her best to work her hands free of the energy binders. Each movement no matter how slight left her gasping for air as the pain shot through her body. She thought about Mace and wondered if he was still alive. She had begged Dooku to stop shocking him. At first it seemed to only encourage the fallen master to increase the torture but finally he had ceased. It was then that he had grabbed her painfully up from where she lay and carried her into what seemed to be an office or command center of sorts.
Her shoulder burned as did her arms and legs as the binders did their work. She felt her muscles constrict then relax only to constrict again pulling her shoulder into various impossible positions given the condition of it. She released the building pain and desperation into the Force and concentrated on her surroundings. If this was the dark lord's office then perhaps her weapon was here somewhere. She scanned the area frantically until he noticed four sabers. She recognized one as being hers and the other as Qui-Gon's, the third brought a smile to her face in spite of her circumstances as it belonged to Obi-Wan, but the fourth she couldn't quite place. It had to be one of the Knight's that had come to assist Mace.
"He will be here soon enough." Dooku interrupted her thoughts as she immediately looked away from the sabers and back to the man.
"He will never fall. He will die first." She stated calmly.
"Yes I'm sure you are right. He is the noble type." Dooku spat the words with great distain. "But will he let you die first? Now that is the question." He smiled wickedly as he revealed his plan.
Adi had suspected as much but somehow hearing it made it real for the first time. She was going to either die today or be the reason that Obi-Wan did. She felt certain if he chose to turn in order to save her, he would have his own death already planned out as well. She felt a lump fill her throat hating her position of weakness. She had come to save him and yet she would be the reason he would be lost. It wasn't fair, but so much in the universe wasn't. It seemed though that it hadn't been too much to ask that they be given a little more time together. Their feelings had grown rapidly once they had finally decided explore a relationship. She had always admired the Knight but now she knew that she loved him. She really loved him. He was everything that she had hoped he would be and more, but now she knew she was within hours of losing him one way or the other.
Looking again at her saber she considered how she might be able to take the decision out of his hands. What use was it to her if she survived this ordeal and he did not? How could she ever go on? How could she ever close her eyes again in slumber knowing that it had been her love for him that had destroyed him once and for all? She felt the solitary tear as it trailed down her cheek and she hoped that Dooku wouldn't notice. This must be why relationships among the Jedi were discouraged. It was so obvious now how vulnerable it left them.
She couldn't be weak. Not now, now ever. She had to endure until she could find a way to either overtake the fallen Jedi or take her own life. There would be a moment of self satisfaction knowing that she had eliminated the sith's last chance at the Chosen One. That moment paled in comparison to all the ones she had hoped to spend in Obi-Wan's arms but she would take it anyway knowing that it would be a way that her love could save him instead of destroying him
She watched as Dooku paced nervously. He stopped every few steps and glanced at the door then back at her then down to the floor. Pacing to and fro like a caged animal. Watching him, she realized that he was in fact a caged animal. He too was held in binders but of a different sort. Though his were invisible, he was just as powerless to free himself from his confinement. Unlike Adi, no one was coming to rescue Dooku. He was in this alone. Seeing his predicament in a new light Adi decided to try a different strategy..
"Don't do this Dooku. You don't belong here. You were once a Jedi. How far you have fallen?" She declared. "Is this what you wanted all those years ago? Is this why you left your Jedi family? "
"My family, what do Jedi know of family?" He shook his head clearing it of regrets. "As for what I wanted." He considered. "What I wanted?" He asked, sarcasm dripping from his tongue. "When was it ever about what I wanted? Has something changed now? Does the Council actually ask what it is that you want?" Adi refused to response at first keeping her face passive refusing to take the man's bait.
"So instead of serving the universe you choose be a slave to the Sith?" She asked incredulously.
"I'd much rather be a servant of the sith than a slave to the Senate." He stared at her. "You think you are so superior to me now don't you my Jedi Master?" He sneered. "How long has it been since you even considered what you wanted?
"It's not about me. It's about-" She began, but he interrupted.
"It's all about the Force. What the mighty all powerful, all knowing, all giving, all taking Force wants right? Oh but sometimes not even that of course you know? It's about Senators, and planetary governments, and keeping everyone happy, and settling for less than what could be achieved. It's about smiling when you feel like screaming and babysitting spoiled bureaucrats. That's the life of a Jedi now. That's what it was like for me in the end. The Force doesn't care about politics but politicians certainly care about the Force." He finished the fatigue evident in his voice.
"So you decided to throw all those meaningless good deeds that you accomplished away and turn to the darkness instead. Brilliant strategy to revive the Order, Dooku. If you can't join them, beat them. Is that it?" She asked bitterly.
"Something like that. Of course my motives for joining were never as heinous as Sidious' I never truly planned on eliminating all the Jedi just the ones who brought us to this point. It was time to rebuild from the ground up. The Council lost sight of our mission decades ago. We were the champions of truth and justice throughout the universe. We were revered. We were honored. We were respected. Now we are no more than window dressing on a shop crumbling with decay and corruption." Adi shook her head.
"You don't believe me?" He asked urgently moving into to her face. "Who do you think is running this magnificent Republic you claim to serve? Who? You've met him before but did you recognize him?" Adi furrowed her brow trying to make sense of the clues Dooku was handing her. "Come on Master Gallia I had more faith in you than this? You are one of the best and the brightest. Why else would Kenobi have selected you to be his unless you were worthy?" Adi bristled slightly at that statement. It was obvious that she didn't enjoy having her personal life on display and yet once Obi- Wan found her that was exactly what was going to happen. She refused to consider that for a moment as she turned back to the cryptic words Dooku was spitting at her.
"When he found you and Qui-Gon didn't you think there was something familiar?" Dooku mocked.
Adi remembered back. It had only been a few long hours ago or at least that's what she thought but then again having been knocked out, she really had no idea how long they had been here. There had been something about her captor's voice. It had been familiar. She had heard that arrogant sickly sweetness before. Was he a fellow Jedi? Perhaps a Council member? She knew immediately that neither guess was correct. It was then that she remembered. It was Palpatine's voice. The Chancellor was the dark lord.
She felt her lungs contract and found herself unable to breathe for a moment as her mind fought to wrap itself around all that this revelation implied. He had been throughout the galaxy on good will missions. He had access to classified information in the Council's records. He had the Council's ear. How many missions had she voted to pursue based solely on this man's request and recommendation? She felt sick. She had been used by him as had the entire Council and no doubt every Senator.
"It's a terrible thing to be played for a fool." Dooku had enjoyed watching the emotions play out over the lovely Master's features. She was shocked and destroyed all in the same moment. "But then again it is a role you fill very well." He continued. She was still trying to deal with the betrayal when the door was activated revealing none other than the man who had orchestrated the entire production.
"My lord." Dooku smiled turning from Adi to address his leader. "It appears we have a bit of a situation here." Sidious ignored the injured Jedi for the moment as he remained riveted on Dooku.
"It appears that we do." He agreed. "WE seem to have underestimated the relationship between Kenobi and Jinn. " Dooku squirmed slightly seeing the scrutiny that the other man was giving him. Sidious passed him now making his way over to confront Adi.
"It was a mistake my lord, but one I'm sure you will find a way to rectify. After all it isn't like we don't still have something that the Knight will want back." Sidious leered at woman his eyes never leaving her's. Adi held his gaze with bold defiance.
"Yes this makes up for a bit of your bumbling but unfortunately not nearly enough." He turned suddenly sending bolts of energy into Dooku's body catching the fallen master completely off guard. The intensity of the beams seemed to be much stronger than what Dooku had managed against Mace.
"But my lord."Dooku pleaded against his pain. "I live but to serve you."
"You serve yourself Dooku, always did, but I never minded much. But now I find you more of a liability and I just cannot tolerate incompetence." Sidiously replied in a humiliating sing song. He then turned to Adi. "Don't you find weakness intolerable?" He hissed leering at her once more.
She glanced up at him then back to where Dooku had ceased to struggle. A few moments later, she knew he was dead.
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SEQUEL???? Yes???? No???? Just curious. Thanks to all of you who reviewed and let me know. That is a huge help. Maybe the overwhelming lack of response is a nice way of saying "No Jesse we don't want a sequel." If so trust me I'll get the message eventually.
I really do appreciate all of you so much. I especially want to thank D. (You know who you are. I didn't know if you would want your name on here or not so I just used your initial.) Your review really lifted my spirits and made me get to writing again after a bit of a disappointing week. Thanks. I was thinking five more chapters about three chapters ago. It now looks like three to five more chapters. Sorry blame the story.it's running the show. Till next week. jesse
Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.
Genre: Drama/Mild Angst
Feedback: I would love to get feedback on this story. I would appreciate it if everyone would put down their flame throwers though because this is only my second time out and I know I made mistakes on the first story and have no doubt I will make many on this one. I need constructive criticism so that I will get better not mean comments that will only serve to make me cry. I thank each and every one of the readers who take the time to review this story. I love fan fiction and hope to write stories that can entertain others as much as their stories have entertained me.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21.
Just to a little guide as to what things mean:
/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud
************************************************************
Stupid politicians always vying for more power, more influence, climbing up the ladder to what? "To what?" Palpatine hissed as he rushed through the halls hoping to remain undetected. "Asinine inferior beings that's what they all were." "Think they can rule the universe to they? Idiots." He threw back over his shoulder in the direction of the Senate Hall. Pulling his robes tighter around himself, he continued on his way, his frustration growing. He carefully checked around him before taking the back hallway which gave him access to the proper lifts.
He had felt what had transpired a short time ago. It had occurred during the unnecessary vote allowing more planets to leave the Republic. Of course the planets didn't need Senate approval. It had been a mere formality but a costly one of the dark lord. Had he been able to proceed immediately with his plans for the Chosen One there was no way the man would have realized his potential so quickly. He had planned to tear him a part emotionally and psychologically, but now that the Knight had accepted his position in the Force turning him would require a much more forceful and physical approach. He had felt that leaving the Knight alone with his Master in spite of their history had been a mistake but Dooku had insisted it would speed the process along. Dooku had been a fool.
'Leave him with his Master.' He had said. 'That will do the trick.' Oh it had most certainly done the trick. Of course Palpatine himself had believed given the nature of their history together that Jinn would have been an asset to the process of turning the Knight to the dark. He couldn't really imagine what had transpired between the once padawan and Master, but it was obvious now that Jinn's knowledge of the prophesy had been highly underestimated.
Now everything was ruined unless Sidious could find a way to force the Chosen One to turn. Sidious threw off the smarmy sweetness of his Palpatine persona and transformed into his true self as the lift descended to the bowls of the planet. He had worked too hard for this just to give it up. He knew that Kenobi had weaknesses. He had to exploit those to get to the man. His mind raced through his mental list to see what would give him the greatest advantage over the Knight.
He was loyal, honest, dependable, caring, compassionate and self sacrificing. Sidious sighed there was room to work there but nothing truly jumped out at him. Personally he knew that Kenobi was slightly insecure. He had struggled when he was younger to find his place. Once he found it though he had seemed comfortable enough, but the scars of youth, though easily hidden from the eyes of others, were usually deeper than most and easily reopened. He had been rejected. He had been thrown away like yesterday's refuse. Racing through the man's past he found himself lingering on Qui-Gon's mate. He remembered backs years ago seeing her with a very young Kenobi. They had seemed very fond of each other. Then of course she had been killed. Hadn't there been some blame aimed at the padawan as the cause of her death? It seemed vaguely familiar. Perhaps he could use this as well.
As the lift opened Sidious was not surprised to find thearea vacated. He had sensed the panic from the Senate Chambers. He gritted his teeth as the rage swept through his body. It was just as well they all be killed if this was their loyalty and demeanor in the face of discovery. No more than mere children playing at evil, they disgusted the lord. They were even now fighting for their lives. He supposed that he should have felt sorrow or at the very least regret at knowing that they were falling to the hands of the Jedi, but in all honesty he was relieved. Let the Jedi erase his mistakes. It just left him one less thing to do.
Those who would be killed weren't worthy of his training or his guidance. This was a perfect way to cull out the weak from the strong. He knew that some would escape. It would be interesting to see which those few were. He would use them to build a far more superior order.
Sidious began the trek to his command room knowing full well that Dooku was already there playing lord and master in the hour of their defeat. He had overestimated the man. He had trusted him. That one act of trust now left him with years ahead of him, maneuvering in the rubble which only hours before had been the beginnings of a great Empire.
Dooku's incompetence had cost the dark lord a great deal and he planned on the ex-master paying it all back if it took the rest of his life. A cruel smile etched itself across the man's face as he considered all the options for exacting that payment in full. Then again considering what had been lost, perhaps the fallen Jedi had merely outlived his vitality to the case.
*****************************
He had considered himself a Thicktorian sheep. He was not a sheep. He knew many who blindly followed the orders of their leader. 'Yes Master.'., 'Whatever you say, Master', he sighed in frustration at the mindless ineptitude of it all. What was the point of creating an order of mindless drones? The Jedi were ruled by a Council but were also educated in the art of logical thinking and decision making. Not the sith though, oh no it was all about following orders without question. Sador himself had always found the concept of obedience in direct opposition with the other precepts that he was asked to accept as a member of the order. It seemed only natural that if the sith sat in opposition to everything the Jedi held dear so it seemed more reasonable that disobedience should have been encouraged among their order.
Sidious had done so many things wrong in the eyes of Darth Sador. Trusting Dooku, as his second in command, being the greatest mistake though not the only one the ancient lord had made. It had been obvious even to Sador that the man had his own ambitions that he planned to pursue once the Chosen One was located. He had even withheld the identity of the target for years from what Sador understood. He would never understand why Sidious hadn't killed Dooku immediately upon learning of his treachery. Another mistake no doubt that had cost the lord everything, or at least everything that Sador had ever believed possible. Everything was in ruin now that the Jedi had the Chosen One and Sidious' sheep were racing off blindly to slaughter.
Sador watched as the students in front of him raced desperately to the remote transport station, each knowing that there were only a limited number of ships available and each equally determined to have a seat on one. Sador made a quick detour to his quarters. He had to think. Thinking was his only hope of escaping. He knew that Jedi were here. He had already reasoned that they had tracked the ship somehow. He wasn't sure but felt certain that somehow the Jedi had placed some sort of tracker on the vessel. This bit of inside information was good to know. He imagined that there was quite a number of Knights and Masters now at the station waiting to intercept the fleeing apprentices.
He rummaged through his things filling a pack quickly, shedding his typical garb in exchange for some plausible street wear. He had picked up the clothing some time back. He had felt a prick under his skin causing him to sit down and plan for contingencies in the event that all went wrong. He had felt that possibility unfathomable at the time but now realized that the dark side had wanted him spared. He was grateful for that fact and would spend the rest of his life serving the darkness to thank it for its constant protection.
Glancing a final time around his quarters he saw nothing more that he could possibly need. Shoving the Republic credits deep into an inside pocket, he headed to the opposite side of the complex. He would leave through a hidden tunnel that he had discovered only weeks before. It had been another prick on his conscious by the darkness. Let the sheep be slaughtered. The strong had to survive, it was the only way that the sith could recover, it was the only way that the Jedi would fall, it was the only way for the darkness to endure and overcome. Sador had seen the mistakes of the arrogant lord and would not make them himself. He knew where the other agents of evil were located through out the universe. After this disaster they would feel vulnerable and frightened, just the kind of emotions that a young sith would love to exploit.
*****************************************
"You'll never get away with this." Adi spat feeling the beads of perspiration forming on his forehead and trailing down her temples.
"Get away with what?" Dooku asked humorously. He felt his mind searching desperately for the proper course of action. He wondered how the Knight would react to this turn of events. His feelings for the woman were strong but Dooku had already under estimated the man once, he didn't have the luxury of making that mistake again.
Adi tried her best to work her hands free of the energy binders. Each movement no matter how slight left her gasping for air as the pain shot through her body. She thought about Mace and wondered if he was still alive. She had begged Dooku to stop shocking him. At first it seemed to only encourage the fallen master to increase the torture but finally he had ceased. It was then that he had grabbed her painfully up from where she lay and carried her into what seemed to be an office or command center of sorts.
Her shoulder burned as did her arms and legs as the binders did their work. She felt her muscles constrict then relax only to constrict again pulling her shoulder into various impossible positions given the condition of it. She released the building pain and desperation into the Force and concentrated on her surroundings. If this was the dark lord's office then perhaps her weapon was here somewhere. She scanned the area frantically until he noticed four sabers. She recognized one as being hers and the other as Qui-Gon's, the third brought a smile to her face in spite of her circumstances as it belonged to Obi-Wan, but the fourth she couldn't quite place. It had to be one of the Knight's that had come to assist Mace.
"He will be here soon enough." Dooku interrupted her thoughts as she immediately looked away from the sabers and back to the man.
"He will never fall. He will die first." She stated calmly.
"Yes I'm sure you are right. He is the noble type." Dooku spat the words with great distain. "But will he let you die first? Now that is the question." He smiled wickedly as he revealed his plan.
Adi had suspected as much but somehow hearing it made it real for the first time. She was going to either die today or be the reason that Obi-Wan did. She felt certain if he chose to turn in order to save her, he would have his own death already planned out as well. She felt a lump fill her throat hating her position of weakness. She had come to save him and yet she would be the reason he would be lost. It wasn't fair, but so much in the universe wasn't. It seemed though that it hadn't been too much to ask that they be given a little more time together. Their feelings had grown rapidly once they had finally decided explore a relationship. She had always admired the Knight but now she knew that she loved him. She really loved him. He was everything that she had hoped he would be and more, but now she knew she was within hours of losing him one way or the other.
Looking again at her saber she considered how she might be able to take the decision out of his hands. What use was it to her if she survived this ordeal and he did not? How could she ever go on? How could she ever close her eyes again in slumber knowing that it had been her love for him that had destroyed him once and for all? She felt the solitary tear as it trailed down her cheek and she hoped that Dooku wouldn't notice. This must be why relationships among the Jedi were discouraged. It was so obvious now how vulnerable it left them.
She couldn't be weak. Not now, now ever. She had to endure until she could find a way to either overtake the fallen Jedi or take her own life. There would be a moment of self satisfaction knowing that she had eliminated the sith's last chance at the Chosen One. That moment paled in comparison to all the ones she had hoped to spend in Obi-Wan's arms but she would take it anyway knowing that it would be a way that her love could save him instead of destroying him
She watched as Dooku paced nervously. He stopped every few steps and glanced at the door then back at her then down to the floor. Pacing to and fro like a caged animal. Watching him, she realized that he was in fact a caged animal. He too was held in binders but of a different sort. Though his were invisible, he was just as powerless to free himself from his confinement. Unlike Adi, no one was coming to rescue Dooku. He was in this alone. Seeing his predicament in a new light Adi decided to try a different strategy..
"Don't do this Dooku. You don't belong here. You were once a Jedi. How far you have fallen?" She declared. "Is this what you wanted all those years ago? Is this why you left your Jedi family? "
"My family, what do Jedi know of family?" He shook his head clearing it of regrets. "As for what I wanted." He considered. "What I wanted?" He asked, sarcasm dripping from his tongue. "When was it ever about what I wanted? Has something changed now? Does the Council actually ask what it is that you want?" Adi refused to response at first keeping her face passive refusing to take the man's bait.
"So instead of serving the universe you choose be a slave to the Sith?" She asked incredulously.
"I'd much rather be a servant of the sith than a slave to the Senate." He stared at her. "You think you are so superior to me now don't you my Jedi Master?" He sneered. "How long has it been since you even considered what you wanted?
"It's not about me. It's about-" She began, but he interrupted.
"It's all about the Force. What the mighty all powerful, all knowing, all giving, all taking Force wants right? Oh but sometimes not even that of course you know? It's about Senators, and planetary governments, and keeping everyone happy, and settling for less than what could be achieved. It's about smiling when you feel like screaming and babysitting spoiled bureaucrats. That's the life of a Jedi now. That's what it was like for me in the end. The Force doesn't care about politics but politicians certainly care about the Force." He finished the fatigue evident in his voice.
"So you decided to throw all those meaningless good deeds that you accomplished away and turn to the darkness instead. Brilliant strategy to revive the Order, Dooku. If you can't join them, beat them. Is that it?" She asked bitterly.
"Something like that. Of course my motives for joining were never as heinous as Sidious' I never truly planned on eliminating all the Jedi just the ones who brought us to this point. It was time to rebuild from the ground up. The Council lost sight of our mission decades ago. We were the champions of truth and justice throughout the universe. We were revered. We were honored. We were respected. Now we are no more than window dressing on a shop crumbling with decay and corruption." Adi shook her head.
"You don't believe me?" He asked urgently moving into to her face. "Who do you think is running this magnificent Republic you claim to serve? Who? You've met him before but did you recognize him?" Adi furrowed her brow trying to make sense of the clues Dooku was handing her. "Come on Master Gallia I had more faith in you than this? You are one of the best and the brightest. Why else would Kenobi have selected you to be his unless you were worthy?" Adi bristled slightly at that statement. It was obvious that she didn't enjoy having her personal life on display and yet once Obi- Wan found her that was exactly what was going to happen. She refused to consider that for a moment as she turned back to the cryptic words Dooku was spitting at her.
"When he found you and Qui-Gon didn't you think there was something familiar?" Dooku mocked.
Adi remembered back. It had only been a few long hours ago or at least that's what she thought but then again having been knocked out, she really had no idea how long they had been here. There had been something about her captor's voice. It had been familiar. She had heard that arrogant sickly sweetness before. Was he a fellow Jedi? Perhaps a Council member? She knew immediately that neither guess was correct. It was then that she remembered. It was Palpatine's voice. The Chancellor was the dark lord.
She felt her lungs contract and found herself unable to breathe for a moment as her mind fought to wrap itself around all that this revelation implied. He had been throughout the galaxy on good will missions. He had access to classified information in the Council's records. He had the Council's ear. How many missions had she voted to pursue based solely on this man's request and recommendation? She felt sick. She had been used by him as had the entire Council and no doubt every Senator.
"It's a terrible thing to be played for a fool." Dooku had enjoyed watching the emotions play out over the lovely Master's features. She was shocked and destroyed all in the same moment. "But then again it is a role you fill very well." He continued. She was still trying to deal with the betrayal when the door was activated revealing none other than the man who had orchestrated the entire production.
"My lord." Dooku smiled turning from Adi to address his leader. "It appears we have a bit of a situation here." Sidious ignored the injured Jedi for the moment as he remained riveted on Dooku.
"It appears that we do." He agreed. "WE seem to have underestimated the relationship between Kenobi and Jinn. " Dooku squirmed slightly seeing the scrutiny that the other man was giving him. Sidious passed him now making his way over to confront Adi.
"It was a mistake my lord, but one I'm sure you will find a way to rectify. After all it isn't like we don't still have something that the Knight will want back." Sidious leered at woman his eyes never leaving her's. Adi held his gaze with bold defiance.
"Yes this makes up for a bit of your bumbling but unfortunately not nearly enough." He turned suddenly sending bolts of energy into Dooku's body catching the fallen master completely off guard. The intensity of the beams seemed to be much stronger than what Dooku had managed against Mace.
"But my lord."Dooku pleaded against his pain. "I live but to serve you."
"You serve yourself Dooku, always did, but I never minded much. But now I find you more of a liability and I just cannot tolerate incompetence." Sidiously replied in a humiliating sing song. He then turned to Adi. "Don't you find weakness intolerable?" He hissed leering at her once more.
She glanced up at him then back to where Dooku had ceased to struggle. A few moments later, she knew he was dead.
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SEQUEL???? Yes???? No???? Just curious. Thanks to all of you who reviewed and let me know. That is a huge help. Maybe the overwhelming lack of response is a nice way of saying "No Jesse we don't want a sequel." If so trust me I'll get the message eventually.
I really do appreciate all of you so much. I especially want to thank D. (You know who you are. I didn't know if you would want your name on here or not so I just used your initial.) Your review really lifted my spirits and made me get to writing again after a bit of a disappointing week. Thanks. I was thinking five more chapters about three chapters ago. It now looks like three to five more chapters. Sorry blame the story.it's running the show. Till next week. jesse
