Disclaimer: Star Wars brings in tons of money and as I have not seen a single cent of that money, I am not George Lucas and therefore don't own Star Wars. And sadly, that means I don't own Obi-Wan either.
Summary: The second story in the Jedi Trials series. Obi-Wan's been captured, Qui-Gon's left the Jedi Order, and Anakin must learn to trust his new Master. The Republic is on the brink of war and only Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Anakin can save the galaxy.
Author's Notes: So sorry everyone! I meant to get this up Friday, but after having spent over four hours in the emergency room the night before and not getting home until after midnight feeling the same as I did before I went to the ER, I wrote nothing whatsoever. I'm so sorry again. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Torture and Death
By Kekelina
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Chapter Eighteen: The March on Coruscant
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Qui-Gon was in deep meditation when he received word that they had arrived. They had been in hyperspace since leaving Geonosis, and the trip had given him plenty of time to think and meditate in the Force.
His Master and his Padawan were dead at the hands of the Sith. He had known about Palpatine; he had been planning his removal from the Senate for months, but he hadn't been quick enough; he hadn't been able to stop the corruption. The Chancellor had killed ones that he loved. It was now or never. He had to be dealt with.
That was Qui-Gon's duty right now. It was up to him to make the Republic safe once again. Only he and the other Separatists knew the truth about the Republic's beloved Chancellor. It was their job to make sure more lives weren't lost.
But was this the right way? That was the question he had asked the Force as he and his army of droids flew closer and closer to the city-planet. He had begged it to clear up the confusion about his plan - to tell him if this was right or not – but all he had received in return was a cloud of confusion and doubt.
This was the only way. It had to be. How else was he supposed to remove Palpatine from the Senate? The Jedi didn't believe the truth. They couldn't see all the lies he was feeding them; they couldn't see all the damage he was doing. He had to protect the many innocent lives that would be cut down by the Sith Lord.
By killing them? an annoying voice in the back of his mind challenged.
Qui-Gon shook his head in response. It would be a quick battle, with as little lives as possible lost. The droids, led by General Grievous, would march into the Senate, destroy the Sith Lord, and then return to the ship so that they could head back to Geonosis. Simple. Easy.
What about the Jedi? the voice persisted. They'll come to the aid of the Senate. It's their duty.
Qui-Gon hung his head.
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Anakin walked quietly next to his Master as they made their way towards the hanger. They had just come from a Council gathering where they had received their first mission as a Master-Padawan team. Apparently, the Council finally decided that their bond was strong enough to endure a mission together, and they had been sent to settle a border dispute on a small Outer Rim planet. Anakin, while he was happy to finally be out of the Temple for a little bit, wasn't so sure that a mission was the best thing for them.
Master Bant had been very reserved since the Council had declared Knight Kenobi dead. The first few days since his death, Bant had rarely been seen without tears in her large silver eyes, and she had only ventured from their quarters when necessary. Anakin, wanting to give her space to grieve, had spent most of those days in one of the training rooms, practicing his lightsaber techniques religiously.
Finally one day, about a week after learning the news, he had awoke to find his Master sitting at the table, dressed and ready for the day, with a sad smile on her lips. He had spent that entire day show her how much he had improved his katas, and they had partaken in an easy spar, Anakin the victor.
While Anakin was extremely happy to see his Master get over the worst of her grief, he still noticed her staring off into space sometimes, even during his lightsaber practice. He was worried about her. What if she was unable to focus during their mission and became injured…or worse? Anakin couldn't lose another Master. They had bonded quickly, and while Anakin would never stop missing Qui-Gon, he had learned to respect his new Master. He had learned a lot from her and had even improved his healing skills.
He wouldn't let anything happen to her. He just hoped this mission was as routine as the Council said.
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"We have just landed on the planet," the blue holographic image of General Grievous reported. If Qui-Gon looked hard enough, he could just make out hundreds of battle droids behind the General.
It had been decided that Qui-Gon would remain in the large ship in orbit around Coruscant, for it would not be wise to send both their leaders into battle. Grievous, of course, had demanded he lead the droids. Qui-Gon, not wanting a conflict, had agreed. He would watch their progress and give orders as needed.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Good. Head directly to the Senate. Remember, I want no Jedi or Senators dead. Destroy Palpatine but do not kill any others."
Grievous growled at the order, but replied, "Of course." Qui-Gon was sure he heard him utter "Jedi scum" as the transmission was cut.
Qui-Gon sighed. The time had come.
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Anakin jumped in his Starfighter with great ease, relishing the feeling of the controls in his hand. "Finally," he muttered as he started up the ship. It had been quite awhile since he had flown anything. Ever since he had been a slave on Tatooine, he had loved flying. The speed, the exhilaration, the daring moves…everything about flying appealed to him. Flying was a part of him.
R4-P12 beeped a greeting as the ship began to hover, and Anakin nodded with a smile. "Me too, Arfour."
"I'm right behind you, Anakin," he heard his Master's voice crackle over the headset.
Anakin grinned. "Don't lag too far behind, Master," he jested as they began soaring over Coruscant, headed out of the atmosphere. "I know you may be the best at swimming, but I can out-fly anyone."
He heard her chuckle. "Well, when we get back to Coruscant, we may need to have a race."
"Anytime," he replied with a smile.
He was glad that she seemed to be returning to her old self. He was also glad that they were able to joke more freely. When he had first become her apprentice, there had been a wall between them. Their relationship as Master and Padawan had been tense and wary. Now, however, they were able to talk more freely, like he had been able to do with Qui-Gon. They were finally bonding, and whatever worries Anakin had about this mission, he knew it would help them become an even better Master-Padawan team.
R4's incessant beeping broke through his thoughts. Anakin looked over at the droid. "Droids? What?" Anakin replied, confused. R4 beeped more insistently, and Anakin looked down towards Coruscant, which was quickly becoming smaller. He strained his eyes and saw the small figures of hundreds of battle droids marching through the city.
"What in the - ?" he exclaimed in wonder. He hadn't seen so many battle droids in one spot since the invasion of Naboo. "Master," he said, his voice full of confusion.
Bant's voice crackled over the headset. "I see them. Let's go check it out." Her Starfighter dived suddenly, and Anakin followed suit. Their Starfighters picked up speed as they continued diving down to the surface of the planet. Anakin grinned as his body was rattled by the fast speeds and kept going even when Bant pulled out of the dive.
"Anakin," he heard her warn in worry. He just laughed. He continued his dive. The droids became large every millisecond, and he could see the detailing on them. A couple of droids noticed his ship and quickly tried to run away for fear of being crashed into.
"Anakin!" Bant exclaimed suddenly. He quickly pulled out of the dive, swiping one of the droids heads off with the wing of his Starfighter. R4 beeped worriedly, showing his lack of faith in Anakin's flying skills. Anakin, a smug look on his face, just laughed again.
The two Jedi flew over the droids, gazing at them in wonder. "It's an army," Bant said quietly, though Anakin could hear her perfectly. Anakin shook his head. Coruscant was being invaded? By who? The Separatists? Would they truly be so stupid and arrogant to think they could take over the city-planet?
The droids continued to march on, oblivious to the fact that there were two Jedi Starfighters flying over them, watching them march through the streets of Coruscant. They all seemed to be marching towards the same place, Anakin noted as he followed a battalion. Where were they going? He flew past a couple large skyscrapers and suddenly saw exactly where they were going.
"Master, they're headed for the Senate!" he said urgently. He heard Bant curse and contact the Temple for help. Anakin, who had created space between his ship and the droids as he had followed them, immediately dove again and started blasting droids away.
Blaster fire erupted around him as the droids started firing back.
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The Other Author's Notes: The end of this story is quickly approaching. Only two more chapters left to post, and then we start on Jedi Trials III. Don't forget to review!