Chapter 4: The Escape from Paradise to Doom

They waited on top of the walkway that led away from the palace. The Force was strained, but Obi-Wan expected it to be. With all the fear and death, it was incredible hard to even concentrate with the Force blaring in his head. But, he did and now, he and Anakin perched on the top, waiting for the small armed escort coming from the palace come to them.

"Will this work?" Anakin asked, uncertain as he peaked around the pillar.

Obi-Wan didn't know. "We must trust the Force to guide us."

As the escort drew closer, Obi-Wan could make out the fashionable and quite extravagant attire on a few individuals. Obi-Wan must admit, the Naboo dressed very odd and extreme. Surrounding the colorful array were dull painted droids. The tan and skinny machines marched with blasters ready to fire on anyone who came near. Obi-Wan pushed the Force for any sense and he felt the same dread Anakin must have felt. They were going to execute the Queen.

Obi-Wan signaled to Anakin. "Ready in three."

Obi-Wan counted through their bond and right when the escort got to the exact point, Obi-Wan and Anakin leapt from their hiding spot. Obi-Wan unleashed his lightsaber and swung while Anakin, who obtained a stolen blaster from one of the destroyed droids, fired bolts into the droids' chests. The droids stood no chance. In seconds, Obi-Wan and Anakin eliminated the droids and freed the hostages.

A tall, dark man, wearing a captain's hat stood protectively in front of the more elaborate dressed woman. The young woman's face was painted white and lips dyed red. She must be the Queen. Except Obi-Wan didn't feel like she was the actual Queen. There was something… the Force felt funny around another individual rather than the Queen.

Obi-Wan quickly ignored the oddity when the captain came up to him. "Jedi! You heard our distress call? That quickly?"

Obi-Wan extinguished his blade. He had no intention in correcting the man. "We need to get you off planet, Your Highness" he addressed the Queen. "I fear that this invasion is to end with your death."

"They won't kill her," said an elderly man with pointy white beard. "They need her to sign a treaty first to make this all legal."

"Legal?" Anakin cut in, disgusted. "There's nothing legal about murder!"

Obi-Wan rested his hand on Anakin's shoulder. The boy bristled, but he fell silent. "They'll kill her the minute she signs," Obi-Wan said to the captain, but his eyes were on the Queen. "There's something else happening here, Your Highness."

A siren rang overhead, blaring a warning to all. The captain bent down and stole one of the droid's blasters, eyes scanning around for any enemies. Time was running out for them. "In either case, it's too dangerous for the Queen to stay in Naboo," Obi-Wan said.

"I belong with my people," the Queen said, stoically and unafraid. Obi-Wan did admire her stature, but not her idealism.

"My instincts tell me that you will be destroyed if you stay."

His comment frightened the elder man, causing him to babble in a state of panic. "Your Highness! Perhaps we should heed his warning…"

The Queen held up her hand, quietening the man. Her eyes turned away from the gentleman and looked to the tight huddled of similarly dressed handmaidens. They were dressed in a fiery robe, beginning with yellow on the bottom and rising to red at their heads. Their faces were covered. Obi-Wan could barely make any of them out. He expected it was meant that way.

The Queen looked at each face. "Either choice is a great risk," she said to her confidants. "For us all."

The handmaidens gathered closer together and it amused and bewildered Obi-Wan by their actions. The Queen was taking preferences from her dress helpers rather than the captain or himself.

Suddenly, the young handmaiden on the Queen's left replied, firmly. "We are brave, Your Highness."

The Queen turned back to Obi-Wan. "There's a hanger not too far from here."

"I'll lead the way," the captain offered and the small group maneuvered their way through the battleground.

Obi-Wan instructed Anakin to be alert and keen. They checked corners and high towers for any reflections of the droids blasters or metal bodies. They shot a few and sliced more down, but in a much quicker amount of time than Obi-Wan expected. Minutes later, they arrived at the small hanger.

"Whoa!" Anakin gasped, eyes right on the chromium covered vessel. It was a sleek and high-end J-Type ship. A ship for royalty most certainly. Anakin turned to Obi-Wan. "How fast do you think it can go?"

"It doesn't matter how fast it can go. We don't have a pilot. None of them are here," the captain pointed around the empty hanger.

The hanger was entirely empty except for the small fleet of ships. It didn't look too good for them. Fortunately, they had a pilot among them. "That's fine," Obi-Wan said, "We have a pilot."

The Naboo looked strangely at Obi-Wan, who only smiled down at clueless Anakin, who was too engrossed by the ships before him. "Let's board and get out of here before they take control of the gunners."

The party boarded the ship and Obi-Wan and Anakin headed to the cockpit with the captain trailing after them. "Even if you can pilot this ship, there's no way to pass the blockade."

Obi-Wan cocked an eyebrow at the captain. "Blockade?"

The captain's dark face hardened. "Yes, don't you know?"

Of course he didn't know! But, nonetheless, they couldn't stay here. If Obi-Wan was right in his assumption that Dooku and Qui-Gon were involved in this invasion, then attempting to run through the blockade was a better choice. "Doesn't matter," Obi-Wan dismissed. "It's our only option."

"If you get us blown up—"

"It's not me that's piloting," Obi-Wan said taking the co-pilot seat as Anakin hesitantly looked to Obi-Wan for confirmation.

Obi-Wan gave him the go-ahead. "I would consider this dire circumstances."

Then Anakin's face split into smile so big that his eyes barely showed. He jumped into the pilot's chair and strapped himself into the pilot seat.

The captain looked appalled. "You're letting a boy pilot this ship?!"

"He's the best pilot we have."

"But the Queen!"

"Doesn't have to know," Obi-Wan finished the argument.

Anakin was straining over the control panels, familiarizing himself on each button and switch. He pushed down a couple of buttons and flipped the switch closest to him. The engines groaned before the sound of rushing air caused the ship to shudder. Anakin got the engine ready, the whirring sounds of wind notified that they were preparing to depart. Anakin gripped the steers. "Hang on tight!"

They shot out of the hanger at an incredibly speed. Obi-Wan sensed the ion cannons aiming for them, but Anakin maneuvered the ship with relative ease out of the cannon's fire. The ship rocked against the near misses, but Anakin smoothly got it under control. In minutes, the city of Theed was nothing but a speck below as they entered the vast sea of space… and a horde of battleship stations.

The captain wasn't kidding about the blockade. It was massive! Station after station ringed around the planet. It would be impossible for anyone to get out. Obi-Wan looked over to Anakin. He was guiding the ship with scrutinizing concentration. He reached over and slapped on a yellow button. "Shield's up!" Anakin called, but he looked to Obi-Wan and said more quietly. "Brace yourself."

The battle stations fired. Anakin did his best to keep the ship intact, but the shields on the Nubian vessel was not as strong as a war ship. The captain, holding on for dear life, looked angrier by the minute. "We should abort!" he yelled over the sounds of cannons hitting the ship. "They're going to kill us!"

The captain was correct in that one aspect. If they kept up with their plan, the ship would eventually be blown into bits. The ship's shields were already faltering and soon they would all be just bits of stardust. Obi-Wan tried to think back about his studies on the Trade Federation and weaponry. He remembered some of his lessons, trying to recall the exact notes.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, gaining Anakin's attention for a brief moment before he had to swerve to miss another blow. "The Trade Federation uses pulser tracking. Spin the ship and that will ease up on the hits."

The suggestion only made Anakin's grin wider. "I think I can do a few tricks."

Anakin pulled a few levers and soon, the ship was spinning and Obi-Wan immediately regretted the suggestion. His stomach jostled and rumbled, making him feel ill. They accelerated forward, going straight in a line to freedom, when a cannon hammered into them. The ship spun out of control and Anakin was gripping the steers as best he could, trying to reign control again. A blaring of warnings lit up the cockpit and Obi-Wan's heart sank upon learning its message.

"The deflectors are down," Obi-Wan reported. "If we get one big hit, we're done."

That got the captain in a tight knot. "You Jedi are going to get us all killed!"

Anakin growled at the captain's accusation. "No we aren't," he shouted back and he pressed another button. "Sending a team of droids right now to fix it."

One of the screens on the control panel turned on and Obi-Wan watched as R2 units rolled out on top of the Queen's vessel and working on the wound. One R2 unit blasted into smithereens from a direct hit. The other lost its hold and flew out into space. A few more got hit and soon, only a little blue R2 droid remained.

Anakin kept the ship leveled, doing his part to not swing drastically so that the droid wouldn't fly off. "Come on R2," Anakin muttered.

Obi-Wan was thinking of the same thing. They were so close now. If the droid fixed the deflector shield, then Anakin could jam the thrusters into full throttle and be gone from the blockade. He watched as the blue droid worked furiously, connecting wires amongst the fire and smoke.

A loud chirping sound brought Anakin and Obi-Wan to look at the panel. Even the captain looked over their shoulder. "I don't believe it!" the captain exclaimed. "That little droid did it!"

And indeed the blue R2 unit did. He brought the shields up. The droid returned to the ship, giving Anakin the go ahead. Anakin flipped up the switches and pulled the lever down. "Here we go!"

The ship rocketed away, leaving the blockade and Naboo behind in its dust. Obi-Wan gave a big sigh of relief, slouching in his seat. Anakin too felt a great burden fall off his shoulders as he piloted the battered ship into space. Proud of the boy's accomplishments, Obi-Wan patted him on the back. "You did well, Anakin," he said, smiling.

Anakin blushed before that trademark smirk of his appeared. "I always told you I'm a good pilot."

The captain behind them shook his head. "That was insane! You nearly got us killed!"

Obi-Wan looked back at the angry man. "Nearly is a far better option than the other one," Obi-Wan reminded him. "Besides, no one said it was going to be easy."

The captain paused and gave a disgruntled nod of gratitude. "My apologies. You have mine and the Queen's thanks," he said. "I'm afraid we didn't make proper introductions. I'm Captain Panaka. Head security officer of the Queen's Guard."

The captain struck out his hand. Obi-Wan politely accepted it. "Ben."

"Thank you, Master Ben," Captain Panaka said and then he turned to Anakin. "Your Master is correct. You did a good job piloting."

Anakin scrunched up his face at the captain's words. "Obi-Wan's not my master!" Anakin cried. "I'm not a slave!"

Anakin's outburst surprised both Obi-Wan and Captain Panaka. For Captain Panaka, he was taken aback by Anakin's furor on a title that he assumed all Jedi younglings respected of their elders. For Obi-Wan, he was alarmed by Anakin's use of his actual name.

Trying to regain control of the situation before Captain Panaka could question it, Obi-Wan offered an excuse. "Excuse him," he said to the captain. "Just prior to this we came upon a slave ring. He's a bit upset by the term 'master'."

Captain Panaka understood. "My apologies," he said to Anakin. "If you excuse me, I must check up on the Queen."

The captain excused himself, leaving Obi-Wan and Anakin alone. Obi-Wan threw a sharp look at Anakin. "You need to be more careful."

Anakin sunk lower into his seat. "Sorry, it just… slipped."

"I know, but you still need to check yourself," Obi-Wan said and he glanced to the door the captain exited from. "I think we're okay for now. Captain Panaka didn't seem to notice."

"That's good, right?"

"For us, yes, but Anakin… you need to control that temper of yours."

Anakin sighed heavily. "I know. I know, but… slavery always makes me feel angry."

Obi-Wan was well aware of that. Despite that he was rescued at the age of three from slavery, Anakin still had faint memories of the cruelty he had to endure in those short years. It never went away for him and any time slavery was mentioned, Anakin grew a hot head. Obi-Wan had spent almost the past decade teaching him to let go of his emotions, to accept the past and move forward from there. It was strenuous for Anakin, but he's improved greatly. He hadn't had an outburst in the past year.

"Slavery is inhumane and unjust. Those who commit slavery should not have freedom themselves," Obi-Wan said and he looked over at Anakin. "But you will still remain a slave if you keep your anger on it, young one. Anger and hatred is a form of slavery. You can never feel happiness if you feel anger or hate."

"I know," Anakin replied quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "Remember to let go of those negative feelings. They do you more harm than good."

"Okay."

Their discussion fell silent. Anakin kept piloting and Obi-Wan stared out into the mass of space. It puzzled Obi-Wan how quickly the Trade Federation organized itself into an invasion army. It most certainly had to do with Qui-Gon and Dooku, but to what means remained a mystery. The droids appeared to not recognize him or Anakin, so the invasion had nothing to do with them. Just poor timing. The blockade and invasion involved Naboo and the Queen, but Obi-Wan couldn't see how the planet or its government was vital for their plans of galaxy domination.

His concentration was interrupted by an abrupt alarm blaring in the cockpit. Obi-Wan glanced around for the source as Anakin started tapping away on the buttons. The door behind them hissed opened and Captain Panaka returned. "What's happening?" he demanded to know, his eyes searching the space for enemy ships.

Anakin peered at the control panel. "It seems that the hyperdrive is leaking."

"That sounds important."

"It is," Anakin said, sounding bored by how little Captain Panaka knew about ships. "We need to repair it."

Obi-Wan went to the map. "Are there any planets nearby?"

Captain Panaka shrugged. "Not that I am aware."

Obi-Wan studied the map. He found only one planet. "Tatooine," he said. "That's our best chance. The Trade Federation has no presence there."

"How can you be so sure?"

Because he visited the planet nearly seven years ago and knew it well. Of course, Obi-Wan didn't say that. "It's controlled by the Hutts."

The captain became alarmed. "You can't take the Royal Highness there! The Hutts are gangsters and—"

"It's the best we have," Obi-Wan cut the captain off. "If we go to a planet with Trade Federation connections, then we risked our lives for nothing. Besides, the Hutts aren't looking for her. That leaves us with an advantage."

Obi-Wan felt the captain's frustrations through the Force. Captain Panaka clearly wanted to argue more on the matter, but he thought better of it and kept silent. Obi-Wan closed the map. "Set the course to Tatooine, Anakin," he instructed.

Anakin set up the coordinates. Obi-Wan then turned to Captain Panaka. "I'll need to speak with the Queen of our change in plans."

Captain Panaka nodded and showed Obi-Wan out of the cockpit and toward the small conference room in the ship. The Queen sat perched on her throne, surrounded by her handmaidens on either side of the chair. The elder man sat in his own seat off to the side, looking quite shock and ill. It would seem he was not fond of Anakin's piloting talents.

Captain Panaka bowed before the Queen. "Your Highness," he said with an edge of discomfort. "There seems to be a change of plans."

The Queen eyed the captain. "What change?"

Captain Panaka looked back to Obi-Wan and stepped aside, giving Obi-Wan the floor. Obi-Wan mimicked the captain and bowed before the Queen. "I beg your pardon Your Highness," he said. "The hyperdrive is currently leaking. We won't be able to go much farther without fixing it. We scanned for the closest planets and decided that our best option is to land on Tatooine to make such repairs."

That very word rocked the elder man in fright. "The Hutts! You want to take the Queen to such a vile place?"

"It's the only planet that has no connections to the Trade Federation," Obi-Wan said, looking at the Queen. "As I discussed with your captain, landing on Tatootine would give us the advantage. The Trade Federation won't expect you to land there and the Hutts won't be expecting you at all. It will give us plenty of time to fix the ship and take you to your true destination."

"I do not agree," Captain Panaka stepped back in. "Tatooine is a dangerous place, Your Highness. I do not agree with the Jedi."

Obi-Wan glared at the captain, but he returned his focus to the young Queen. "Your Highness, Tatooine would be a far safer place than another planet while we make repairs," he implored. "You must trust me on this."

The Queen's eyebrow rose up challenging. "Must I?" she responded quietly. Then her eyes slide to look to her handmaidens. The handmaidens stared back.

After a brief moment, the Queen looked back to Obi-Wan. "I put my trust in your hands, Jedi."

Obi-Wan tried to not react to the comment. He gracefully bowed and thanked the Queen. Before he could return to Anakin, the blue R2 droid rolled into the makeshift throne room. He was dirty, covered in smoot and smudge from its heroic efforts. It tooted and beeped. The Queen smiled at the droid. Captain Panaka took the cue and introduced the droid to the Queen. "Your Highness, this heroic droid saved the ship back there. We are very lucky to have this droid in our services."

The Queen seemed to agree. "Very thankful," she praised the chirping droid. "It shall be commended. What is its number?"

Captain Panaka dusted away some of the mess away as the droid beeped, the light on and off. "Artoo-Detoo, Your Highness."

The Queen rose from her seat and placed her pale hand on top of the droid's dome. "Thank you Artoo-Detoo. You have proven your bravery and loyalty," she declared before calling out, "Padmé."

One of the handmaidens walked up to the Queen. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Clean this droid to your best ability," The Queen ordered. "It deserves our gratitude."

Padmé nodded and led the droid out of the room. Obi-Wan took that time to make his exit. He walked with Padmé and Artoo-Detoo down the corridor in silence. The Force around Obi-Wan swirled and felt thicker. Every step he took, the Force rocked him, making him waver a little.

"Are you all right?"

Obi-Wan blinked and found that Padmé had stopped walking and was looking at him with great concern. "Oh… yes. I'm fine. A little dizzy, but that happens sometimes with the Force."

Padmé was unsure if she should believe him or not, so Obi-Wan put up his best smile. "I'm quite all right," he assured her. "I thank you for your concerns."

Padmé accepted his response and carried on with her duties. They parted ways and Obi-Wan returned to the cockpit. Anakin twisted in his seat to watch Obi-Wan walk through the doorway. "What's the news?"

"We are still heading to Tatooine," Obi-Wan informed him.

Anakin kept a firm hold on the steers. "You seem nervous, Obi-Wan," he observed. "Why? What's wrong with Tatooine?"

So much, Obi-Wan wanted to say. Tatooine held a lot of bad memories for Obi-Wan. But there was one shining light about the planet—and it had nothing to do with the Twin Suns. It all had to do with his very first meeting with Anakin Skywalker. This was where Obi-Wan met the boy and where he witnessed the worst thing his master and grandmaster did in order to obtain Anakin.

But, of course, Obi-Wan said nothing. It was best to keep Anakin ignorant of those dark days. "Nothing's wrong with Tatooine. It's just not a super friendly planet."

Anakin snorted. "Well, I think you and I can handle it. We already had our share of non-friendlies."

The boy had no idea. Obi-Wan raked his fingers through his hair. "Land on the outside one of the major cities so we aren't detected."

Anakin nodded and piloted the ship toward the massive desert planet.

Nute Gunray was a cowardly figure. Most Neimoidians were. It was why Dooku chose them as they were easy to manipulate and wouldn't dare challenge him. Their weak hearts and minds made them the perfect scapegoat. Therefore, Dooku shouldn't be surprised to see them fretting when he commed them. The invasion should have been successful and the young Queen captive.

"Report," Dooku commanded underneath his oversized robe to hide his identity.

The Neimoidians—Gunray and Rune Haako—jumped out of their skins upon hearing his voice. Something that delighted and annoyed Dooku. Gunray stepped forward, his long fingers twisting together as he spoke in timid pieces. "We control all the cities in the northern and western parts of Naboo. We are rooting out any resistance—"

Dooku cared nothing about such. Of course they were going to capture those territories. The peaceful planet of Naboo had no army. They were no match against a droid army. "Yes, yes," he said, rather impatiently. He despised having to treat them praises on a job that wasn't hard at all. But he had to act cordially to them in order to keep the Neimoidians doing what they want. "You've done well. Now is time for the next steps. Eliminate any high officials.

"And what of Queen Amidala?" Dooku questioned the two Neimoidians. "Has she signed the treaty?"

That is when Dooku noticed that the Neimoidians looked more stricken than normal. Their red buggy eyes avoided him. That cause Dooku some concern. "What happened?" he demanded, the Force trembling around him.

Gunray took a deep breath. "It appears she disappeared, my Lord."

"Disappeared?"

"An escape," Haako said, fidgeting. "One of the Nubian ships managed to get passed our blockade."

Impossible! Dooku thought. Those battle stations were lined perfectly and weaponized to the extreme to ensure that no one could pass in or out of Naboo's orbit. This news was unacceptable. "How could you let her escape!" he thundered. "There's a whole army on that planet! How could you let her escape?"

Gunray trembled under Dooku's heated words. Gunray looked back to Haako, but his partner backed further away, stricken in horror. "We… we don't know," Gunray could only offer. "Last I knew, we had her in our clutches. Then the next, she was gone."

Dooku stirred underneath his robe. He wanted nothing more than to snap their necks. It was fortunate for them that they were still needed in order for Dooku's plan to continue fruition. The Queen's disappearance was only a minor setback. "Where did this ship go?"

Again, the Neimoidians were helpless. "We do not know. Once they past the blockade, we could not track them."

Incompetence. Dooku huffed in aggravation at the Neimoidians failure to do one simple task. Once this was all over, he would be more than happy to kill them personally. His gleaming yellow eyes started straight at the cowering Neimoidians, picturing their discarded bodies. It was the only thing that made Dooku happy at the moment.

Gunray was rattling on. "My Lord, we tried to follow the ship, but it eluded us. With it out of range, it will be impossible—"

Dooku shot up a hand to silence Gunray. "Nothing is impossible for the likes of us," he said. "I'll have your lost ship found and then you will get the Queen to sign that treaty."

Before the Neimoidians could thank him or acknowledge his statement, Dooku ended their connection. He pushed his dark hood away from his face as his yellow eyes brimmed in fury.

"Careful, Master. No need to lose control now."

Dooku turned on his heel to find Qui-Gon leaning back in his chair. He had witnessed the entire conversation and listened with quiet pensiveness. Dooku moved to stand in front of Qui-Gon. "The Neimoidians are complete idiots. Fools! How could they lose the Queen!?"

"What can I say?" Qui-Gon said with a nonchalant shrug. "You had incompetent men and you grossly underestimated the Queen."

Dooku glowered at his former padawan for his jab. "I have no need for your commentary. I want that ship found and the Queen's signature on the treaty or else this is for naught!"

Qui-Gon agreed. He sat up in his chair, fingers stroking his beard. "Perhaps we should send out one of your disciples?" he suggested. "They can locate the ship and deal with the Queen and her rescuers."

Dooku thought. "Yes… that is our best option," he agreed. "Should we send out Maul?"

"He's a savage," Qui-Gon spat. His former padawan didn't like the young Dathomirian's vicious fighting style and his uncontrollable rage. "If anything, he'll accidentally kill the Queen before she signs the treaty." Qui-Gon pondered a little longer. "I suggest Ventress. She has more control on her emotions and is an apt enough fighter to hold her own."

Dooku weighed the options, but he knew his old padawan was right. Ventress was the better option. "Inform Ventress of her new mission. She is to kill all, but the Queen. No survivors." Dooku checked the time. "I must go. I have a Council meeting that I cannot be late for."

Qui-Gon rose from his seat. "I'll go inform Ventress. She'll be excited to use her lightsabers on actual beings instead of droids."

"Tell her to be quick," Dooku added as he stepped into the turbolift. The yellow in his eyes faded, returning to normal color. He dared not enter the Council Chambers with bright yellow eyes and reeking of dark. He raised his shields, holding them tight. "I'll meet you later tonight to discuss more."

And with that, they two departed. One to join the Jedi Council to discuss the Naboo situation and Qui-Gon to give Ventress her very first mission.

If all worked well, Dooku thought. He could almost reach out and touch the future he and Qui-Gon were going to create. The Republic would be on their knees and the Jedi wiped out to be started anew.

All will be well in the end. Once the Queen is found and signs the treaty, that future would proceed onward. And nothing. Absolutely nothing would stop them. Not the Republic. Not the Jedi.

Not even the Force.