Will he slaughter the Tusken Raiders or not? Let's find out! Thanks for the review, I would like more if possible!

Chapter 5

(sorry Watto fans, he wasn't required in this story, Shmi died a while ago, so Anakin doesn't need to find her)

Anakin and Padme left the ship they had parked next to the homestead. Padu had said that this was where he had been staying, so Anakin had come to see him, nightmares about him still continued. Padme had told R2 to stay with the ship as they walked to the house. C-3PO was working outside. "Oh, hello. How might I be of service? A am C…"

"3PO?" Anakin asked.

"Oh, my... Oh, my maker! Master Anakin! I knew you would return, I knew you would! And this must be Miss Padmé."

"Hello, 3PO." she said with a small smile.

"Oh, my circuits! I'm so pleased to see you both!"

"I've come to see Padu." Anakin said.

"I think... I think... Perhaps we'd better go indoors." 3PO said, leading the way. "Master Cliegg, Master Lars! Might I present two important visitors?"

Owen and Beru came out of the house, "I'm Anakin Skywalker." Anakin reached out his hand and shook Owen's.

"Owen Lars. This is my girlfriend, Beru."

"Hello." she said.

"I'm Padmé." Padme said.

"May I ask why you are here?" Owen asked.

"We are looking for Padu," Anakin said, "He's an old friend of mine and he said he would be staying here."

"You must be Ani then," Owen said, "Padu talked about you a lot. He said you were 3PO's maker."

Anakin smiled, "Yeah, I made him when I was 9, umm, where is Padu?"

"There was a fever going around several months ago, Padu saved the lives of most of us local farmers, he went to a homestead to the west of here, he never came back."

Anakin turned away frowning, "Tusken Raiders?"

"Yeah, several of us went after him, but we didn't get very far," Owen put a reassuring hand on Anakin shoulder, "He wouldn't take any payment, he only accepted 3PO, who was about to be sent to scrap anyway."

Cliegg arrived then. He had a nasty scar on his leg. "We all went out after him, but we must accept it, he's dead."

"He isn't," Anakin said walking away, "I can feel his pain."

"Take my speeder bike." Owen said.

Anakin nodded thanks and left. He stood outside looking out at the desert trying to find out where he went. "You are going to have to stay here. These are good people, Padmé. You'll be safe."

"Anakin…" she said, hugging him.

Anakin got on the speeder bike, "I won't be long." he fired the engine and speeded off.

He speeded off. Jawas directed him where to go and all he could think was the he could make it, if he was quick enough he could see his friend before he died.

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Padme, fed up with pacing walked into the garage where C-3PO was working. "Hello, Miss Padmé."

"Hello, 3PO."

"You can't sleep?"

"No, I have too many things on my mind, I guess."

"Are you worried about your work in the Senate?"

"No, I'm just concerned about Anakin. I said things... I'm afraid I may have hurt him. I don't know. Maybe I only hurt myself. For the first time in my life, I'm confused."

"I'm not sure it will make you feel any better Miss Padmé, but I don't think there's been a time in my life when I haven't been confused."

"I want him to know I care about him. I do care about him."

"Don't worry about Master Ani. He can take care of himself. Even in this awful place."

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The Archduke of Geonosis, Poggle the lesser, with his aide, Sun Fac and count Dooku sat around a table with Nute Gunray, Passel Argente and Wat Tambor. "Now, we must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." Dooku was saying.

"What about the Senator from Naboo? Is she dead yet? I'm not signing your treaty until I have her head on my desk." Nute replied.

"I am a man of my word, Viceroy." Dooku said.

"With these new Battle Droids we've built for you, Viceroy, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy." Poggle said.

"Now is the time, my friends. This is the moment when you have to decide between the Republic or the Confederacy of Independent Systems." Dooku said, Jango Fett had joined him at the head of the table, opposite them, Po Nudo, Tessek, Toonbuck Toora and various other member of Senate now sat. "As I explained to you earlier, I'm quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause with your support, gentlemen. And let me remind you of our absolute commitment to capitalism... of the lower taxes, the reduced tariffs, and the eventual abolition of all trade barriers. Signing this treaty will bring you profits beyond your wildest imagination. What we are proposing is completely free trade. Our friends in the Trade Federation have pledged their support. When their Battle Droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than anything in the galaxy, The Jedi will be overwhelmed. The Republic will agree to any demands we make."

"I am authorized by the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." Passel Argente said.

"We are most grateful for your cooperation, Chairman." Dooku replied.

"The Commerce Guilds do not at this time wish to become openly involved, But we shall support you in secret - and look forward to doing business with you."

"The Intergalactic Banking Clan will support you wholeheartedly, but only in a non-exclusive arrangement."

"The Techno Unions are at your disposal, Count." The various planets and systems were slipping away from the Republic before Obi Wan's eyes. He was hidden up in the ceiling, watching the deliberations.

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Anakin looked over the camp, one of the huts had two guards outside it, in the distance he could see four dead farmers, the men who had come after Padu, but obviously killed in the process. That was the one he needed to go to. He jumped off the cliff and crept to the back of the hut. Using his sabre he cut a hole. Padu was chained to a wooden frame. A Force inhibitor was around his arm. It was obvious he had been tortured. He cut the straps at Padu's arms and gently lowered him into his cradling arms. "Padu?"

"Ani?" Padu whispered, opening his bloody eyes slightly, "that you?"

"Yes, Padu, it's me, Ani," Anakin had tears flowing down his eyes, "You're safe now Padu."

"I tried," Padu chocked out, "I tried, but there were too many, my light sabre, over in the corner, take it to my Master, please, I won't last."

"I promise Padu. I will deliver it personally."

"I'm sorry, Ani," Padu closed his eyes in pain, "I won't be there to help you."

"You'll always be there Padu," Padu relaxed in his arms, finally being bereft of pain, "always.," Anakin whispered in a tortured voice. Padu his friend had died, all he felt was pain.

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Mace entered Yoda's rooms, Yoda opened his eyes and looked at Mace, "What is it?"

"Pain. Suffering. Death, I feel. Something terrible has happened. Young Skywalker is in pain. Terrible pain."

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He started to breath. Trying to calm down, there were more bodies that Padu's to get out of here, he would have to start negotiating. He was largely outnumbered, but that wasn't a problem for him, but many of these animals would be killed and that would be a problem. He sent out his reach and disabled all the blasters in the camp. He then took out Padu's sabre and ignited them both. Once outside the hut, he Force-shoved the two guards away. Many others came after them, but Anakin moved them away as well, when too many came towards him, he sliced them in half, but only in self defense. The lightning roared over his head and it looked as if it was dancing in his eyes. The Tuskens backed away, fearfully, they had never seen anything like this before, "You have killed my friend, and many innocents, how long do you think this will continue? How long before someone wipes you out," Anakin demanded in their language, "I could squash you all like Bantha poodo right now. But I will not, I warn you now, you take anymore people, kill any others, torture them, and I will return and repay them all tenfold. Stay away from them, or you will pay the price," the Tuskens cowered in frightened awe. Anakin went back into the hut and carried Padu out. "You have been warned." Anakin took the bodies of the farmers lying near and placed them on a trailer, Padu was placed behind the seat. With a parting glance, thunder and lightning still showing in his eyes, Anakin sped off, leaving the cowering Tuskens.

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Obi Wan was standing next to his ship examining the transmitter dish as he talked to R4. "The transmitter is working, but we're not receiving a return signal. Coruscant's too far. R4, can you boost the power?" R4 beeped in reply that it wasn't working, "We'll have to try something else." he said as he jumped into the cockpit. "Maybe we can contact Anakin on Naboo. It's much closer. Anakin, Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin? He's not on Naboo, R4. I'm going to try and widen the search. I hope nothing's happened to him."

Obi Wan was looking at the display as several creatures see him from an overlooking cliff. "That's Anakin's tracking signal all right, but it's coming from Tatooine. What in the blazes is he doing there? He's meant to be on Naboo." Obi Wan got out of the ship and spoke to R4, "All right. We're all set. We haven't much time. Anakin? Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi." Obi Wan could hear a beep coming from R2, Anakin and Padme were obviously not there, "Record this message and take it to your
mistress, Padmé... and the Jedi Skywalker... 'Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant.'" R2 dutifully recorded the message until it was cut off.

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Anakin arrived back at the homestead with the trailer full of dead farmers and Padu on the back of the speeder. Everyone was standing by and saw Anakin and the dead men. Owen sorted out the men in the trailer to be taken to their families, Anakin lifted up Padu and took him into the homestead. Cliegg watched with understanding as Anakin had a fierce look on his face.

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Padme was in the kitchen with Beru, preparing food for Anakin, "What's it like there?" Beru asked.

"I'm sorry?"

"On Naboo... What's it like?"

"Oh - It's... very green. With lots of water. And trees. Not like here at all." Padme was worried about Anakin, he had just lost his friend. She took out a tray and started to put food on it.

"I think I like it here better."

"Maybe you'll come and see it one day."

"I don't think so. I don't like to travel."

They finished preparing the tray. "Thanks, Beru." Padme smiled at the girl as she left the room. She walked to the garage, Anakin was standing at the workbench repairing part of the speeder bike, "I brought you something. Are you hungry?" she said, putting the tray down.

"The shifter broke. Life seems so much simpler when you're fixing things. I'm good at fixing things... Always was. But I couldn't…" Anakin stopped working, tears in his eyes, "Why did he have to die? He was so kind and gentle. He was dedicated to saving lives. He was a healer. He wanted to preserve life, and look what happened to him."

"There are some things people can't change Ani," Padme walked over to him and put a comforting hand on his hunched over back, "Not even a whole army of Jedi."

"I know," Anakin turned around and rested his head on her shoulder with a sigh. For a moment there was silence, just perfect calm in her arms. "They won't be attacking anyone anytime soon."

"What do you mean?" Padme said, slightly worried about what Anakin could have done in his time of hurt.

"I scared the living daylights out of them," he said with a slight smile, "and kept the death toll to a minimum, good work for a Jedi, even if I couldn't save..." Anakin slumped on the ground, Padme followed holding him as he mourned.

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A holo projection of Obi Wan flickered in front of Anakin. "Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant." Padme reached over to the control board and relayed the message to the Jedi Temple, "I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis. "The Trade Federation is to take taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala. The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are
forming an... Wait!... Wait!" Droidekas suddenly came on screen firing on Obi Wan. The connection then cut.

"More happening on Geonosis, I feel, than has been revealed." came over the connection from Corscant.

"I agree." Mace said, "Anakin, We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first
priority."

"Understood, Master," Anakin said as the hologram switched off. Padme looked at the ship's control panel and what it said.

"They'll never get there in time to save him. They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look, Geonosis is less than a parsec away."

Padme continued to hit buttons and switches as Anakin put a hand over hers stopping her preparations for take off. She stared at him in confusion."

"If he's still alive." Anakin said, knowing what could have happened to him.

"Ani, are you just going to sit here and let him die? He's your friend... your mentor…" Padme tried to reason.

"He's like my father, but you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here." Anakin tried to reason, while desperately wanting to go after him. (Imagine the line without him being whiny)

"He gave you strict orders to protect me…" she replied, pulling her hand free, flicking more switches and starting the engine, "...and I'm going to save Obi-Wan. So if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along."

Anakin grinned and took the controls as 3PO and R2 came forward and strapped themselves in.

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"The Commerce Guilds are preparing for war, there can be no doubt of that." Senator Organa said in the Chancellors office.

"Count Dooku must have made a treaty with them." Palpatine replied.

"We must stop them before they're ready."

"Exsueeze me, yousa honorable Supreme Chancellor, Sir. Maybe dissen Jedi stoppen the rebel army." JarJar put in.

"Master Yoda, how many Jedi are available to go to Geonosis?" Palpatine asked.

"Throughout the galaxy, thousands of Jedi there are. To send on a special mission, only two hundred are available."

"With all due respect for the Jedi Order, that doesn't sound like enough." Senator Organa said.

"Through negotiation the Jedi maintains peace. To start a war, we do not intend." Yoda said.

"The debate is over! Now we need that clone army…" Senator Aak said.

"Unfortunately, the debate is not over. The Senate will never approve the use of the clones before the separatists attack." Senator Organa said.

"This is a crisis! The Senate must vote the Chancellor emergency powers! He could then approve the use of the clones." Mas Amedda said.

"But what Senator would have the courage to propose such a radical amendment?" Palpatine said slyly.

"If only Senator Amidala were here." Mas Amedda put in.

JarJar quickly got the idea, "Mesa mosto Supreme Chancellor... Mesa gusto
pallos. Mesa proud to proposing the motion to give yousa Honour emergency powers."

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Obi Wan was being held in a force field. Blue electric bolts restrained him. Count Dooku was there circling Obi Wan as he was suspended in mid air, "Traitor!" Obi Wan spat.

"Hello, my friend. This is a mistake. A terrible mistake. They've gone too far. This is madness." Dooku said insincerely.

"I thought you were the leader here, Dooku."

"This had nothing to do with me, I assure you. I promise you I will petition immediately to have you set free."

"Well, I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work to do." Obi Wan said as if it was all a mild inconvenience.

"May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis?" Dooku asked slyly.

"I've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?" Obi Wan only gave him information he already knew. He wasn't going to play his hand just yet.

"There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of. Geonosians don't trust them."

"Well, who can blame them. But he is here, I can assure you."

"It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he were still alive. I could use his help right now."

"Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you." How does he know Qui gon's dead? There is only one way he could know, and that is if he was killed here! Obi Wan thought, keeping his face neutral.

"Don't be so sure, my young Jedi. You forget that he was once my apprentice just as you were once his. He knew all about the corruption in the Senate, but he would never have gone along with it if he had known the truth as I have."

"The truth?" Why's he lying?

"The truth. What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lords of the Sith?"

"No, that's not possible. The Jedi would be aware of it." Or not, but still, lies are obviously his way now, he is obviously a Sith.

"The dark side of the Force has clouded their vision, my friend. Hundreds of Senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious."

"I don't believe you." Don't let myself doubt, that will only lead the way to the Darkside, it's what he wants.

"The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious. But he was betrayed ten years ago by the Dark Lord. He came to me for help. He told me everything. The Jedi Council would not believe him. I tried many times to warn them but they wouldn't listen to me. Once they sensed the Dark Lord's presence, it would then be too late. You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy the Sith."

"I will never join you, Dooku." I will never become a Sith.

"It may be difficult to secure your release." Dooku said as he left.

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