A/N: For those who have been waiting for it, I promise to delve a little more into Qui and Obi in the next chap.
I also owe another thanks to Kaime and TinTin for always responding. I really appreciate it.
Chapter 6
The two enormous warship prototypes simultaneously screeched out of hyperspace and hovered over the planet of Naboo. A hooded figure stood at the bridge of the one he had affectionately named Dark Destroyer with his ever present 'right hand'.
"I'm not sure that I understand, Lord," Jillian spoke plainly. "If you only wish to acquire Skywalker why even bother taking Jinn or the Senator alive?"
Sidious turned to regard his protege. "I never discard anything that might be useful, and the boy's affection for them may mean the difference between him seeing things my way- or not."
Even as the dark lord spoke a small Republic cruiser appeared from Naboo's atmosphere. "It looks like we're not a moment too soon, " he smiled. "Block them and prepare a boarding party."
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn stood on either side of the Republic pilot with their arms crossed and faces in deep in concentration. Two warships, the likes of which they had never seen before, were blocking the path of their intended trajectory.
Qui-Gon was the first to speak. "Turn around. We're going to have to change course."
Obi-Wan indicated a small fleet of fighters emerging from the from the warships and sailing towards them. "Something tells me that's not what they have in mind," he commented.
In a flash the fighters swarmed the unarmed transport and were raining blaster fire upon it.
"Do you see any way out of this?" Qui-Gon questioned the pilot with his usual Jedi calm despite the situation.
"Sure," came the pilot's sarcastic reply as he tried to avoid another round of fire. "We just squeeze between the two big ones there and pray that we can stay on trajectory and make the jump to lightspeed before they incinerate us."
Kenobi grabbed the ships comm unit. "Skywalker, get up here, now," he ordered before plopping in the copilots chair and beginning the calculations necessary for the jump.
"What are you doing?" Qui-Gon questioned.
"Right now, Master Jinn, I'm praying your padawan is as good as he always boasting."
Anakin stormed into the cockpit, face covered in grease. "This had better be important," he barked, "because in case nobody noticed the shields are about to go and I'm the one keeping them functioning."
Obi-Wan simply rolled his eyes. "Stop whining, and start flying."
Despite the contempt he had for his subordinate rank in relation to Kenobi's and his general dislike of taking orders from anyone, that was one command that Anakin Skywalker never needed to be told twice.
"Between them?" he asked as he forcibly dislodged the considerably stunned pilot from his seat.
"Yes, and preferably without getting us blown out of space," Qui-Gon answered.
"This little trick is pretty pointless otherwise, Master," Anakin spat as he steered the ship full throttle towards the narrow gap between the two imposing ships while simultaneously avoiding the fighters on their tail.
Obi-Wan gave Qui-Gon a sarcastic smirk- amused that, for once, someone other than himself was on the receiving end of Anakin's sharp tongue. "You know, I don't recall ever being so mouthy as a padawan. You must really have your hands full," he needled.
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow towards the young knight. "Obviously you're suffering from selective memory, because you're entirely too young to be completely senile."
The two men braced themselves as Anakin unexpectedly threw the ship into a wild barrel in order to avoid the sudden fire coming from one of the lager vessels.
"Calculations?" Anakin questioned.
"Done," Obi-Wan replied.
"Good. You're not quite as incompetent as I thought you were."
"What?"
"Hit it, NOW!" Anakin ordered. A moment later they all breathed a sigh of relief as the ship safely leaped into hyperspace.
Obi-Wan rose from his seat and faced Anakin before asking cooly, "Exactly what do you mean by calling me incompetent?"
Anakin returned the icy tone as he turned in the pilot's chair, "Only that you normally seem more talented at getting into trouble than out of it."
"Funny," Obi-Wan said as he turned to exit the cockpit, "I was under the impression that you were the one who nearly got his head blown off an hour ago."
Qui-Gon grabbed Anakin gently by the shoulder as they watched the knight walk away. "Help the Senator get settled in. I have something I need to take care of."
Darth Sidious turned abruptly from the viewport of his warship as the Republic cruiser blinked out of sight. It was a move made in both confusion and delight. "It appears that young Skywalker is even more talented than I had initially hoped," he muttered while his eyes squinted in thought.
"What is it?" Jillian perceptively questioned.
"I thought I sensed a presence on that ship. One that wasn't Jinn's or Skywalker's. Place a call to the Jedi Council from the Supreme Chancellor's office. I want to know where that ship is headed and everyone that is on it. After all, I need to make my dear homeworld senator is in capable hands."