Author's Note: Welcome to the 26th chapter of our ongoing saga. Whew! I get tired just acknowledging that! I've tried to reveal a bit more about Jarrick; I'm kinda having some fun writing him - he's such a bad dude. Thanks again for the reviews – you are so wonderful to take the time to let me know what you think!
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Master Windu knows him?
How is that possible?
Her thoughts collided with each other as they struggled to make sense of this strange turn of events. She pushed the questions aside and focused once again on the recordings.
"Ah, so good of you to remember," Jarrick responded smoothly.
"How could I forget such a powerful Force user?" Mace parried, his breaths becoming shallow and quick.
"So you've finally acknowledged what I have known in my heart forever," Jarrick mocked.
"I never denied it."
"Ah yes, how did you put it all those years ago? 'The boy's age is too great, and I sense the Dark Side around him; he is not fit to be a Jedi.' Is that correct?" The red eyes continued to flash with hatred.
"Perhaps. But I will point out that it appears my intuition served me well," Mace said dryly, flinching as his strength continued to drain away. He gradually allowed his head to sink to the cold floor.
"Well if this isn't a sight to behold," Jarrick ridiculed. "The great Master Windu, collapsed before me. The feeling is as powerful as I anticipated."
"You call yourself powerful?" Mace panted. "I only see cowardice. You refused to face us until your weapon had done the hard work for you."
"I am the weapon!" Jarrick shouted, his hood falling away, revealing the look of intense loathing on his face. Veins popped forth in his forehead as he began to pace. "It is my Dark power that fuels the object that is so relentlessly destroying your connection to the Light side of the Force! Don't you see the beauty of it? The only thing the Jedi have clung to for the past thousands years is going to be its downfall!"
Mace simply stared at him evenly. Jarrick ignored him and continued, his voice dripping with glee, "When the Jedi are eliminated, I will be the one responsible and I assure you - I will savor the feeling."
Padme watched in muted horror as Anakin began to stir. Such an air of rage surrounded him, she was surprised the air didn't crackle from it. Slowly, Obi-wan reached for his com-link and began to whisper into it. She remembered his message clearly - Our mission has failed... Padme, get out of here...
"What do you plan to do with us?" Mace muttered, keeping the attention on himself and away from Obi-wan and Anakin.
"I shall keep you in this pitiful state for a short while longer. I am expecting our new Galactic representative to arrive within an hour or two. She is very well known, so her full commitment may require some convincing, but I will do what I must," he mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Once she has agreed to stand by me, I'm afraid I will no longer have need for your presence. Your executions will be performed swiftly and, well, quite painfully to be honest."
"What respected politician would ever join you?" Mace gasped, his voice growing faint.
"I'm so very glad you asked, my good sir. I do believe the three of you are quite familiar with her," Jarrick simpered. Obi-wan looked at him with a growing sense of distress. "I do believe I will even bring her to your sentencing, just to make it extra bittersweet. I will do whatever it takes to help Senator Amidala sever the ties to her misguided past."
Padme stifled the cry of fear as she watched Anakin lunge forward, just as Obi-wan cried, "Wait! Anakin - NO!" and immediately the screen went dark.
"That's it? That's the end of the recording?" Padme cried.
TX-306 scanned the disk before replying, "Yes, Milady."
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Padme watched in detached amusement as her breath fogged the surface of the clouded window. Her only ally, the housekeeping droid, had left her 30 minutes earlier for a lengthy charging session. Unsure what her next move was, she had reverted to what she'd done as a little girl whenever she was stressed.
She drew.
Her finger traced a sharp line through the opaque moisture her breath had left on the window panes. Lacking the proper art supplies, she had improvised and the results weren't too bad, she admitted. She had done a rather impressive drawing of herself shooting Jarrick right between the eyes with a high powered blaster. Her satisfied smile fell as her predicament began to rear its head.
Force, what am I going to do?
She now knew Obi-wan, Mace and Anakin were helpless as long as that gemstone continued to operate. There was no way they had enough strength to destroy it given the state they were in. And as long as Jarrick still lived, he would continue feeding it an endless stream of hatred and despair.
Perhaps I could destroy it?
But she didn't even know where it was, let alone if she could even get out of her room. Plus, how was she expected to fight Jarrick, a powerful Force-user with an unnatural ability to command the Dark side? She wished she could talk to Anakin, but their connection continued to be blocked. She had tried to reach out to their Bond earlier and had again choked from the oppressive weight that squeezed her lungs in an iron vise.
But how had Anakin been able to move while Mace and Obi-wan remained nearly paralyzed?
She felt tears spring to her eyes as she the answer came to her: Anakin had let his rage course through his heart and it temporarily overpowered the gemstone. He was teetering on a fine line, she worried.. She relaxed slightly as she realized he had quickly let the emotions go, returning his soul to the Light side willingly. Even though it was destroying him.
But how long could he withstand the temptation, knowing I am in danger? The thought was too awful to finish.
Her heart twisted in her chest as she realized there was only one thing she could do. She slowly walked towards the door and punched in the access code. Immediately, two sentry guards stood at attention, their electrified staffs forming an "X" across the doorway. With a sigh, she stared into their blank eyes and said quietly,
"Tell Master Jarrick I agree. I shall follow his command."
Turning on her heel, she heard the door shut behind her as one of the guards left to relay her message. As if on autopilot, she walked into her closet and selected a deep red gown. Slowly, she slipped it on and fastened the tiny pearls with shaking fingers. Taking a seat in front of the ornate mirror, she ran a brush through her hair before pulling it into a complicated twist. When she was finished, she simply stared at her reflection until her features blurred.
Moments later, her door chimed and she stiffened, fighting the urge to dive under the bed and hide. She pressed a hand to her temple and took a deep breath before bidding the visitor to enter.
"My dear, I was so very happy when I received your message," Jarrick exclaimed. He was dressed in a dark blue cloak this time and the color brought her attention to his eyes. So similar and yet so frighteningly different. She tried to suppress the pang she felt as she thought of her husband.
"I have one condition," she stated clearly.
"Yes, Milady?" he inquired suspiciously.
"I will see the Jedi first." Her tone left no room for argument but she was prepared for one in any case.
She swallowed thickly as she saw him smile in anticipation.
"As you wish," he replied, his voice a deep growl. With a flourish, he indicated she should follow him and they left the room quickly. She concentrated hard, trying to memorize the path they were taking to the holding cells, but soon gave up. It was apparent that Jarrick was no fool and had taken the most convoluted way possible. She tried to hide her irritation and when he glanced back at her, she ensured her face was a mask of professionalism.
Finally, they stopped in front of a large wall and Padme looked at it questioningly. Where are we? She shivered involuntarily, suddenly aware of the cold chill that seemed to emanate from the area in front of her. She fought down a surge of panic at the emotions that were suddenly assaulting her. She looked at Jarrick in confusion as his eyes flashed red and he grinned.
She felt a sudden evil presence at the edge of her mind and she recoiled. No!
Anakin was hurt, obviously dying. She simply stood there and watched the remaining blood drain from his body. Her hands flew up to her mouth as she began to laugh.
She thrashed and tried to retreat, but a door slid shut behind her and pinned her in place.
She caressed the handle of the light saber, enjoying the feel of it in her small hand. With a flick of her finger, the purple blade activated. She smiled as she brought it down on the head of the man before her. Farewell, Master Windu.
Tendrils of hair broke free from the clasp and caught in the tears that were tracking down her cheeks. Slowly, she slid down the wall and stared up at him, her mental defenses weakening in exhaustion.
Obi-wan watched in serene detachment as she forced the poison down his throat. Moments later, he slumped to the floor, his blank eyes staring into an unseen void.
"What are you doing to me?" she whispered.
"Ensuring your cooperation," he said soothingly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "First, you will aid me in destroying your friends. Then, we will take on the Republic."
"I already agreed to be your representative," she mumbled, struggling to regain control of her mind.
"Do you still not realize how I can see into your mind?" he shouted. "Do you really think I didn't know you were simply coming down here hoping for a chance to free your precious Jedi?"
She could only stare as she felt his claws dig deeper into her mind.
His voice softened as he continued, "Why are you making me do this to you? I was so gentle. I gave you time to prepare, but you didn't use it. Didn't you see those visions I sent you for what they were? They were gifts - intensive mind exercises to ease your separation from your dear Anakin and his pathetic Jedi friends. Why didn't you listen?"
Gathering the last of her strength around her, she rose to her feet and simply said:
"Because I would rather die than suffer that fate."
