Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here.
AN: Here's chapter 21! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Never Gone
Chapter 21: The Trap
"Where are you taking me?" Anakin asked, as Padme led him through the streets of Theed. She had ordered him to keep his eyes shut until she told him it was okay to open them. Obi-Wan and Lea smiled, as they followed behind the young couple.
"You'll see, we're almost there," his beautiful wife answered. They arrived at the correct docking bay at the palace and Padme led him to the spot.
"Okay Ani, you can open your eyes now," Padme told him. Anakin did and before them sat a brand new, beautiful Nubian cruiser that was considerably larger than their other one.
"Wow...this is ours?" Anakin asked in disbelief.
"This is our wedding present from the queen. I remember mentioning to her a while back that you had a love for flying and ships. So, when she told me about this, I wanted it to be a surprise for you," Padme replied.
"It's incredible. When do I get to fly it?" Anakin asked eagerly. Padme giggled and looked back at Obi-Wan.
"Well, I was hoping that master Kenobi would allow us to take her out on short cruise today," Padme said, looking expectantly at Obi-Wan.
"By yourselves?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Come on Obi-Wan, it is our honeymoon," Anakin pleaded, as he wrapped his arms around Padme's waist. Obi-Wan sighed and then pointed his finger at them.
"Just for the day. Be back by sundown," Obi-Wan told them. Anakin did a mock salute.
"Yes sir!" he replied.
"Artoo, start giving the ship a look over and get it ready," Anakin told their faithful little astro droid. Artoo whirled in excitement, as he set off to begin his check. Anakin scooped Padme up in his arms and began carrying her toward the ramp.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Carrying you on the ship for our maiden voyage, milady," he replied, in his best formal voice. Padme giggled, as he carried her up the ramp.
"If the Council finds out that I'm letting them go alone, I'll be in for it," Obi-Wan said.
"They'll be fine. What the Council doesn't know, won't hurt them. Besides, we can stay around Theed today, so we're not far. There's many sites to see and I bet in all your time on Naboo, you've never gotten to enjoy any of them," Lea guessed.
"You would be correct milady," Obi-Wan replied. Lea rolled her eyes. She hated when he called her that, but he insisted when they were in public.
Anakin and Padme strapped into the pilot and co pilot chairs.
"Ready angel?" he asked.
"Take us out baby," she replied, leaning over to kiss his cheek.
"Artoo says we're all clear, so here we go," Anakin replied, as he powered up the primary engines and runners. Anakin pulled back on the controls and took them up. Once clear of the hanger, Anakin pressed the throttle down and flew them out of the atmosphere. Padme smiled, as she looked over at him, seeing the joy on his face.
"This is amazing. She's definitely fast," Anakin said.
"Well, you still need to name her," Padme replied. Anakin smiled.
"I'll get back to you on that," Anakin said, as he began calculating the coordinates for the jump to hyperspace. He powered up the engines and made the jump. He set the course to take them in a circle so they would eventually end up back in Naboo space in a few hours. Padme unbuckled her belt and took his hand.
"I still have to give you the tour," she said. Anakin smiled and unbuckled his own to follow her. After showing him the entire ship, they came back to the sitting room.
"It's definitely bigger than our other ship and faster," Anakin replied, with a grin, as he plopped down on the sofa. Padme sat next to him and giggled.
"You and your need for speed," she joked. He looked at her slyly.
"So, what do you want to do?" he asked. She smirked and straddled his lap, bunching her dress up around her knees.
"This," she replied, as she brought her lips to his. She kissed him softly and sensually, as she traced her tongue along his bottom lip. He eagerly parted his lips, allowing her tongue to slip inside his mouth. Padme wrapped her arms around his neck, as she kissed him deeply. He smiled, as their lips parted again for a moment.
"You taste good," he whispered in a husky tone.
"You're not so bad yourself," she replied, as her lips collided with his again.
Padme moved her lips over his furiously, locking in several hard kisses. Her hands began unbuttoning his tunic and she roughly shoved it off his shoulders, before her hands resumed their exploration of his upper body. Anakin felt the fires of passion lick at his nerves, as she displayed her aggressiveness. He kissed her back hard, while his hands fumbled with the zipper on the back of her dress...
Anakin came out of the cabin, dressed and freshly showered. Padme was still in the bedroom dressing and he headed to the cockpit to check their location. Everything looked okay and Anakin leaned back in the pilot chair with a smile on his face. Suddenly, without warning, their ship dropped out of hyperspace. Anakin sat up and began checking the controls.
"Artoo, what's going on? Why did we drop out of hyperspace?" Anakin asked over the com. The little droid whirled in response.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Anakin asked, as he waited for Artoo to run a scan. Artoo began beeping and clicking excitedly, while Anakin read the translator.
"A virus in the computer? How did wepick up a virus?" Anakin asked. Artoo whirred in response.
"You're saying that it's been there?" Anakin asked, puzzled. Artoo chirped affirmatively in response.
"I don't like this at all Artoo. See what you can do with it. I'm going to get on the comm and see if I can raise anyone at the palace back in the Theed," Anakin replied, as he switched on the comm station.
"Ani, what's wrong?" Padme asked, coming into the cockpit. Anakin looked back to see his beautiful wife dressed in a simple lavender dress, which was light and airy with no back. It was summer on Naboo and such attire was the standard for most Nabooan women. Her hair fell in ringlets around her and worry creased her brow, since she too had felt them drop out of hyperspace.
"Artoo says that there's some kind of computer virus in the ship's system. It's shut the whole ship down and I can't get us going again. He's trying to see if he can dispel the virus, while I try to get somebody on the comm," Anakin replied. Padme sat down in the co-pilot chair.
Anakin sent out their distress call and someone quickly responded.
"Anakin, this is Captain Typho. Are you and the Senator okay?" he asked. Anakin sighed in relief.
"We're fine captain, but the ship is dead in the water. The computer virus will have to be flushed out the system and unfortunately Artoo and I can't do that sitting up here," Anakin replied.
"Understood. There is a Republic cruiser nearby that happens to be en route to pass by Naboo. Queen Jamilla called in a request for their assistance. They accepted and they should be approaching you within the hour. They will contact you then and pull you in with the tractor beam," Typho said.
"Thank you captain," Anakin replied.
"Captain, can you please locate Master Kenobi and Lea and let them know that we're okay?" Padme asked.
"Absolutely Senator. We'll see you both in a few hours," Typho replied, as the transmission ended.
About an hour later, the Republic cruiser arrived and latched onto Anakin and Padme's ship, pulling them in. When docked, Anakin dropped the ramp and stepped down. He held his hand out and helped Padme down as well, while Artoo followed them down. Anakin looked around curiously. He sensed something, but he wasn't sure what.
"Senator Amidala, I am Commander Lien. We should be arriving on Naboo in a few short hours," the officer said.
"Thank you commander," Padme replied.
"One of my crewmen will show you and your husband to a place where you can rest until we arrive," the commander said, as motioned for one of his ensigns to come forward.
"That won't be necessary commander. I'll take care of the Senator," a female voice called. Anakin's head shot up to the railing, only to see Aurra Sing standing there with Nute Gunray and Rune Haako.
"What is the meaning of this? Who are you!" The commander demanded.
"Step aside commander and you won't get hurt. I've come for her ladyship. These nice men next to me have promised a small fortune for her death," Aurra replied. Anakin pulled Padme close to him, as Aurra Sing flipped over the railing and landed on their level. Using the Force, she sealed all the exits to the docking bay and jammed the controls. Two Droidekas rolled in and surrounded the officers present, holding them hostage.
"No one is getting in or out of this docking bay without my permission. Now Senator, come quietly, and I may let your husband live," Aurra said. Anakin pulled Padme behind him and drew the light saber that he had built under Obi-Wan's guidance. He stepped forward and ignited the sapphire blade. Aurra was shocked, but hid it well with a smirk.
"Where did you learn to fight with such a weapon, boy?" Aurra taunted.
"None of your business. You want her, then you'll have to go through me," Anakin spat back at her. Aurra smirked and pulled back her cloak to retrieve her own saber. She ignited it, revealing an orange blade.
"I'm going to enjoy this immensely. After I make your wife watch me kill you, then she'll be next," Aurra said.
"We'll see," Anakin replied. With a fierce cry, Aurra leapt toward him, saber blazing. Anakin was ready and countered her, by spinning around and bringing his blade up to meet hers. Sapphire singed against orange, as they fought for control.
"Obi-Wan has taught you well. I'm curious as to what the Jedi Council will make of your esteemed master's actions against the code," Aurra taunted.
"That's none of your business either. It's not like you're going to live to tell about it anyway," Anakin retorted.
"We shall see boy, we shall see," she laughed evilly.
Nute Gunray approached Padme with Rune Haako beside him.
"It will be a pleasure to finally make you suffer Senator," Gunray said, as he drew a long vibro blade from his cloak. He pressed the tip under her chin, while Rune shackled her wrists. Gunray withdrew the blade and walked around behind her. Padme yelped, as he yanked her by the hair and pulled her back, while bringing the blade around to her throat.
"I want your last images to be your husband dying, before I slit your throat. You two have caused me too much trouble and it ends today in your blood!" Gunray spat at her.
Anakin parried and clashed furiously with Aurra Sing. This was his first real saber battle and his opponent was very experienced and quite formidable.
"Let the Force flow through you Anakin. You can defeat her young one," Qui-Gon told him.
"I don't know master. She's far more experienced than I am," Anakin replied.
"Yes, Anakin, but she uses the dark side to aid her. This gives the illusion that she is stronger. But you have something she doesn't have. Love young one, use love. She will not be able to defeat such a Force," Qui-Gon told him.
"Love," Anakin repeated.
"Yes Anakin. Remember all Obi-Wan's teachings and let the Force guide you. It will not lead you wrong," Qui-Gon said.
Suddenly, Padme's cry pierced the air around him, as he saw Gunray yanking her by the hair.
"Padme!" Anakin cried, as he saw the filthy Neimodian bring the blade to her throat. Aurra took this opportunity and knocked Anakin's feet out from under him. Anakin leapt back up and met her saber again with his own.
"You're no match for me boy. I grow tired of this little battle," Aurra said, as she clenched her fist. Suddenly, Anakin couldn't breathe, as Aurra began to choke him with the Force. Anakin resisted her Force choke with his own use of the Force and heaved in air, as he tried to over power her.
"You are a strong one, I'll give you that," she said, as she extinguished her saber and pulled out a vibro dagger.
"I think it will be nice to eliminate both you and your wife by the same means," Aurra said, as she pushed him against the wall. Anakin struggled to get loose from her hold, but she kept inching closer to him. His saber fell from his hand and extinguished itself upon impact with the ground. Aurra drew the saber back and thrust it into Anakin's side. Anakin screamed in excruciating agony, as blood poured from the wound, staining his tunic crimson.
"Anakin!" Padme screamed in horror, her salty tears streaming down her face. Aurra pulled the dagger out with a jerk, causing Anakin to scream again. She pulled the blade back, and prepared to shove it into his heart.
"Nooooo!" Padme screamed, as she struggled with her shackles and cried uncontrollably. Anakin struggled to break free from her hold, as a wave of nausea swept through him.
"Obi-Wan," Anakin uttered.
Back on Naboo, Lea and Obi-Wan had returned to the palace upon hearing about Anakin and Padme's ship. Suddenly, Obi-Wan held his head in pain.
Obi-Wan!
"Obi-Wan, what is it?" Lea asked.
"It's Anakin. He's calling out to me through the Force. Something terrible is happening," Obi-Wan said, as he closed his eyes again.
"Anakin...Anakin, you must calm down. What is wrong?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Aurra...Sing," Anakin rasped.
Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open.
"What is it?" Lea asked.
"Anakin is fighting Aurra Sing...and he's hurt badly," Obi-Wan said gravely.
"Aurra Sing? But how can that be possible? They're supposed to be on a Republic cruiser," Lea exclaimed.
"They probably are. I'm willing to bet that Sing had this whole thing planned. There's a womp rat in the palace," Obi-Wan replied.
"What do you mean?" Lea asked.
"I think this little virus in their ship's computer was obviously planted by a contact that Sing has here on Naboo. Someone who has full access to everywhere in the palace," Obi-Wan replied.
"But who would betray Padme like that!" Lea cried. Obi-Wan placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Some will do anything for credits and power, my love," Obi-Wan reminded her. Lea looked around and seeing that they were completely alone, she wrapped her arms around Obi-Wan and laid her head against his chest.
"What are we going to do?" Lea asked.
"Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do. All we can do is trust in the Force and hope that Anakin can defeat her," Obi-Wan replied. He held the woman he loved, as she softly cried against him.
"Crying for you master won't help you. Goodbye Skywalker!" Aurra yelled, as she drew the dagger back, eager to shove it into his heart. Padme's piercing scream filled the air around them...