Many thanks to everyone who reviewed and left comments. They are always very much appreciated. Now as we return to our story, we've learned already that Sifo-Dyas has made the initial order for the clones, but now needs to find the money, as well as the template for them. Meanwhile, Anakin and Padme are preparing to free Shmi from Tatooine. As we return to our story, many things should become more clear as events are moving in rapid motion. Enjoy!
Ajedistuckinthematrix: Your wish is my command ;).
Emerald Green Queen: As always, you flatter me with your kind words. My apologies for the tardiness of the last few updates. Hope this one came quicker for your tastes :). I believe we shall start to see how Sifo-Dyas and Jango Fett will eventually tie into Palpatine's plans. And as for your intuitions about Shmi, things are rarely simple in the GFFA. But please keep tuning in to see how it all turns out ;). Thanks again for your review and yes, the unanswered questions are intentional. I like to keep my readers guessing ;).
Ghostrider: Thanks for your review. As we saw in an earlier chapter, Palpatine is already aware of Shmi so probably the danger for her won't change, despite moving locations.
Hieiko: I appreciate you taking time out to read. Glad to know you are enjoying!
Calen: Thanks so much for your comments. Yes, Jedi are allowed 'relations' with a member of the opposite sex, but not attachments such as marriage. As far as Obi-Wan and Sabe, I will first use the excuse that this is AU in nature. Since there were major changes at the beginning of the fic, we are seeing the ramifications of those choices portrayed by these characters. And in this story, Obi-Wan is acting more like Qui-Gon, I believe he would be more open as he could see the other side of the code instead of strict adherance. Now, as for as their age difference, true Sabe is only around 17 while Obi-Wan is nearly 26; however, I will point out that in many parts of our world, this is not at all uncommon. Besides, in GFFA, especially on Naboo, 14 is considered the age of reason (like 18 yrs old is to us) so Sabe would be viewed in their society as an adult, free to do as she wishes. Hope this clears things up for you and give their relationship another chance as it will directly affect how Anakin will interact with Obi-Wan at this point and well into the future.
Fortune Zyne: Blush Why, thank you very much. Makes me happy to know that you are enjoying the story. Hope you like this update!
Green Apples Take Over the World: Thanks for reading. Love your penname ;).
NothingfeelsGood: Thanks so much for reading. As for your sense of foreboding, keep reading ;). Glad to know that you liked the part with Sifo-Dyas. We shall see more of him in this update.
LetNys: More Sabe and Obi-Wan coming right up. Hope you like this update! Thanks for reading:).
Nini the Electrocuted Sheep: Wow, thank you so very much for your extremely generous comments. I am always appreciative to read that I am keeping the characters true to form, as I also venture into how the AU changes their actions and thoughts. Thanks so much for reviewing. They are always welcomed ;).
The swirling lights of hyperspace had always fascinated him. Sar Dooku sat quietly in the pilot's chair…waiting. The newly indoctrinated Sith Lord had spent the majority of his voyage from the Unknown Regions intently studying the holocron given to him by his Master. It contained topics ranging from lightsaber techniques into the vast secret history of how the Sith could survive centuries undetected. Although as a Jedi, he had studied the holocron that had been captured after the Battle Ruusan over a thousand years ago, but it had been badly damaged and key pieces of information were missing.
Darth Tyranus.
Dooku could barely think the name, let alone accept that it belonged to him. Despite his many years of studying the nature of the Darkside of the Force, he half expected himself to become a mindless, murderous monster, bent on nothing but revenge. However, the former Jedi Master felt every bit the same, except for a strange presence that seemed to be always present. Perhaps I can control the raw power since I was a Master. I am not a mindless monster like the ancient Sith.
Sar would be lying if he said his new powers weren't intriguing. For the majority of his life his Jedi teachers had always restricted or reprimanded his fascination with the abilities that the Darkside provided. They were fools to fear something so empowering. It was becoming less surprising to him how the Sith had kept their existence a secret for so long. Indeed, the Jedi had greatly weakened throughout the ages. Dooku actually felt invigorated with the power that now coursed through his veins. The physical limits of his age had quickly disappeared as he felt like he did when he was a young knight. And in some ways, he felt even stronger now than he ever did at the height of his Jedi studies.
However, Dooku was troubled. How could his long time friend hold the keys to the future? The nomadic Jedi spent years away from Coruscant who had little or no interaction with any important political figures. Plus, his rank of Council member was more honorary than an indication of his influence. While it was true that Sifo-Dyas was believed to possess a unique connection with the Force, the Count could not fathom how he would help bring Darth Sidious' plans into fruition. However, if his old friend did not offer anything useful, he would bring no harm to him; despite whatever the Darkside would tell him to do.
A red flashing light brings the Sith apprentice out of his contemplations. He pushed the two silver plated levers up to their sub-light positions, returning the ship back into real space. Now before him was the moon of Nar Shaddaa, dwarfed by the large swamp planet of Nal Hutta in the distance. Count Dooku quickly obtained the appropriate clearance to land at one of the upscale platforms where he could begin his search. But he knew that he would not have to seek his friend for long as the Sith apprentice felt that Sifo-Dyas was already aware of his arrival.
After paying the dockmaster many credits to avoid any unwanted questions, the Serenno Count walked steadily towards a nearby cantina. The moon of Nar Shaddaa was always bristling with activity. Both humans and aliens from all corners of the galaxy visited this place, mainly to obtain items that were either hard to find or very illegal. Both the Republic and the Jedi tended to turn a blind eye to these transactions, especially since members of each institution would fetch a handsome sum from an eager bounty hunter. As he entered the drab establishment he scoffed inwardly. He had once told a very young Qui-Gon Jinn when they had visited this place in what seemed a lifetime ago that he would never find such a wretched hive of scum and villainy anywhere else. How he had been wrong.
The Sith Lord took his purchased drink and found a quiet corner of the cantina; away from the frolicking Twilek dancers and dissonant Bith musicians. He stared out into the skyline, observing the endless glowing buildings, as well as the racing airspeeders. The Force in this place billowed with the life that resided here. It was a perfect place to hide from the galaxy and even perhaps destiny. Maybe there was still time to walk away from this venture, before it truly was too late?
Yet, that was not to be as he failed to sense the Jedi approach. "Sar Dooku, it has truly been a long time."
The grey bearded man stirred nervously in his seat for a moment before rising to extend his greetings. "Too long, my old friend." He then motioned for Sifo-Dyas to sit down as he returned to his place. The two men sat anxiously across from one another, looking everywhere else except at each other. Dooku finally broke the silence. "I was remembering when Qui-Gon first came with me on a mission here."
Sifo-Dyas smirked as he folded his arms loosely against his chest. "I'm sure he loved it, given all the pathetic lifeforms that come to this moon."
The Count ungraciously snorted. "Well, he always had a penchant for finding those less fortunate beings in the galaxy, present company included," he joked.
"He did indeed," the Jedi snapped in return. After a brief pause, he added, "So what brings one of the lost twenty to this part of the cosmos?"
At first, Dooku had lost all sense of time. For a brief moment, he forgot about the Dark Lord and he was once again a reputable Jedi. Unfortunately, that was not the case and he had no choice but to obey his Master's wishes. "I might ask the same of you, Master. Nar Shaddaa is hardly a vacation spot for a Jedi Council member."
Sifo merely chuckled before taking a swig of his drink. "If you can believe it, I was actually looking for you."
"Me?"
The Jedi Master nearly winced at the familiarity of the conversation, having one so similar recently. "Word has it that you have come into a bit of financial independence since your departure from the Order."
Sar looked at him blankly, unsure where he was going with this. However, playing along, he answered, "If you mean the reclamation of my Serenno birthright, then yes, you could say that I am rather well off."
Sifo-Dyas chuckled as he countered, "Sar, Sar, always the modest one. From what I understand, you have enough credits to control half the Senate."
"You have interesting sources, old friend," the Count said wryly. After he took a drink from his glass, he added, "What exactly are you getting at?"
His posture noticeably tensing, the Jedi leaned closer to Dooku as to not be heard by inquisitive ears. "Do you remember the last time we spoke?"
The Count nodded. A few months before Qui-Gon's death on Naboo, the three Masters had coincidentally been on Coruscant at the same time—an event that rarely happened. But, whenever it did, the three men would plan to spend usually their last evening on planet at an underground bar that they thought would be devoid of anybody who could relay their conversations back to other Jedi, or worse, the Council.
It was during these impromptu meetings that shared their growing discontent with the Republic and how the Jedi Council seemed blind to the growing corruption. This last encounter that Sifo-Dyas was referring to, they had all voiced their concern over a strange vibration that was echoing throughout the Force. They all felt that something or someone of considerable strength was tapping into the Darkside of the Force, which seemed no longer as concerned with hiding its presence.
Yet, this reverberation was still subtle enough that many of the wizened Masters on the Council did not appear to detect it; or at least, did not admit any knowledge of it Coupled with the fact that they all observed the growing corruptness of the Senate and the Jedi's lack of response to these issues, all of them were no longer sure whether the Republic was worth defending.
"I remember. What does that have to do with why you were looking for me?"
Sifo-Dyas took a deep breath before answering. "Not long after our last time together, I began having visions—horrible impressions of the future." Dooku tipped his head slightly, indicating that he was listening intently. "Finally, they became too much and I left Coruscant in search…"
"In search of what?" The former Jedi asked curiously.
"My visions told me to assemble an army for the Republic."
"To what end?"
Without blinking, the Jedi Master answered, "To prepare for the impending return of the Sith."
Dooku looked at him in stunned disbelief as he sat back into his chair. Did he know that his long time friend was now one of the enemy? Sifo did not give any indication of his awareness of his turn; otherwise this would not have been a polite reminiscence of old times. At that same moment, the whispered call of the Darkside reverberated throughout his mind as it did back when he confronted the Master. It was urging him to learn more—that this Jedi was just as important as the Dark Lord had foreseen.
"I think you'd better start at the beginning, old friend."
Dooku sat stoically as his long time comrade retold him the story of how he left Coruscant in search of an army for the Republic. The Sith apprentice learned of the cloning facility on Kamino, as well as the surprising revelation that his former padawan, Komari Vosa was not only alive, but was leading one of the galaxy's most ill reputed crime syndicates. Yet, the Serenno Count was most intrigued that such a strong proponent of the Jedi Code as Sifo-Dyas would violate it in order to follow the will of the Force. Perhaps the Jedi are not as feeble minded as his Master believed.
An idea was forming in Sar's mind. Darth Sidious had his designs for the galaxy, but if Dooku had help from a friend, then perhaps they could mold it into the way he thought was best suited.
The two men had remained silent after Sifo-Dyas had finished speaking. The Sith apprentice finally observed, "Have you informed the Jedi Council yet of your actions?"
"No, I haven't," he answered regretfully. "And I don't plan to return to Coruscant for quite some time."
"Oh?"
The Jedi Master simply nodded. "If I return now and report everything that I have done, they will cancel the order and that is something I cannot allow."
"What will you do?"
"The Council is used to me being away for years at a time, so I plan to do as I have always done; I will let the Force guide me to where I'm needed," the Jedi answered.
Dooku folded his hands together as he stretched his forearms against the edge of the table. "Perhaps I can offer you another alternative."
"What do you mean?"
The Sith smirked as he leaned forward. "This is not the venue to discuss such a thing. Do you have accommodations?"
Sifo-Dyas eyed him curiously for a moment before answering. "Yes, it is in the former refugee sector."
"Very well," Dooku said as he stood up. "I shall meet you there shortly. There is…something I want to show you."
The sleek Angel Queen broke through the clouded skies over Kor Vella in route to a docking bay near the city's outskirts. Obi-Wan had sent them a coded message with the coordinates of the landing site that he prearranged, so as to not attract unwanted attention. Anakin grinned to himself as he glanced over and behind the copilots' chair. After many months, he finally finished the alcove that would house an astromech which could run the entire ship's operations in case he was ever unable to fly or needed assistance. Upon completion, the Queen happily gave him her blue astromech Artoo Detoo to use, especially since he had been instrumental in her escape during the blockade crisis.
The journey from Naboo had been relatively quiet. While Padmé and he had quite a bit to talk about, he sensed an unusual disconnect between her and Sabé. The boy surmised that something was bothering them, but it was none of his business to ask. In all honesty he was too focused on getting to Corellia, which would mean that they were only a few days away from freeing his mother. He couldn't wait to get her off the barren world and show her the beauty of Naboo and the home that Padmé had given them. They would be a family again soon.
Several minutes later, as all the steam from the landing cycle was quickly dissipating, Anakin saw the brown hooded form of his Master approaching the ship, carrying a large metal case. He quickly lowered the gangplank and ran out to greet him.
Obi-Wan chuckled happily as he returned the boy's embrace. "It is good to see you too, Anakin."
"I've missed you, Master. I can't believe that we are going to rescue Mom."
The Jedi nodded curtly as he replied, "I'm sure she will be thrilled to finally be off of Tatooine for good."
At that same moment, both Padmé and Sabé came out of the ship together, both dressed in the purple robes and white gowns of royal handmaidens. Obi-Wan immediately bowed before them. "Miladies, it is a pleasure to see you again."
The two young women smiled as they returned his bow. Padmé then said to him, "It is good to see you well, Master Jedi."
As he nodded in agreement, his gaze met the brown eyed one of Sabé's. "And I am surprised to see you, young handmaiden."
Fighting the urge to run into his arms and kiss him mercilessly, Sabé simply smiled. "As you know, Master Kenobi, it is my solemn oath to protect the Queen, no matter the circumstances."
Obi-Wan flashed an odd look, but knew whatever it was that he was sensing, she would tell him later. Before any of them could speak, Anakin turned to the Queen and asked, "Padmé, can I go and pick up the supplies that we will need for the remainder of our trip? It is going to take the ground crew at least two standard hours to refuel the ship."
The young monarch looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. "Actually, I will go with you." Before either Sabé or Obi-Wan could protest, she added, "Besides, there is minimal danger here and I have the High Protector to watch over me in case something happens." She then turned to Obi-Wan. "Did you receive the electronic credit transfer?"
"Yes, your highness," he responded dutifully. "I've already made the trade for the gold bars which are here in this case. It should be much more than we need."
"Let us hope so, Master Jedi," Padmé retorted worriedly. "I wouldn't want to have a repeat of what happened last time we were stuck on Tatooine."
Obi-Wan simply nodded. "We will wait here until your return, Milady."
Padmé nodded as she reached down to take Anakin's hand as the two headed out of the landing facility. After they disappeared from sight, the Jedi turned to Sabé. "What was that all about?"
The young handmaiden sighed as she answered, "Just a difference of opinion. Pay no attention."
Before Obi-Wan could protest, Sabé ran into his arms to feverishly kiss him. The two exchanged caresses before the Jedi withdrew reluctantly. "Let's get these things inside so we don't draw attention."
Blushing, Sabé nodded as she grabbed his bag filled with extra clothing and walked along side him into the ship. "I've missed you so much, Obi-Wan."
"And I you, Sabé. Even holochats and recorded messages aren't enough sometimes."
The young woman smirked. "I know. That's why I insisted on coming."
"Ah," Obi-Wan said knowingly. "No wonder her majesty seems upset."
"Well, I was worried about her safety, but I can't lie to you that I wanted to be here for other reasons too."
The young Jedi frowned as he secured the metal case into a large cabinet in the cargo hold. "Sabé, you must realize that we have to be very careful about showing our involvement with one another."
Becoming upset, the handmaiden retorted, "Why must we hide, Obi-Wan?"
He folded his arms tightly against his chest as he frowned at her. "You know why."
Now frowning, Sabé threw down his bag of clothes so she could angrily kick the side of the vessel without impediment. However, in her loss of control, she forgot that she wasn't wearing her boots as a stream of pain traversed her entire body. The normally graceful Queen's bodyguard was now hopping on one foot, cradling the other with both her hands, all the while yelling in frustration. Obi-Wan would have laughed had she not crying out in pain.
Quickly, he helped her to the floor of the ship, then took off her slipper. He placed both of his hands on her foot and gave her a cursory glance. "I am not as adept as a Jedi Healer, but I will do my best."
Sabé did not attempt to protest as she simply nodded in acknowledgement. And at that very same moment, she realized that her foot was no longer hurting. She opened her eyes to see Obi-Wan kneeling over her injured foot with his face contorted in deep concentration. A soft smile grew on her face as she observed how hard he was trying to make her feel better. This then caused her to feel guilty for the way she carried on earlier instead of just enjoying the quiet moment they had alone.
As soon as he finished with his healing meditation, Sabé whispered, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
The chief handmaiden sighed deeply before answering, "For acting like the back end of a shaak."
Obi-Wan smirked. "Good to know that I am not the only one that can act that way."
Sabé giggled as she gave him a mock glare of anger. "Watch yourself, Master Jedi. You know I still have one good foot."
He chuckled as he reached over to kiss her on the forehead. Obi-Wan then helped her back onto her feet. "Better?"
"Yes, much. Thank you."
The Jedi nodded. "Well, hopefully you will remember not to take on a durasteel ship next time."
"I will and I promise to do a better job at hiding my frustrations."
"I know," Obi-Wan said with a hint of a smile. "It still isn't easy for me either."
The couple stared lovingly into each other's eyes for several moments until they heard Anakin's high pitched voiced echoing throughout the rear of the ship. Obi-Wan turned around to see both Padmé and him carrying several bags as they boarded.
"That was fast," Sabé observed.
Anakin smirked. "Well, we didn't need all that much and her majesty is a very good shopper."
The others chuckled softly as the boy set down his bags and headed up to the cockpit. Meanwhile, Padmé gave both Obi-Wan and Sabé a knowing look before she turned to place her gathered supplies in the storage closet. While looking away from them, she said, "You know, we are going to be cramped in here for a few days and the ground crew still isn't finished prepping the ship. You both may want to take the opportunity and go for a walk before we leave."
Sabé gave her friend a smile of thanks as Obi-Wan commented, "That's a wonderful idea, your highness." He then turned to the young handmaiden, "Care to join me?"
"Why yes, Master Jedi. I would."
As the two were about to depart, Sabé turned around to see a smirking Queen watching them. She them mouthed the words thank you.
Padmé simply nodded as she returned her attention towards Anakin. "Now Ani, tell me again what Artoo is supposed to help you with…"
Sabé smiled as she knew that her best friend understood her actions. Perhaps in time, they would speak of it. But for now, she would just simply enjoy being with her love.
Later that evening after Padmé and Sabé went below deck to sleep and Obi-Wan to the cargo hold to meditate, young Anakin was too restless to fall asleep. Rather, he sat in his pilot's chair, staring out at the cacophony of light as they voyaged through hyperspace. His mind was racing with everything he wanted to talk about when he saw his mother; but most importantly the boy wished to share how much he had missed her. Then perhaps they both could put their wretched past behind them forever.
Anakin had been so lost in thought that he didn't sense Obi-Wan walk over to sit next to him. He glanced out of the viewport briefly before getting the boy's attention.
"Can't sleep?"
He noticeably stirred before catching a mischievous grin plastered across the Jedi's face. After composing himself, he answered, "No, Master. I guess I am just too excited about seeing Mom again."
Obi-Wan nodded silently. "I can imagine." They sat quietly again for several minutes before the young Knight said, "I have a task for you when we reach Tatooine."
"More training, Master?"
"In a manner of speaking," he answered softy. "I know that you went through some terrible ordeals during your enslavement and I am aware that you harbor considerable anger over the way both you and your mother were treated." Anakin stared blankly at his Master, unsure what to say. However, noticing that Obi-Wan was waiting for an answer to continue, he simply dipped his head slightly. "Sometimes the pains and fears we have early in life can overwhelm us later if we do not directly face them. It seems that the Force is giving you the opportunity to confront these feelings now. Do you understand?"
The boy sat silent, but all the while listening. Even though he didn't fully comprehend everything, Anakin was aware of those dark feelings that he harbored deep inside himself over what happened to them. His time on Naboo had helped him begin the healing process; however, he had been so caught up with the moment, he hadn't thought about any of this, until now. Some of the old hurts and that bitter resentment began to rise again.
Anakin found himself remembering being whipped because of an error he made in the junk yard or being deprived of food for days when he broke something further in a failed attempt at repair. He also recalled instances when Gardolla the Hutt would have her minions beat on him for no better reason than that he was human; while his mother tried to get to him, but was held back and made to watch as they continued their torment. Those and a hundred other horrible memories lifted to the surface as he recalled them in painstaking detail.
At that moment, tears began to stream down Anakin's face as a look of determination filled his expression. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan watched the boy intently as he motioned for him to stand up. Placing a hand on Anakin's shoulder, he quietly said, "I know it hurts. Just let it go."
As if on cue, a deluge of emotion escaped the sandy haired boy's small frame as he shuddered, crying. The Jedi Knight wrapped him in a fatherly embrace as Anakin muttered, "It was so horrible, Master. Sometimes I just wanted to kill them all, to make them pay for what they did." After releasing those words, Anakin felt a black veil fill his senses, which lurch him backwards in surprise. For a brief moment, he believed that he had the power to make those things happen—to make all who hurt them suffer like he and his mother did for years.
A pang of guilt filled him as he looked towards Obi-Wan whose expression remained unaltered. Before Anakin could find the words, the Jedi moved closer to help him stand. "That was the voice of the Darkside beckoning you."
The young boy looked as if he had been struck, trying to grasp what just happened. Seeming to read his thoughts, the Jedi Knight said, "Anger, fear, and aggression: when you feel them deeply, they are the guideposts—the beginning of the dark path."
"But how can I possibly avoid that, Master?" Anakin asked meekly. "All those things that happened to me and Mom will never go away."
"No, they won't; but, the feelings you have connected to them can fade, if you spend time meditating in order to release them into the Force." Obi-Wan offered the boy a slight smile as he added, "And in time, these events will bring you strength as you face other obstacles."
"It all seems so tough, Master. I don't know if I can do all that."
The Jedi squeezed the boy's shoulder affectionately as he said, "With time and more training, you will. I promise."
At the same time, the two Naboovian women were both lying on their small bunks, unable to fall asleep. Sabé stared blankly at the ship's bulkhead as she counted all the rivets she could see in hope that it would lull her to sleep. Even though Padmé did not seem upset with her, the young handmaiden was bothered that they still had to yet to speak about anything significant. Sabé restlessly shifted onto her side, which Padmé did almost at the same exact moment.
"Can't sleep either?" The decoy asked.
"Not a wink."
"A lot on your mind, your highness?"
Sabé could hear the ruffling of sheets as the Queen tossed about again on her bunk. She exhaled loudly before she answered. "Why didn't you tell me about you and Obi-Wan?"
The handmaiden shifted further on her side to see that her friend had done the same and was looking at her. "I didn't want you to mad. Plus, we obviously have to keep it a secret. I haven't even told the others anything although I'm sure by now they suspect."
There was no immediate response to Sabé's admission. The young woman began to think that Padmé didn't hear what she said until she spoke again. "I thought we could tell each other anything, good or bad."
"We can, it's just…I didn't want you to be disappointed."
Padmé's face creased as she retorted, "Why would I be disappointed?"
"Because Obi-Wan is a Jedi for one and you know they have their code as far as attachments go."
Another deep sighed echoed from the Queen's side of the room. "You aren't exactly a child and I am definitely not your mother so it isn't for me to say anything about your choices."
"But you are my best friend."
Padmé nodded. "And as your friend, of course I will give you my opinion if you ask for it. However, I am not going to change my opinion or my feelings for you because of your decisions."
"I just really believed you would be really angry with me," Sabé replied sheepishly.
The young monarch smirked as she returned to resting on her back. "You know, you are like a sister to me and if you tell me that you are happy then I am happy for you and will support you in any way I can."
"I think I am truly in love him, Padmé."
"I know," she said with a knowing smirk. "And I apologize for being distant earlier. I suppose I was hurt that you couldn't tell what was going on. I started to think that we were no longer close like we once were."
"Oh Mé, you also are like a sister to me and we have been through too much together to ever lose that bond."
The two young women smiled at one another as the tension dissolved instantly. A devilish grin then filled the face of Naboo's Queen as she girlishly asked, "So, now you have to tell me how you two got together." Sabé smirked as she sat up on her bunk, eager to retell the wonderful story.
TBC-Thoughts and comments are appreciated. Makes a muse happy!
