Author's Note: Hi everyone! Thought I would give you a long chapter because I'm not sure if I'll be able to update this weekend since we'll have company with us through Sunday. Thanks again for all the reviews!
LOCATION UNKNOWN
Raising her head, Padme glanced around. She could have sworn she had just heard Anakin's voice, urgent and worried. His presence was so strong, she found herself leaning backwards, expecting to find the comfort of his warm body behind her.
Instead, she leaned into a cold, hard wall.
Despondent, she let her head fall back and it gently struck the unforgiving surface with a soft thump. Closing her eyes, she felt Anakin's thoughts wash over her and a small smile came to her lips.
Anakin...
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open as she heard her cell door slide open. Scrambling to her feet, she came face-to-face with the most fearsome droid she had ever seen. Terror flooded her senses as it advanced towards her, wielding a thick syringe. Moving quickly, she feinted to the right, then rolled to the left, narrowing missing the needle as it crashed towards her.
Diving for the door, she cried out in frustration as it slammed shut. Throwing up her hands to ward off the droid, it knocked her to the ground and pushed the drugs into her arm. No! Her vision swimming before her, she watched as the droid stepped over her prone form, exiting through the now open door. Vaguely, she caught a glimpse of rows and rows of droid assassins before the door closed, and the darkness claimed her.
JEDI TEMPLE - SAME TIME
Feeling a connection with Padme, Anakin filled his thoughts with love and comfort, hoping she was able to sense them. Smiling slightly, he became aware of her body relaxing and heard her whisper his name. Anakin...
Suddenly, her thoughts were torn from him and he could feel her mind fill with horror. She was trying to escape something; he could feel the adrenaline coursing through her body as she tried to flee. Then, she was overwhelmed with frustration before another wave of fear passed over her. Anakin floundered as his connection from her was severed, feeling her sink into a sea of blackness.
"Padme!" he shouted, his throat raw.
Obi-wan reached out to support him, aware that his apprentice's knees had gone week.
"She's hurt, Master," he gasped.
"Anakin," Obi-wan said firmly, gripping the young man's arms. "Focus. Did you get a sense of where she is?"
Concentrating deeply, Anakin was silent for a moment before his eyes reopened, a sense of clarity shining through. Leaving no room for doubt, he said, "she's still here, on Coruscant. Somewhere in the Industrial district."
LOCATION UNKNOWN - MAIN CONTROL CENTER
Mechanically and efficiently, the droid assassin worked to repair his singed circuits. Running a system scan he once again tried to review his mission:
Target: Padme Amidala
Home Planet: Naboo
Species: Human, Female
Known Allergies: Hirtii
Approved Actions: Capture, Imprison, Injure-
His log noted that his programming was still incomplete. He had retained some details of his mission but the remainder of his programming still appeared to be lost, due to the energy pulse he took during his battle with the R-2 unit. His sole purpose now was to reengage his system and bring it online so he could finish his mission.
Reaching for another the welding torch, he knew it wouldn't be long now...
JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Anakin breathed deeply, trying to clear his mind so he could focus on what Master Windu was saying.
"Anakin Skywalker, the Council is deeply disturbed by your blatant disregard for the Jedi Code. The rules against attachments are the cornerstone of our way of life - a life which you swore on your honor to uphold," the Jedi Master said tersely.
"Yes, Master," Anakin replied solemnly, his gaze turned downward.
"These actions can not pass without consequence," he continued. "The Council will have to discuss the possible implications of your... relationship... with Senator Amidala. There is no guarantee that you will remain a Jedi once these talks are over."
"I understand," Anakin said, a tone of wistfulness in his voice. There was a time where such a motion would have filled him with fury. But with Padme missing, Anakin had come to realize how futile those types of emotions were. Clearing his throat, he searched for something to say, but was interrupted before he could even begin.
"Masters," Obi-wan called, inclining his head politely. "There is still the matter of the Senator's disappearance. We have received reliable information that indicates she is still on the planet, somewhere in the Industrial district."
"Go, we must," Yoda instructed. "In grave danger, the Senator is."
Biting his lip, Obi-wan continued, "I'd like the Council's permission to bring Anakin."
Mace Windu swiveled to look at him, asking incredulously, "Do you really think that's a good idea?"
"Yes, Master," Obi-wan said, a note of confidence coming through his voice. "His thoughts are in tune with Senator Amidala's. I have complete faith that he will be able to lead us to her. He won't let us down."
After a tension-filled moment, Master Windu turned his penetrating gaze to Anakin, "Skywalker, the Council needs to have a serious discussion on this matter. Please return to Master Kenobi's quarters."
Moving to obey, Anakin gave a deferential nod and quickly exited the room.
JEDI TEMPLE - QUARTERS OF OBI-WAN KENOBI
Meditating, Anakin stretched out with his mind, trying to rouse Padme. Once again, he didn't have much success although he could feel her senses start to become slightly more alert. Sighing, he opened his eyes and walked to the window, watching the busy cityscape below.
It had been nearly an hour, he thought worriedly. Surely the Council should have reached a decision by now?
Fifteen minutes later, he heard the quiet chime that signaled the approach of a visitor. Rising, he went to the door but stopped in his tracks as he saw Obi-wan enter, looking solemn. Anakin felt his heart plummet to his feet. They denied his request... I'm going to be instructed to stay here. Helpless.
And then Obi-wan gave a small smile as he said, "Ready?"
LOCATION UNKNOWN
Gradually, Padme regained consciousness, yet forced herself to remain still and unmoving on the cold floor. Every few minutes, she could feel the droid's presence right outside the door as he peered in at her, checking to see if she had awoken. Determined to avoid another round of that horrible drug for as long as possible, she let her body stay limp, her eyes closed, her breathing even. She relaxed slightly as she heard the heavy footsteps retreat from her door.
Anakin, her mind whispered as she snuggled into the comfort of Anakin's cloak. Please come soon.
CORUSCANT, INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT - JEDI TRANSPORT
Obi-wan glanced at Anakin, seeing his eyes closed as he reached out for Padme. Suddenly, the young Jedi's face lit up with recognition and he opened his eyes.
"There! The Senator is in that building!" he cried, pointing to a looming building in the distance. Following his gaze, several of the assorted Jedi looked confused. What would the Senator be doing there and how was young Skywalker so certain about it? Suddenly, Anakin's com-link buzzed and C3-PO's voice came over the line.
"Master Anakin?" the droid inquired. "I have just finished repairing R2 and he says Miss Padme's tracking device is sending a signal from the abandoned Energy building in the Industrial District."
Nodding, Ki-Adi Mundi punched in the coordinates and the ship responded, accelerating smoothly towards the building Anakin had indicated originally. Masters Windu and Yoda exchanged a long look before standing to prepare themselves for the rescue mission ahead. Kit Fisto also rose, his distinctive features drawn into a look of fierce concentration. As Anakin's gaze passed over the rest of the occupants of the transport, he felt a surge of gratitude for these honorable warriors. A trickle of sadness began to enter his heart as he realized this would most likely be his last mission - the final time he would be able to help protect his friends.
"Relax," Obi-wan murmured. Letting go of his emotions, Anakin straightened, once again staring at the approaching building.
I'm coming, my love.
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT - ABANDONED ENERGY BUILDING - MAIN CONTROL CENTER
Satisfied, the droid assassin fused the final two wires together. Resetting his system, he was pleased to feel his entire program come back online, including the remainder of his mission.
Target: Padme Amidala
Home Planet: Naboo
Species: Human, Female
Known Allergies: Hirtii
Approved Actions: Capture, Imprison, Injure
Final Objective: Terminate
Moving quickly, he headed towards the target's door, opening it violently. The sudden commotion startled his prisoner and revealed that she was awake. Easily, he grabbed her slight body, ignoring her feeble struggles and bound her arms and legs with restraints. Pulling her down the hallway, he started towards the main energy reactor, ready to execute his final protocol.
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT - ABANDONED ENERGY BUILDING, OUTSIDE
As the transport pulled up to the docking bay, the Jedi spilled out of it, activating their weapons and charging for the entrance. Anakin and Obi-wan ran side-by-side, ready for whatever lay inside.
Moving seamlessly, the group gained entry to the building, slicing through the doors with their light sabers. As they stepped through, they were overcome with a barrage of laser fire. Anakin let the Force run through him, guiding his lightsaber as he deflected shot after shot. Gradually, the Jedi made progress as they cut down droid after droid.
"This isn't too hard," Obi-wan said sarcastically, slicing cleanly through another droid. Frowning, Anakin chopped the head off a droid and watched as it began to shoot random blasts at the ceiling. Quickly, he cut it in half, bringing his weapon up to sever the blaster.
Anakin! Please hurry! Her scream echoed in his head. Startled at the terror in her voice, he pressed forward, battling through the droids at a fierce speed. Finally reaching a break in the onslaught, he rushed forward, Obi-wan close on his heels.
ABANDONED ENERGY BUILDING, MAIN REACTOR
Struggling valiantly against her captor, Padme's heart sank as she saw the electrified pit come into view. As the relentless droid stalked past the control panel, she kicked out her legs, catching her bindings on a large switch and jerking them to a stop. With a growl, the droid tried to pull her free and Padme's arms screamed in pain. Biting her lip, she redoubled her effort, refusing to release her hold on the switch. Anakin! Please hurry!
With a final yank, the switch flipped forward and Padme's bindings slipped off the metal surface, allowing the droid to pull her easily. She tried to dig in her feet, but could find no grip on the slick surface.
"No!" she screamed as she felt herself nearing the edge. Suddenly, a large warning alarm started to sound and the room began to shake. The droid assassin didn't seem to notice as her jerked her off her feet and tossed her onto a conveyer belt. Immediately, the clamps engaged, locking securely around her ankles. Stepping back, the droid activated the machine and Padme gasped as the belt jerked forward. Looking ahead, she could see that the conveyer belt stretched to the middle of the open abyss where the clamps opened, dumping their claim and returning to the platform in a vicious cycle.
She looked around frantically. There would be a few seconds where her ankles would be free before she was plunged into the pit. If she could just find something to jump onto she might be able to escape. Craning her neck, she bit back a sob of fear as she saw there was nothing. She couldn't even run back up the belt - the building was shaking so violently, she was sure she would fall right off.
The clamps! She thought. I'll hold onto those and they'll take me back to the platform. A rush of hope flooded her heart as she examined the clamps. Manipulating them, they felt strong and seemed like they would hold her easily. Leaning forward, she felt the breath leave her body as she realized they were designed to retract on their return trip.
Reaching out, she tried to sense Anakin but came back empty. He wasn't going to make it in time, she realized. It's okay, Ani. I love you, I'll always love you.
Closing her eyes, Padme's mind was flooded with memories of her time with her husband. At peace, she straightened her spine, opened her eyes and prepared to face her death with dignity, her love's name on her lips.
And that's the sight that greeted Anakin Skywalker as he burst into the room.