Geonosis was a planet of arid red plains dotted with rugged buttes and mesas and the occasional giant stalagmite. It seemed entirely uninhabited - except for whatever was making those eerie cries.
"First Kamino now this." Jacen commented in a voice carefully pitched to reach Obi-Wan's ears and no farther. "Why don't we ever go anywhere nice, Master?"
His teacher smiled faintly. "Because 'nice' planets don't need Jedi, Padawan. Now let's get a closer look at those Trade Federation ships."
The journey, along a steep narrow path with a drop of several hundred feet on one side, was not uneventful. About halfway to their goal they were attacked by a pair of slavering, fanged lizard creatures attacking from both front and rear. Obi-Wan was knocked flat by the first but managed to ignite his sabre and thrust it through the open jaws into the miniscule brain, killing it instantly. Jacen cut the second in half, mid-leap, and the body tumbled in to the gulf. Neither Jedi bothered to comment on the incident, saving their breath for climbing.
The top of the butte gave them a spectacular view of a city of red stone towers, as twisted and tormented in form as any stalagmite. And, chillingly, line after line of globular Trade Federation ships.
"This is not good." Obi-Wan understated. "Follow me, Jacen." and he stepped calmly off into space dropping towards the plain far below. His Padawan grimaced, grumbled; "I hate heights." and obeyed.
They gained the shelter of the city before a dusty red sunrise robbed them of cover, slipping in through a providentially open door. They quickly found themselves on a walkway encircling a deep wellshaft. Far below winged, horse faced aliens worked hard at multiple assembly lines turning out row after row of battle droids.
"Just keeps getting better doesn't it?" Jacen breathed to his Master.
Obi-Wan nodded absently, frowning into the middle distance. A moment later Jacen felt it too - a movement of the Force, a very familiar disturbance that he'd felt many, many times before. He looked at his Master in alarm.
"This way." said Obi-Wan.
The two Jedi crouched in a convenient nook as a pair of Genosians, similar to the workers in the factory but far better dressed, and a tall hooded figure in flowing black robes walked past them to meet Nute Gunray, accompanied by several aids, four battle droids weapons at ready - and Master Dooku!
The old Master inclined his silver head in regal acknowledgement. "Madame Moore."
Jacen just managed not to gasp. Obi-Wan's face froze.
"You do not sound surprised, Master Dooku." the familiar whispery voice answered from the shelter of the hood. "Can it be you guessed the truth?"
"Not a guess," he corrected, "a certainty. The Viceroy gave you away."
Nute began to babble denials. The Master silenced him with a chill, dark glance. "Oh not deliberately. But he looked to you, Madame Moore, for guidance when I spoke of the Sith. That was enough."
"More than enough." the Sith Witch agreed. She put back her hood and directed an even darker look at the cowering Viceroy, then turned to the Geonosian beside her. "Confine the Jedi, Archduke Poggle, and guard him well. He might be useful - as bait at least."
The second Geonosian, the battle droids and their prisoner went one way. Sly Moore, the Archduke, the Viceroy and his entourage the other, with Gunray babbling apologies and excuses to the impassive Sith.
"Jacen." the younger Jedi looked at his Master. "Get back to the ship," Obi-Wan mouthed, barely vocalizing for fear of being heard. "Report what you've seen to the Council. The Chancellor must be warned."
"What about you?" Jacen breathed in return.
The Master set his mouth grimly. "I'm going after Dooku."
"But Master -" Jacen began - too late. Obi-Wan slipped from hiding without waiting for a reply and flitted after Dooku and his guards. "So much for 'prudent and judicious." Jacen muttered to himself. and headed in the opposite direction.
He soon caught up with the Sith and her retinue. They turned into an open archway, and after a moment's hesitation Jacen followed. Why should Master have all the fun? The side passage led to a conference room and the sight of the other beings sitting around the table all but froze Jacen's blood.
No less than three senators rose respectfully at the Sith Witch's entrance; Po Nudo, Tessek and Toonbuck Toora. Jacen also recognized representatives of the Techno League, the Corporate Alliance, the Commerce Guild, and the Banking Clans. This was not good. In fact it was very, very bad.
As Sly Moore took her seat at the head of the table an armored figure emerged from the shadows to take up station behind her - Jango Fett! "Well gentlebeings, have you made your decision?" she asked softly. "As you see the Trade Federation has already pledged its support. When the Federation's Droid army is combined with yours we shall command the greatest military force in the Galaxy. The Jedi will be overwhelmed and the Republic will have no choice but to agree to our demands."
"I am authorized by the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." said that representative.
Sly Moore inclined her bald head. "Thank you, Chairman, we are most grateful for your co-operation."
"The Commerce Guilds do not at this time wish to become openly involved." said their ambassador. "But we shall support you in secret - and look forward to doing business with you."
"That will be quite sufficient." said Sly Moore.
"The Banking Clan will support you wholeheartedly, but only in a non-exclusive arrangement." said a preternaturally thin, grey skinned being.
The cyborg on the other side of the table adjusted his vocorder, causing a squeal of feedback before he was able to articulate: "The Techno Union is at your disposal, Lady Sinistra."
Jacen's eyes went wide at the name. If Jango Fett had been telling the truth then it was a Sith who'd recruited him as host for the Clone Army. Which meant that it was the Sith who'd ordered it in the first place in the name of the Jedi Council! This just gets worse and worse, I've got to warn the Council.
Obi-Wan flitted soundlessly from pillar to pillar, slowly catching up with the prisoner detachment. He had seen at once that something was seriously wrong with Dooku; the old Master was maintaining his usual composure only with considerable effort and his Force sense was off - weakened somehow. What had they done to him?
So intent was he on what was happening ahead of him that he sensed the destroyer droid behind a split second too late.
He woke, head pounding from the effects of a heavy stun, on a cold stone floor looking up at the mirror-like dome of a total exclusion field.
"There is such a thing as being too focused. Obi-Wan." a familiar dark velvet voice said mildly.
He turned his head to see Dooku sitting on a sort of low shelf or bench running right around the sunken, circular space. "Yes, Master." he sat up, suppressing a groan, frowned at the old Jedi. "Are you all right."
"No, I'm afraid not." Dooku answered a little grimly. Taking his hands from his sleeves he showed the charred burns scoring his palms.
Obi-Wan scrambled to his feet, headache forgotten. "What happened, Master? Some kind of torture?"
Dooku shook his head with a thin smile. "No, I merely blocked a few blaster bolts."
"You're supposed to use your sabre for that." Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Unfortunately I didn't have my sabre with me at the time."
"Do I want to know?" Obi-Wan inquired rhetorically of the universe at large.
Dooku smiled, strain a little less evident. "Probably not."
The younger Jedi sighed, settled himself cross legged in front of the Master. "Let me see what I can do."
Dooku gave him his hands and both closed their eyes, slipping into Force rapport.
How did you do this? Obi-Wan asked silently as he probed the damage.
I was providing a diversion so Captain Dodonna and Sly Moore could escape with the news the Sith are behind the Separatists.
But you knew Sly Moore was a Sith!
However Dodonna is not and if she was to keep her cover she had no choice but to let him carry the warning. Obi-Wan, where is Jacen?
Back at our ship by now sending word of what's happening here to the Council - I hope.
Indeed. Let us hope he shows more prudence and judgment than his Master.
"There's got to be a way to boost the signal." Jacen said in frustration, probing at the blasted circuitry of the fighter's transmitter.
Arfour bleeped a firm but apologetic negative.
"But we've got to get through!" a thought struck. "Wait a minute, Master Qui-Gon and Anakin are on Naboo. That's pretty close. See if we can get through to them."
It worked. Master Qui-Gon was able to relay the transmission to the Temple and they in turn sent it directly to the Chancellor's office where he was meeting with the leaders of both the pro and anti militarist factions and members of the Jedi Council.
"We tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid founderies on Geonosis." Jacen reported. "Master Dooku is here too, as a prisoner. Master Obi-Wan went to rescue him but they havn't come back and I'm afraid he's been caught too. The Geonosians are building an army for the Trade Federation. Viceroy Gunray is behind the attacks on Queen Amidala. The Corporate Alliance, the Commerce Guild, the Banking Clan and the Techno-League are also involved. But they and the Separatists are all under the control of -" He turned his head sharply, somebody was coming. "Uh - oh."
Far away on Coruscant the watching Jedi, Senators and Chancellor saw Jacen's image disappear in static.
"He's been located." Mace said grimly.
Yoda frowned at the now empty holo platform. "More happening on Geonosis, I feel, than has been revealed."
"I agree." said Mace. "Qui-Gon," the Master's holo-image appeared on the platform. "We will deal with the situation on Geonosis. The Queen's safety remains your first priority. Stay close to her, protect her at all costs."
"I understand."
Mace frowned at the hologram. It was unlike Qui-Gon to assent so readily, especially with his old Master and former Padawan at risk. But then Qui-Gon was a Jedi, he understood his duty must come first. "We will get them back, my friend," he said gently, "I promise."
"I know you will. Thank you, Mace." Qui-Gon bowed and vanished.
"The debate is over!" Senator Ask Aak of the militarists said with undisguised satisfaction. "Now we need that Clone Army."
"Unfortunately the debate is not over." Bail Organa snapped. "The Senate will never approve the use of the Clones before the Separatists attack."
"This is a crisis!" Mas Amedda cried. "The Senate must vote the Chancellor emergency powers, he could then order the Clone army into action."
"No." Palpatine said firmly. "I will not sanction such an unconstitutional measure, and no senator would propose it."
"I would." said Jamillia grimly.
"My Lady!" the Chancellor protested, clearly astonished. "Naboo has always worked for peace. This would be a declaration of war."
"War is upon us, your Excellency." she answered. "We have lost the fight for peace, now we must have the means to defend ourselves."
"Yes." said General Binks equally firmly. "Gungans and Naboo peaceful people as yousa Honor says, but when wesa were invaded wesa fought!"
"Call an emergency session of the Senate, Chancellor." said Jamillia. "And we will do what must be done to save the Republic."