Guest: Don't really plan for any Christopher Lee references this chapter but we'll see next chapter. No spoilers.
The Invisible Hand, above Coruscant
On the bridge, General Grievous walked in, coughing a bit as he was escorted by his cybernetic guards.
"What's the situation Captain?" he asked the Neimoidian captain.
"Two Jedi have landed in the main hanger bay. We're tracking them," the captain informed him.
"Just as Count Dooku predicted," Grievous noted.
"They are not alone however," the captain said, taking Grievous aback. "Three others have also appeared in the main hanger bay. They seem to be working with the Jedi."
"How did they get onto the ship?" Grievous snarled.
"We're not sure yet, but their ship seems to have materialized in the hanger bay, moments before the Jedi's arrival," the captain said and Grievous's eyes narrowed. "It's a relatively small ship, only a signal person could fit inside."
"I want that ship brought to me. As soon as possible," Grievous snarled.
Several levels below, Anakin, Obi-Wan, And The Doctor led Rory and Amy towards a lift when they heard sounds behind them. Anakin and Obi-Wan turned a fraction of a second before The Doctor.
"Get down!" Obi-Wan shouted as he and Anakin ignited their lightsabers.
The Ponds dropped to the ground as Battle Droids Destroyers opened fire on them. The lift doors opened behind them as the Jedi did their best to deflect their blasts from the droids. The Doctor grabbed Amy and Rory and quickly moved them towards the lift. The trio moved inside and the Jedi followed them, the doors closing.
"What the Bloody Hell where those?!" Amy exclaimed as the Jedi extinguished their lightsabers.
"Destroyers. They work for Count Dooku," Obi-Wan explained.
"Same as those we first encountered, just a different brand," The Doctor explained.
"Brilliant," Rory said sarcastically.
Suddenly, the lift came to a sudden stop. Amy all but fell into Rory, who quickly caught her as the group looked around in bewilderment.
"I don't suppose someone pushed the stop button?" Rory asked, although his voice said exactly how much he believed that.
"Grievous knows we're here. He's trying to trap us, but there's more than one way to get out," Anakin said as he raised his lightsaber, igniting it.
"We don't want to get out, we want to get moving," Obi-Wan argued.
"I believe I can help with that," The Doctor said and the two Jedi looked at him in disbelief. "If I may?"
Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other in confusion before Obi-Wan shrugged. Anakin re-extinguished his lightsaber before stepping aside. The Doctor pulled out his screwdriver and walked over to the control panel. The Doctor used it on the panel and, after a moment, the lift started moving again.
"All good," The Doctor said as he lowered his screwdriver.
"What is that?" Anakin asked as he eyed the screwdriver curiously.
"My Sonic Screwdriver. Not quite as flashy as a lightsaber, but I'll say it's far more impressive," The Doctor said, twirling it in his hand.
"You use Sonic Technology. Just who are you?" Obi-Wan asked curiously and The Doctor smiled.
"I'm The Doctor," he said simply.
Before the conversation could continue, the lift doors opened. Tabling the discussion for now, the group stepped off, looking around.
"The Chancellor isn't far from here," Anakin said before pausing.
"What? What's wrong?" Rory asked, realizing something was wrong.
Anakin didn't respond, instead looking over at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan returned his grim look with one of his own.
"I sense it to," Obi-Wan said grimly.
"Sense what? What is going on?" Amy asked, as bewildered as her husband.
The two Jedi were silent, heading in another direction. The Ponds looked at the Doctor bewildered but he shrugged.
"In my experience, it's best not to question the instincts of a Jedi," The Doctor said before following after the two Jedi.
"Maybe we should have gone to Appalachia when we had the chance," Rory said dryly.
Amy was thinking the same thing but they still followed their friend and the Jedi. The group rounded the corner, coming upon a surprising sight.
A humanoid creature with red-orange skin and two horn like appendages that came down to the creature's mid rift was sitting on the floor, wearing the same clothes as Anakin and Obi-Wan. Behind her stood several battle droids and a huge, hulking alien creature. There was no doubt this was General Grievous.
"Shaak Ti," Anakin said, staring at the alien on the floor, who lifted her head as the group approached.
"I'm sorry Master Kenobi. I failed," she said as he looked at Obi-Wan regretfully before lowering her head.
"Ah, General Kenobi," Grievous said, looking at Obi-Wan before kneeling down before Shaak Ti. "We've been waiting for you."
They saw Grievous pull something out from under his cape. The Doctor realized what it was but there was no time for him to do anything. Grievous ignited his lightsaber and the beam burst through Shaak Ti's chest. The group watched horrified as it burned a hole through her heart before Grievous extinguished it. As Shaak Ti's body fell to the floor, Anakin and Obi-Wan ignited their lightsabers and The Doctor raised his screwdriver at Grievous.
"You will pay for that," The Doctor snarled, his eyes stormy.
"You didn't need to kill her," Amy said, her voice trembling with horror at what she had just witnessed and anger at the senseless cruelty. "She was defenseless!"
"He gets a kick out of killing Jedi. Don't you Grievous?" Anakin snarled his eyes hard as he glared at the cyborg.
"Um, we've got company," Rory called out as he glanced behind them.
The others followed Rory's gaze and saw several other battle droids walk up behind them. It was then they realized they were surrounded. Caught in Grievous's trap.
"Raggedy Man, what are you waiting for?" Amy hissed at The Doctor, waiting for him to use his screwdriver.
"There are too many. They'll start shooting the moment I do anything. And even if none of us get hit by some miracle, that still leaves Grievous," The Doctor, eying the cyborg wearily.
After a moment, Anakin and Obi-Wan extinguished their lightsabers, Anakin glaring at Grievous.
"That was a big-"
"Mistake," Obi-Wan finished for Anakin, the two Jedi glancing solemnly at Shaak Ti's body.
"A tragic ending of a gallant warrior no doubt," Grievous chuckled mockingly causing Amy to glare at him.
"Doctor, any ideas?" Rory asked as The Doctor remained silent, his eyes moving across the room.
"Working on it," The Doctor said as Anakin moved a hand from the side of his to his chin.
"Rescue Anakin, not mayhem," Obi-Wan said as he saw Anakin's movements.
As the others glanced at the two Jedi confused, Grievous chuckled.
"I look forward to adding your two lightsabers to my collection," Grievous mocked and The Doctor glared.
"How many Jedi have you killed?" The Doctor asked his voice as cold as ice.
"More than I can count over the course of this war," Grievous said menacingly.
While The Doctor was preoccupied with Grievous, Rory noticed Anakin moved his fingers across his lips before pointing to the ceiling.
"No," Obi-Wan whispered.
"Now's not the time to argue Master," Anakin whispered back.
"Might I recommend," Obi-Wan moved a finger over his mustache.
"There's far too many for that," Anakin pointed out.
"What are they doing?" Amy asked Rory bewildered.
"Trying to get us out of here," Rory whispered back. "Get ready to move."
Barely had the words left Rory's lips when Anakin ran finger across his right temple to his scar.
"Oh. Yes, alright," Obi-Wan agreed.
Anakin and Obi-Wan immediately ignited their lightsabers and began cutting a hole in the floor around them. The droids fired, the blasts either being deflected by the lightsabers as The Doctor began using his screwdriver to take out the droids before the Jedi finished their cut. They had created a circle large enough to wrap around all five of them and the cut floor then gave way, falling below.
The unexpected fall caused The Doctor to lose his grip on his screwdriver, which landed on the floor outside the hole.
"Don't fire," Grievous ordered his droids as he picked up the screwdriver curiously. "The fuel tanks are rupturing."
"The slightest charge will blast us into oblivion," Obi-Wan explained as he and The Doctor led the group through the rushing water.
"Which is why they've stopped shooting," Anakin noted.
"And I've lost my screwdriver, so I can't do anything," The Doctor said in dismay.
"At least we're safe for the time being," Anakin noted.
"Your idea of safe is not the same as mine," Obi-Wan said dryly.
"We need to find a way out of here," The Doctor argued.
"Looks like there's an exit of some kind up ahead," Amy said as she pointed to a hatch towards where the water was highest.
"Excellent Pond! Rory, kiss your wife for me," The Doctor said happily.
"I'd rather not kiss her for you," Rory deadpanned.
"Then kiss me for you," Amy said flirtatiously before pulling her surprised husband into a kiss.
"Are they always like this?" Obi-Wan asked The Doctor.
"You have no idea," The Doctor deadpanned.
The five of them swam over to the hatch and, using some cables Obi-Wan and Anakin had on them, climbed through it. Once up above, they found themselves in some kind of maintenance room. Seeing a sealed hatch, Anakin pressed a button, opening it. One by one, the group climbed their way up a sort of vent until they emerged at the end, stepping back out into the corridor.
Once they were all out, Anakin closed the hatch before igniting his lightsaber, sealing the hatch with it by melting the edges into the wall.
"The blast will break the hold. This way it's pressurized," Anakin explained as he extinguished his lightsaber and put it on his belt.
"Anakin, you still have much to learn, that will never hold," Obi-Wan told him.
"No, he's right. That's brilliant," The Doctor said impressed.
The floor was suddenly rocked by an explosion. The hatch nearly flew at them but, as Anakin had said, it held. Anakin looked at Obi-Wan smugly.
"Okay, I still have much to learn, let's go," Obi-Wan said as they began to move down the corridor.
"Where are we?" Amy wondered.
"A few floors above where we were. The Chancellor is close," Anakin said, sensing his presence.
"How close exactly?" Rory asked wearily.
"Behind that door exactly," Obi-Wan said as he pointed to a door a few feet down the corridor.
"Right, let's go then," The Doctor said eager to get off this ship.
The group walked through the door, entering a large, spacious room. The room had large windows, giving them a good view of the battle raging outside. Amy and Rory looked a bit in awe as they saw all the ships fighting outside.
Near the windows was a chair. It turned around, revealing an old man sitting down with some device pinning his arms to the chair. This could only be the Chancellor. The fact that Anakin and Obi-Wan immediately began making their way over to him only supported this fact. The Doctor and Ponds followed the Jedi until they reached the Chancellor, standing back a bit as the Jedi greeted him.
"Chancellor," Obi-Wan said, bowing slightly.
"Are you alright?" Anakin asked as he followed suit.
"Count Dooku," Palpatine said, staring the way the group had come in.
One by one, they turned to see a grey haired man enter, escorted by two battle droids.
"Dooku I presume?" Rory asked The Doctor dryly.
The Doctor merely nodded, staring hard at the man, who merely smirked before jumping over the railing, landing on the floor with grace.
"Doctor. Such a pleasure to see you again even with a different face, although it is unfortunate that Yoda has chosen to involve you in such events," Dooku said as he made his way to the group.
"What has happened to you old friend?" The Doctor asked, seeming pained to see Dooku like this.
"My eyes were opened to the truth. Leave here, now. I don't want to hurt you, but I will. Leave," Dooku commanded.
"You know I won't do that," The Doctor said defiantly.
"Then I'm sorry old friend," Dooku said, drawing his lightsaber.
"Don't get ahead of yourself Dooku," Anakin warned him, removing his robe and drawing his lightsaber.
"You still have us to deal with, after all," Obi-Wan pointed out, following Anakin's lead and removing his robe before drawing his lightsaber.
"Please, get help. He is a Sith Lord," Palpatine pleaded.
"Chancellor Palpatine, Sith Lords are our specialty," Obi-Wan said with a grin before he and Anakin approached Dooku.
"What do you think their chances are?" Rory asked The Doctor, who was watching the scene with a hint of dread.
"I don't know," The Doctor whispered. "Dooku is one of the greatest lightsaber combatants I've ever seen, and that was as a Jedi. I really don't know how good Anakin and Obi-Wan are, especially since so many things are different now."
"You won't get away this time Dooku," Obi-Wan warned the former Jedi before igniting his lightsaber.
Anakin and Dooku followed suit and the three way duel began. Anakin and Obi-Wan rushed Dooku, who easily parried them both. The three raced halfway across the room, Dooku easily able to block the strikes of the Jedi.
"I've been looking forward to this," Dooku said gleefully.
"My skills have doubled since the last time we've met Count," Anakin said confidently, twirling his weapon.
"Good. Twice the pride, double the fall," Dooku mocked.
The duel resumed, Dooku still managing to block Obi-Wan and Anakin's strikes with ease. As the neared the stairs, Dooku held out his hand and Obi-Wan was pushed aside. Rory moved, as if to help but The Doctor placed a hand on his chest, pushing him back.
"Leave this to them. Your sword will do you no good against Dooku," The Doctor warned him.
Anakin rushed Dooku, trying to take off his head but Dooku ducked, jumping onto the stairs. Anakin followed and the two swordsmen parrying against each other as they moved up the stairs. Obi-Wan got back to his feet and began running after the other two when Dooku's droids began walking down the stairs, opening firing on him. Obi-Wan used his lightsaber to block their fire, returning it to open the blasts destroyed it, knocking it on its side while Obi-Wan cut off the other one's legs. Obi-Wan then raced to the top, pursuing Anakin and Dooku.
"Yeah!" Palpatine said and The Doctor shot him an odd look.
Palpatine seemed to almost enjoy this. But The Doctor dismissed this thought, turning back to watch the fight with the others. If only he still had his screwdriver.
Anakin and Dooku were locked in a stalemate when Obi-Wan rejoined the fight, clashing his lightsaber against Dooku's. Dooku broke the hold before sending a kick to Anakin's legs. The blow, coupled with some Force powers, sent Anakin into the wall while Dooku held out a hand, freezing Obi-Wan in place. Dooku gestured with his hand and Obi-Wan went flying off the platform. He hit the side of the platform, falling to the floor. He dropped his lightsaber, the blue beam going out as Obi-Wan hit the floor, out cold. Dooku then made a clenching motion and part of the platform shuttered before falling top of Obi-Wan.
While Amy and Rory looked worried for Obi-Wan, The Doctor looked gutted.
"Dooku, what has happened to you old friend?" The Doctor wondered sadly.
Enraged, Anakin got back to his feet and rushed Dooku, sending a powerful kick to his abdomen. The unexpected blow sent Dooku over the railing but his abilities allowed him to land safely on the floor below. Anakin jumped after him and upon landing, he and Dooku exchanged a barrage of vicious parries until they stood at a stalemate, their lightsabers locked against each other.
"I sense great fear in you Skywalker," Dooku mocked as they pushed their blades against each other. "You have hate. You have anger. But you don't use them."
Dooku jumped back, breaking the stalemate. Anakin rushed forward and as they resumed their duel, The Doctor noted Anakin's strikes were now far more aggressive. Seeing the frown on Rory's face, The Doctor realized the Centurion had noticed it as well.
The Doctor and Ponds stepped back as Dooku and Anakin neared them and the Chancellor. Anakin pushed Dooku back and he stumbled before rushing Anakin again. Anakin met his parry with one of his own and Dooku moved back. They crossed blades one more time and Dooku moved to parry Anakin again. However, this time Anakin came at him from below and his lightsaber went right through his hands. Dooku's lightsaber went up into the air and Dooku stared in stunned disbelief at the stumps where his hands had once been.
Anakin caught Dooku's lightsaber as it came back down, igniting it instantly. Dooku went down to his knees and Anakin crossed the lightsabers as he placed them at Dooku's neck. It was over.
"Good Anakin good," Palpatine chuckled at these events before his face changed. "Kill him. Kill him now."
You could hear a pin drop as they each processed this request. Amy and Rory looked at Palpatine, shock and horror on their faces as Dooku looked at Palpatine in shock before looking up at Anakin fearfully. The Doctor did not move, looking at Anakin, trying to gage his reaction.
"I shouldn't," Anakin said, clearly tempered.
"You're right, you shouldn't," The Doctor agreed, walking over to Anakin's side. "You are a Jedi. You are far better than this Anakin."
"He deserves it, he deserves to die," Anakin said slowly, staring down at Dooku, who looked at Anakin unblinkingly.
"If this war is his doing, I don't disagree," The Doctor said, looking at his old friend in disappointment before turning back to Anakin. "But it doesn't have to be you who does it. The thing about war, no matter who fires that first shot, everyone ends up with blood on their hands. You tell yourself its justified, that it's for the greater good. But it doesn't change the atrocities you commit, the lives you destroy. You still have victims. And then, one day, you may not like the man looking back at you in the mirror. So tell me Anakin…what kind of man do you want to be?"
For a long moment, the room was silent, save the sounds of the battle outside and the hum of lightsabers. Then, finally, Anakin extinguished the red and blue blades before throwing down Dooku's lightsaber, the clank of it hitting the floor seeming to echo through the room.
Amy and Rory released the breath they didn't know they'd been holding as Dooku breathed a sigh of relief as well.
"Thank you old friend," Dooku said lowly as The Doctor looked at him stonily.
"I didn't do it for you. How could you have fallen so far?" The Doctor asked sadly.
Dooku didn't respond, looking over at Palpatine as Anakin released him from his restraints. Palpatine got to his feet, an unreadable look on his face as he looked from Dooku to The Doctor. The Doctor eyed him wearily before looking over at Rory, who had gone over to Obi-Wan to check on him.
"You think he's alright?" Amy asked her husband as he gently and carefully pulled Obi-Wan out from under the platform and began examining him.
"I don't see any serious injuries. He got lucky," Rory said honestly.
A chill then went up The Doctor's spine as he felt something in his jacket pocket. Reaching inside, he saw his TARDIS key glowing.
"Oh no," The Doctor muttered and they all looked at him.
"Is everything alright?" Palpatine asked and The Doctor looked at him wearily.
"No. Getting out of here just got a lot more complicated," The Doctor said grimly.
On the bridge, Grievous looked at the TARDIS curiously, wondering how The Doctor and Ponds could have arrived on it.
Not too different so far I know, but it was necessary to have the duel remain the same so The Doctor could talk Anakin down.
