Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: I don't know if anyone is even reading this, like I said before it is a WIP, I don't know exactly where this story is taking me, so just enjoy! Please review.
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Chapter 2:
Her head felt like it was about to explode, she never in her life had a headache of this magnitude (even worse than the morning after late night drinking binges with Obi Wan). Her head refused, but she forced her eyes open, immediately regretting it.
Siri tried to lift herself up, but the pain intensified. She laid back down on the hard metal table with a groan. She then realized that she was chained to said metal table, she stared up at her wrists that were beginning to bruise from the chains, then down at her bare ankles that were doing the same. She then felt a warm stream of liquid trailing down the side of her face from a cut over her left eyebrow. She rolled her eyes to the back of her head and tried to call on the Force to help her find her center, or at least to stop the pounding in her head.
She tried to remember what happened. She remembered watching Ferus lead her troops to a fight, distracting the guards long enough for her to slip inside the compound. She remembered finding a room full of various test tubes and medical supplies. The last thing she remembered was the sound of droidekas. She felt worried for her apprentice, and called upon their bond. She sensed that he was alive, he was not responding but he was alive. She let out another groan of pain and tried to release it into the Force. She then noticed another presence in the room.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Master Tachi." An elegant male voice rang through the room, causing her head to hurt more.
She tried to compose herself before responding. "Count Dooku, what a surprise." She said with a hint of sarcasm. "Just what every girl dreams about. . .waking up to a creepy old man staring at them in their sleep."
Dooku chuckled, causing the Jedi more agony in her head. He took a sip of his tea then handed the cup to a young, short, dirty-blonde haired man standing behind him. The servant took the cup and bowed. "Leave us Steve." Dooku commanded and his manservant bowed and exited the room. Dooku then rose to his feet and walked over to the captive Jedi.
"He seems nice." Siri commented when the young servant had exited the room, showing Dooku that he didn't intimidate her.
Dooku smiled a forced smile. "My my how clever you young Jedi think you are." He said, folding his arms across his chest. "Of course you always had a mouth that was almost as quick as your saber." He stated with a smile. "I remember you from one of my saber classes. . .you were my best student."
Siri tried to push back her headache that was becoming intolerable. "Gee thanks teach." She kept up her sarcastic front. "But you know how about instead of a trip down memory lane, we just get whatever it is you came to do over with."
Dooku seemed to ignore the female Jedi completely. "I was tempted to take you on as my own Padawan." He commented, almost lost in the memory. "But I felt you were too young, and then Master Gallia swooped in there and trained you herself."
"Damn." Siri feigned disappointment. "Look where I could be right now if you had trained me."
Dooku smiled a sarcastic smile. "You certainly would know your place girl." He hissed.
"Oh yeah cause you did such a great job with Qui Gon Jinn, he certainly knew his place." She shot back. "Never ever went against the code. . .ever."
Dooku closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. "True, Qui Gon was very different. I probably would've had better luck with his own apprentice."
Siri choked on her laugh. "I'm sorry, but that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life. Obi Wan is the quintessential Jedi, he'd never help you. . .He'd rather die then help anyone who means harm to the Republic."
"So I've heard." Dooku stated then smiled a wicked smile. "But the hearts of men can falter, even the most disciplined of Jedi can lose faith." Dooku ran a long, wrinkled finger down her cheek, making her skin crawl. "Everyone has a weakness."
Siri stared at Dooku with a confused look. She then struggled under her chains. "So what is it now Dooku? Some public execution where I'm torn limb from limb by some vicious animal?"
Dooku laughed and Siri noticed his servant had returned. She strained to see what the young man was carrying. Dooku then picked up a syringe off the tray. "As much enjoyment as I would get from that Master Tachi, I have found another use for you." He then filled the needle with a green liquid. "You see I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find human volunteers to test my newest weapons." He then cleaned a spot on Siri's arm and shoved the needle in, extracting the liquid. "I'm so glad you have offered your assistance."
********************************
"Grave this news is Master Obi Wan." The hologram of Yoda hung his head in sorrow.
"What should I do my masters?" Obi Wan asked, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I don't want to leave my Padawan in his condition, but I know we need to act quickly to rescue Master Tachi."
Mace Windu sighed, he looked as tired as Obi Wan felt. "The Chancellor has asked for your presence on Kamino." Mace told him, ignoring the shocked look on Obi Wan's face.
"You told him no right?" Obi Wan asked, and the Council remained silent. "There are others that can lead, I don't understand why the Chancellor insists that I do everything." Obi Wan's strong façade came crashing down.
"Obi Wan!" Mace sternly reprimanded. "We understand how exhausted you must be, but you have proven yourself worthy of this title, the Chancellor feels you are the best for the job." Mace calmed himself before he continued. "The battle on Kamino is becoming increasingly more intense, we must protect the cloning facilities."
Obi Wan closed his tired eyes, pressing his thumb and forefinger on either sides of the bridge of his nose and pressing hard. "Anakin is in no condition to travel, he could be contagious."
"Realize this we do." Yoda stepped forward. "Stay your apprentice will."
"I'm sorry masters, but my apprentice if very ill, I wouldn't feel right leaving him." Obi Wan argued.
"Orders the Chancellor has given you, follow them you must." Yoda exclaimed, ignoring the look on Obi Wan's face.
"I didn't ask for this position." Obi Wan claimed, not caring that they heard him. "I was just getting use to having one life besides my own to worry about, now I'm supposed to ignore his life to worry about thousands of others?"
"The will of the Force this is, understand Skywalker will." Yoda tried to make Obi Wan feel better about the situation.
"And if he doesn't understand then he has much further to go than we originally discussed Obi Wan." Mace interjected.
Obi Wan bowed his head, feeling almost rejected and defeated. "Yes masters." He lifted his head and faced the Council. "What about Siri?" He asked.
"We cannot risk another Geonosis." Mace commented. "We no longer have the resources."
"So you're just going to leave her to the Separatists?" Obi Wan asked, appalled.
"Send a team to find her we will." Yoda answered. "Risk more than that we cannot."
Obi Wan suddenly felt guilt rise inside of him. It was his fault that so many Jedi had perished, and now it was also his fault that more had to risk their lives to save his friend. "Send someone else to Kamino, let me go find her." He said after a moment, but received very harsh stares from the Council.
"No." Mace simply stated. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way Obi Wan." He reminded. "We will find her, but we must listen to the will of the Force above all else."
Obi Wan nodded, he knew he wouldn't win this argument.
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//Long, slender fingers intertwined with his robotic ones. He was afraid that she would recoil from his new prosthetic hand, but the amazing woman that she was, it didn't bother her in the least. He draped his arm protectively over her, losing himself in a nest of brunette curls. He then began to leave trails of kisses on the nape of her neck. She turned to face him, her face brightening with a warm smile.
"My Jedi." She cooed in his ear.
"My angel." He whispered between kisses.
She giggled, music to his ears and began to explore him with her hands. He let out a involuntary moan and finally found her lips with his, kissing her with intensity.
She then pulled away from him, her deep, brown eyes searching his sky blue ones. "What's wrong?" She asked, afraid of the answer.
The young man gave her one more kiss before sitting up on the edge of the bed. "Master Obi Wan and I have been called to the front lines." He sighed, ignoring the emotions he sensed from his new bride.
"No." She moved closer to him. "The Chancellor cannot ask this of you; both of you have barely healed from Geonosis!" She didn't hide her objections from him. "I will speak to the Chancellor." She rose to her feet and Anakin grabbed her arm.
"Padme." Anakin kissed her forehead as he sat her next to him. "I don't like this anymore than you do, but I won't let the Chancellor down, he believes in me." He said with pride. "Besides maybe on this mission I can prove myself to Obi Wan and convince him I'm ready for the trials."
"But why does it have to be you?" Padme asked, feeling tears brimming her eyes.
"Master Obi Wan has been called as general." Anakin stated, jealousy rising in his voice. "We have to be at the front."
"What happened to Jedi not being soldiers?" She folded her arms across her chest.
He knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. "Don't worry. . ." He flashed her a smile. "I am the chosen one remember?" He winked and she shook her head.
Padme surprised a sob and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Make sure you come back to me." She said, not able to stop the tears. She then looked him in the eyes. "Take care of that master of yours too." She tried to muster a smile.
He smiled back and laid her down on the bed, kissing her.//
Anakin woke with a start, he felt extremely hot. He could sense the beads of sweat collecting in his hair. He had never felt so awful in his entire life, even when he was 8 years old and had come down with the Tuskin flu and his mother held him in her arms all night, trying to warm him.
He closed his eyes tightly when the memory of his mother came to him. He turned on his side and wished with all his heart that his mother would enter the room and take him away from this nightmare. His heart felt like lead as he imagined her arms wrapping around him, and then disappearing into thin air.
He then tried to turn his thoughts to Padme. He hadn't spoken to his wife since the day he left for the war over four months ago. He wondered what she was doing, and if she was well.
He turned his eyes towards the door when he heard it open, he was actually relieved when he saw the form of his master walk inside. He saw Obi Wan try to smile around the medical mask and Anakin gave a weak smile back. His body then was wracked with a violent coughing fit, Obi Wan ran to his Padawan's side.
Obi Wan watched helplessly as his young charge rolled over in agony, his heart broke at the sight. He placed a hand on Anakin's forehead, trying to ease his pain. Blood shot eyes stared into blue/grey ones.
"Master?" Anakin struggled to compose himself, only coughing more.
"Relax." Obi Wan commanded. "Rest Padawan."
"I'm guessing no antidote yet." Anakin closed his eyes as he tried to regain his breath from the coughing.
Obi Wan looked to the floor, and shook his head. "Not yet Padawan." He noticed Anakin wince in pain, he then glanced around the room at all the other sick clones and felt a shiver run up his spine. "But we will find one." He looked down at Anakin and took the younger man's hands in his. "I promise you Anakin."
Anakin looked into the aging Jedi's eyes, he knew Obi Wan was hiding something. "You're leaving." He stated, searching for answers within his master's eyes.
"Yes Anakin I am." Obi Wan admitted, not hiding the fact from his apprentice. "The war for Kamino is on the edge of a knife, the Chancellor has asked for my assistance." He kept up his mental shields so Anakin wouldn't sense his displeasure of Palpatine.
Anakin tried to sit up, but his body wouldn't stop shaking. Obi Wan tried to lay him back down. "I'm coming with you master." Anakin rasped out, trying to get out of bed again.
"Padawan!" Obi Wan said with more force then was probably necessary. "You must stay here." He said, trying to ignore the hurt look on his apprentice's face.
"Master I can help."
Obi Wan sighed, he was feeling tired. "Anakin, I need you to stop this." He reprimanded. "I don't have the patience to deal with your quest for perfection right now." Anakin was taken back by his master's tone.
They were interrupted by a loud moan coming from the back of the room. The two men looked towards the source of the sound and noticed a clone trooper writhing in pain. The medical team rushing to his aid. The man began to cough up large amounts of blood and fell off the bed with a loud crash, causing both Jedi to flinch. Anakin turned away in disgust and Obi Wan felt a shiver run down his spine. He turned back to his apprentice.
"Don't leave me here." Anakin begged.
Obi Wan closed his eyes and sighed. "Anakin." He stopped and thought carefully as to what he would say next. "My duty lies on Kamino right now."
Anakin turned his gaze away from his master with a huff. "What about your duty to me?" He asked snidely. "Since you think I'm not ready for the trials and everything."
"Anakin my duty as your master will always come first." He forced Anakin to look at him. "And because of that duty I must insist that you stay behind and regain your strength." Anakin rolled his eyes and looked away again. Obi Wan felt the frustration rise inside him. "That's fine." He said and turned on heel and left the room. He then turned and spoke to his apprentice one more time before leaving. "Master Windu is taking my place here." Anakin pretended to ignore Obi Wan. "You will be mindful of him." Obi Wan looked around the room one more time. "Anakin." He forced Anakin to look at him. "An antidote will be found." He assured his young charge who turned away again in disgust. "May the Force be with you." He said under his breath and exited the room.
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: I don't know if anyone is even reading this, like I said before it is a WIP, I don't know exactly where this story is taking me, so just enjoy! Please review.
***************************
Chapter 2:
Her head felt like it was about to explode, she never in her life had a headache of this magnitude (even worse than the morning after late night drinking binges with Obi Wan). Her head refused, but she forced her eyes open, immediately regretting it.
Siri tried to lift herself up, but the pain intensified. She laid back down on the hard metal table with a groan. She then realized that she was chained to said metal table, she stared up at her wrists that were beginning to bruise from the chains, then down at her bare ankles that were doing the same. She then felt a warm stream of liquid trailing down the side of her face from a cut over her left eyebrow. She rolled her eyes to the back of her head and tried to call on the Force to help her find her center, or at least to stop the pounding in her head.
She tried to remember what happened. She remembered watching Ferus lead her troops to a fight, distracting the guards long enough for her to slip inside the compound. She remembered finding a room full of various test tubes and medical supplies. The last thing she remembered was the sound of droidekas. She felt worried for her apprentice, and called upon their bond. She sensed that he was alive, he was not responding but he was alive. She let out another groan of pain and tried to release it into the Force. She then noticed another presence in the room.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Master Tachi." An elegant male voice rang through the room, causing her head to hurt more.
She tried to compose herself before responding. "Count Dooku, what a surprise." She said with a hint of sarcasm. "Just what every girl dreams about. . .waking up to a creepy old man staring at them in their sleep."
Dooku chuckled, causing the Jedi more agony in her head. He took a sip of his tea then handed the cup to a young, short, dirty-blonde haired man standing behind him. The servant took the cup and bowed. "Leave us Steve." Dooku commanded and his manservant bowed and exited the room. Dooku then rose to his feet and walked over to the captive Jedi.
"He seems nice." Siri commented when the young servant had exited the room, showing Dooku that he didn't intimidate her.
Dooku smiled a forced smile. "My my how clever you young Jedi think you are." He said, folding his arms across his chest. "Of course you always had a mouth that was almost as quick as your saber." He stated with a smile. "I remember you from one of my saber classes. . .you were my best student."
Siri tried to push back her headache that was becoming intolerable. "Gee thanks teach." She kept up her sarcastic front. "But you know how about instead of a trip down memory lane, we just get whatever it is you came to do over with."
Dooku seemed to ignore the female Jedi completely. "I was tempted to take you on as my own Padawan." He commented, almost lost in the memory. "But I felt you were too young, and then Master Gallia swooped in there and trained you herself."
"Damn." Siri feigned disappointment. "Look where I could be right now if you had trained me."
Dooku smiled a sarcastic smile. "You certainly would know your place girl." He hissed.
"Oh yeah cause you did such a great job with Qui Gon Jinn, he certainly knew his place." She shot back. "Never ever went against the code. . .ever."
Dooku closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. "True, Qui Gon was very different. I probably would've had better luck with his own apprentice."
Siri choked on her laugh. "I'm sorry, but that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life. Obi Wan is the quintessential Jedi, he'd never help you. . .He'd rather die then help anyone who means harm to the Republic."
"So I've heard." Dooku stated then smiled a wicked smile. "But the hearts of men can falter, even the most disciplined of Jedi can lose faith." Dooku ran a long, wrinkled finger down her cheek, making her skin crawl. "Everyone has a weakness."
Siri stared at Dooku with a confused look. She then struggled under her chains. "So what is it now Dooku? Some public execution where I'm torn limb from limb by some vicious animal?"
Dooku laughed and Siri noticed his servant had returned. She strained to see what the young man was carrying. Dooku then picked up a syringe off the tray. "As much enjoyment as I would get from that Master Tachi, I have found another use for you." He then filled the needle with a green liquid. "You see I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find human volunteers to test my newest weapons." He then cleaned a spot on Siri's arm and shoved the needle in, extracting the liquid. "I'm so glad you have offered your assistance."
********************************
"Grave this news is Master Obi Wan." The hologram of Yoda hung his head in sorrow.
"What should I do my masters?" Obi Wan asked, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I don't want to leave my Padawan in his condition, but I know we need to act quickly to rescue Master Tachi."
Mace Windu sighed, he looked as tired as Obi Wan felt. "The Chancellor has asked for your presence on Kamino." Mace told him, ignoring the shocked look on Obi Wan's face.
"You told him no right?" Obi Wan asked, and the Council remained silent. "There are others that can lead, I don't understand why the Chancellor insists that I do everything." Obi Wan's strong façade came crashing down.
"Obi Wan!" Mace sternly reprimanded. "We understand how exhausted you must be, but you have proven yourself worthy of this title, the Chancellor feels you are the best for the job." Mace calmed himself before he continued. "The battle on Kamino is becoming increasingly more intense, we must protect the cloning facilities."
Obi Wan closed his tired eyes, pressing his thumb and forefinger on either sides of the bridge of his nose and pressing hard. "Anakin is in no condition to travel, he could be contagious."
"Realize this we do." Yoda stepped forward. "Stay your apprentice will."
"I'm sorry masters, but my apprentice if very ill, I wouldn't feel right leaving him." Obi Wan argued.
"Orders the Chancellor has given you, follow them you must." Yoda exclaimed, ignoring the look on Obi Wan's face.
"I didn't ask for this position." Obi Wan claimed, not caring that they heard him. "I was just getting use to having one life besides my own to worry about, now I'm supposed to ignore his life to worry about thousands of others?"
"The will of the Force this is, understand Skywalker will." Yoda tried to make Obi Wan feel better about the situation.
"And if he doesn't understand then he has much further to go than we originally discussed Obi Wan." Mace interjected.
Obi Wan bowed his head, feeling almost rejected and defeated. "Yes masters." He lifted his head and faced the Council. "What about Siri?" He asked.
"We cannot risk another Geonosis." Mace commented. "We no longer have the resources."
"So you're just going to leave her to the Separatists?" Obi Wan asked, appalled.
"Send a team to find her we will." Yoda answered. "Risk more than that we cannot."
Obi Wan suddenly felt guilt rise inside of him. It was his fault that so many Jedi had perished, and now it was also his fault that more had to risk their lives to save his friend. "Send someone else to Kamino, let me go find her." He said after a moment, but received very harsh stares from the Council.
"No." Mace simply stated. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way Obi Wan." He reminded. "We will find her, but we must listen to the will of the Force above all else."
Obi Wan nodded, he knew he wouldn't win this argument.
*******************************
//Long, slender fingers intertwined with his robotic ones. He was afraid that she would recoil from his new prosthetic hand, but the amazing woman that she was, it didn't bother her in the least. He draped his arm protectively over her, losing himself in a nest of brunette curls. He then began to leave trails of kisses on the nape of her neck. She turned to face him, her face brightening with a warm smile.
"My Jedi." She cooed in his ear.
"My angel." He whispered between kisses.
She giggled, music to his ears and began to explore him with her hands. He let out a involuntary moan and finally found her lips with his, kissing her with intensity.
She then pulled away from him, her deep, brown eyes searching his sky blue ones. "What's wrong?" She asked, afraid of the answer.
The young man gave her one more kiss before sitting up on the edge of the bed. "Master Obi Wan and I have been called to the front lines." He sighed, ignoring the emotions he sensed from his new bride.
"No." She moved closer to him. "The Chancellor cannot ask this of you; both of you have barely healed from Geonosis!" She didn't hide her objections from him. "I will speak to the Chancellor." She rose to her feet and Anakin grabbed her arm.
"Padme." Anakin kissed her forehead as he sat her next to him. "I don't like this anymore than you do, but I won't let the Chancellor down, he believes in me." He said with pride. "Besides maybe on this mission I can prove myself to Obi Wan and convince him I'm ready for the trials."
"But why does it have to be you?" Padme asked, feeling tears brimming her eyes.
"Master Obi Wan has been called as general." Anakin stated, jealousy rising in his voice. "We have to be at the front."
"What happened to Jedi not being soldiers?" She folded her arms across her chest.
He knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. "Don't worry. . ." He flashed her a smile. "I am the chosen one remember?" He winked and she shook her head.
Padme surprised a sob and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Make sure you come back to me." She said, not able to stop the tears. She then looked him in the eyes. "Take care of that master of yours too." She tried to muster a smile.
He smiled back and laid her down on the bed, kissing her.//
Anakin woke with a start, he felt extremely hot. He could sense the beads of sweat collecting in his hair. He had never felt so awful in his entire life, even when he was 8 years old and had come down with the Tuskin flu and his mother held him in her arms all night, trying to warm him.
He closed his eyes tightly when the memory of his mother came to him. He turned on his side and wished with all his heart that his mother would enter the room and take him away from this nightmare. His heart felt like lead as he imagined her arms wrapping around him, and then disappearing into thin air.
He then tried to turn his thoughts to Padme. He hadn't spoken to his wife since the day he left for the war over four months ago. He wondered what she was doing, and if she was well.
He turned his eyes towards the door when he heard it open, he was actually relieved when he saw the form of his master walk inside. He saw Obi Wan try to smile around the medical mask and Anakin gave a weak smile back. His body then was wracked with a violent coughing fit, Obi Wan ran to his Padawan's side.
Obi Wan watched helplessly as his young charge rolled over in agony, his heart broke at the sight. He placed a hand on Anakin's forehead, trying to ease his pain. Blood shot eyes stared into blue/grey ones.
"Master?" Anakin struggled to compose himself, only coughing more.
"Relax." Obi Wan commanded. "Rest Padawan."
"I'm guessing no antidote yet." Anakin closed his eyes as he tried to regain his breath from the coughing.
Obi Wan looked to the floor, and shook his head. "Not yet Padawan." He noticed Anakin wince in pain, he then glanced around the room at all the other sick clones and felt a shiver run up his spine. "But we will find one." He looked down at Anakin and took the younger man's hands in his. "I promise you Anakin."
Anakin looked into the aging Jedi's eyes, he knew Obi Wan was hiding something. "You're leaving." He stated, searching for answers within his master's eyes.
"Yes Anakin I am." Obi Wan admitted, not hiding the fact from his apprentice. "The war for Kamino is on the edge of a knife, the Chancellor has asked for my assistance." He kept up his mental shields so Anakin wouldn't sense his displeasure of Palpatine.
Anakin tried to sit up, but his body wouldn't stop shaking. Obi Wan tried to lay him back down. "I'm coming with you master." Anakin rasped out, trying to get out of bed again.
"Padawan!" Obi Wan said with more force then was probably necessary. "You must stay here." He said, trying to ignore the hurt look on his apprentice's face.
"Master I can help."
Obi Wan sighed, he was feeling tired. "Anakin, I need you to stop this." He reprimanded. "I don't have the patience to deal with your quest for perfection right now." Anakin was taken back by his master's tone.
They were interrupted by a loud moan coming from the back of the room. The two men looked towards the source of the sound and noticed a clone trooper writhing in pain. The medical team rushing to his aid. The man began to cough up large amounts of blood and fell off the bed with a loud crash, causing both Jedi to flinch. Anakin turned away in disgust and Obi Wan felt a shiver run down his spine. He turned back to his apprentice.
"Don't leave me here." Anakin begged.
Obi Wan closed his eyes and sighed. "Anakin." He stopped and thought carefully as to what he would say next. "My duty lies on Kamino right now."
Anakin turned his gaze away from his master with a huff. "What about your duty to me?" He asked snidely. "Since you think I'm not ready for the trials and everything."
"Anakin my duty as your master will always come first." He forced Anakin to look at him. "And because of that duty I must insist that you stay behind and regain your strength." Anakin rolled his eyes and looked away again. Obi Wan felt the frustration rise inside him. "That's fine." He said and turned on heel and left the room. He then turned and spoke to his apprentice one more time before leaving. "Master Windu is taking my place here." Anakin pretended to ignore Obi Wan. "You will be mindful of him." Obi Wan looked around the room one more time. "Anakin." He forced Anakin to look at him. "An antidote will be found." He assured his young charge who turned away again in disgust. "May the Force be with you." He said under his breath and exited the room.