Helloo fellow Star Wars fans, I'm back with another chapter :D
Special thank you to my IRL friend for writing out a timeline of each important scene in AOTC when I told them that I was struggling with the cannon timeline and to make sure I wasn't missing anything important. You are the real MVP!
Enjoy the chapter :)
The dragging of his consciousness through the past and present was exhausting, each new Force echo ebbed at his strength.
Cal blinked back to the present, stumbling as he reached out to the wall to steady himself, blinking back the darkened spots within his vision whilst he struggled to remain upright.
Obi-Wan's concern was unmatched as he watched helplessly, unable to intervene as Cal dropped the item with an irritated sigh; already outstretched to grasp yet another item.
Cal was beyond tired.
Beyond exhausted.
"You need a break Cal." The soft urgency in Obi-Wan's call reverberated in the confines of the room, despite this, the ginger blatantly ignored the bleeding worry.
Obi-Wan didn't trust him, so he would prove he was trustworthy.
Cal would save the Jedi Order, even if it killed him.
"Don't you want to find out who wants senator Amidala dead?" The sharp bitterness was reflected in Cal's tone.
Obi-Wan couldn't hide the flinch that jolted through him as he was reminded of those exact heartless words he had flung at Anakin, desperate to get Cal away from the temple.
Taking a deep breath to steel his trembling hand, Cal's hand ghosted against the object.
"Boba, I want you to listen to me, we're heading to Geonosis."
Boba nodded, unable to hide the apprehensive fear simmering within his eyes. Jango's grip tightening on his shoulders and despite the way he tried to keep his voice ardent, Boba could feel the distress within his father's tense shoulders.
"These Jetii will not stop hunting us, so I need you to listen to me."
"Dad?" The soft squeak of a child was confused, worried.
Scared.
He didn't like the conviction within his dad's voice, the lingering sorrow simmered, hanging within the air as if he was saying goodbye.
"If anything happens to me, you go to the guild alright? Promise me that you'll leave and go straight there."
Brown cocoa eyes widened with horror, tears dripped down his cheeks as his heart thudded; filling the young boy with a terrified emotion as his small frame quivered with sobs.
"No no. I won't." Boba shook his head vehemently, unable to even think about leaving his father behind. "I won't leave you dad."
"I'm sorry son, but you must." Jango squeezed Boba in a tight hug. "I can't lose you Boba. Please. Please promise me you will. I need you safe."
There was nothing Boba could say, nothing he could do to protest as his hushed whimper muffled as he buried his head into Jango's shoulder.
"I promise."
.
.
Cal could feel the aching agony tear at his heart, blinking rapidly to try and clear his fogged thoughts.
Boba was just a child.
Just like Cal.
The Padawn was shoved into a war, unable to comprehend anything as his life he knew twisted upon itself, the memories stained with blood haunted him, even to this day.
Two children forced into the howling tragedies of bloodshed, unable to understand the complexities beyond survival.
Cal duly wondered what would've happened if he had tried to reach out to Boba back when the Bounty Hunter was set on destroying him.
Would anything have changed?
Boba was all alone, the frozen gripping isolation of which Cal knew all too well, the loneliness which haunted him throughout his journeys. The only difference between the survivors was that he was saved; found a place where he belonged.
And Boba was forced to remain on the path his father forged, unable to escape the shackles, doing whatever it took to survive.
Alone.
.
.
"What is it?"" Obi-Wan asked as Cal stayed motionless, scrubbing wearily at his face as he tried to sort through the tanglings between his emotions and those that swirled from the echo.
"I know where they are headed." Cal replied after a beat, rising to breeze past Obi-Wan, striding into the twisting hallways.
"Good." The Jedi-Master replied awkwardly, footsteps echoing as he struggled with the enveloping awkward air that suffocated him.
How? How could Obi-Wan fix this when he had already hurt the young Jedi with his cruel words.
"Look Cal I just wanted to apologise for…"
"There's no need, Obi-Wan." Cal said, the solemn edge deepening within his voice.
"It's alright."
No, it isn't! Obi-Wan yearned to shout in protest-wishing for the ginger to yell at him, to hit him…
Anything but this…
This carefully crafted facade of fine as the Jedi crumpled in one himself, unwilling to show any of his emotions.
"Alright." Obi-Wan nodded, hating the word as it sprung from his lips. It was feeble and he could feel Cal's mental barriers tighten, shoving Obi-Wan away from their faintly connected bond.
"Where are we heading?"
"Geonosis."
.
.
.
Carefree laughter coursed through the air as they tumbled through the lush fields of Naboo; the bright sun streaming down upon the couple as the ceralun sky towered up above.
Anakin's heart soared with joy, free from the constraints of the Jedi order, free from the lingering worry of his tainted nightmares.
He could stay here forever. Content and at peace with Padme.
The senator who was actively avoiding his awestruck gaze, instead lifted her warm gaze towards the flitting clouds, idly drifting past.
"I hope Obi-Wan and Cal are alright." Anakin breathed out, unable to stop his thoughts from being said aloud as coca eyes floated, interlocking.
"Cal? Is he that Jedi who discovered my attacker?"
Anakin nodded, suddenly realising how much Cal had done for them.
The Jedi was selfless, caring-in a way that couldn't be compared to any other Jedi.
Which was also why Anakin was so worried, the man placed others before himself.
"I've never seen him before at the temple." Padme's curiosity relayed, pushing her loosened ringlets behind her ear as the wind billowed, swirling around the two.
"Nor had I, he told me he was stationed on another planet with his master, managing negotiations for the most part of his training." Anakin responded, his voice mingling with the chorus of songbirds whilst they soared above.
"What do you think of him?"
"He saved my mother, for that he has my everlasting gratitude." The Padawan paused briefly, admitting to the worry that gnawed at his mind.
"However, he thinks of others before his own safety, it worries me."
Padme hummed in agreement, casting her mind back to the brief encounters with the strange Jedi.
"He seems sad." Her voice became vacant as she recalled the emerald eyes seemingly holding an overwhelming anguish.
"Kind, but very sad."
A quizzical glance crossed Anakin's face at the senator's reply.
"Sad? What do you mean?"
"You haven't noticed?" Padme sat up, plucking a dandelion and twirling against her fingers.
"His eyes are very sad, as if he has lost a great amount. Like he has the weight of the world upon his shoulders."
"I didn't know." Anakin's regret hung heavy, his face resigned with concern for his friend.
"But if he needs help, then I'll be there for him."
.
.
.
Guiding the ship down onto the rough terrain of Geonosis was a relief, finally able to escape the encompassing silence that continued to stifle Obi-Wan as the remorse continued to build-up.
Cal hadn't uttered a word the entire journey, instead letting his eyelids flutter shut as he meditated.
The Jedi-Master was eased to see the flush of colour return; the pale exhaustion that had stubbornly taken a hold of Cal, had been swept away as the Force strengthened him, coursing through him with a renowned energy.
Their bond through the Force was almost completely destroyed, the thin fragility holding its breath as it threatened to snap completely with one wrong move.
How do I fix this?
What can I do before it's too late?
Twisting to glance at the Jedi, Obi-Wan's shoulders sagged in disappointment at the wordless answer, the curt nod and determined stare resulted in Obi-Wan leading the two Jedi through the tumbling rocky terrain and into the shadowy darkness of the building.
Unknowing what to expect…
.
.
A shock descended upon Obi-Wan, the flailing lies that Dooku had sprung upon them which the council had simply accepted with nonchalance. They never for a moment considered that the man was a spy.
A traitor.
A Sith.
Qui-Gon Jinn's master continued the dark sepratist meeting, ignorant to the crashing emotions that doused the Jedi-Master as his clouded eyes locked upon the traitor.
Obi-Wan didn't know who he could trust anymore.
A heavy pain clutching with each breath, it was an unfamiliar feeling-unknowing how the man bested them, how they fell through his tangled web of lies.
"Obi-Wan." Cal's urgent voice sung through their strained bond, successfully shoving his thoughts away from the Sith.
"I must contact the council. We need reinforcements." Obi-Wan's thoughts raced, his mind set on stopping Dooku.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Cal replied grimly, ginger ringlets bouncing as he shook his head in the darkness.
"That could make everything much worse."
Obi-Wan didn't hide the disbelief, eyebrows raising at the ginger's implication.
"How could this be worse?"
It was too late, Obi-Wan instantly regretted the harsh tone and although the impassive look showed no flicker of emotion, he could feel the unravelling of their bond within the darkness as the accusatory demand floated to the younger man.
"How could you think that a large group of Jedi storming Geonosis is a good idea? Especially when there are seperatist leaders here who are planning to overthrow the government trying to find any reason for war."
Cal replied, a hint of cynicism edged within his inner voice.
No, that won't make it worse at all."
Obi-Wan was suddenly thankful for the dimmed space, so the shame on his face wasn't able to be noticed.
He hadn't even considered the political implications, the rift it could cause.
Perhaps it was the fact that Dooku…His master's master had deceived them that had obscured his mind.
"I'll contact Anakin, he can send the council an emergency signal if we need help."
The Jedi took one last lingering look at the seperatist meeting, the rising tsunami of dread settling an unease within him.
Cal had a bad feeling that only furthered with each revelation of new information.
How deep did the seeds of doubt run?
The plans of a widespread massacre were so deeply crafted that Cal realised with a sinking apprehension that this was much larger than he realised.
Of course, that wouldn't stop Cal. He would stop Order 66 by any means necessary, even if it meant giving up everything.
Even if it meant dying again…
.
.
.
"Anakin. Come in! It's Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Cal hadn't realised he was holding his breath until the screen crackled, the faint hologram spluttering to life as the Padawan's worried resonance distorting within the air.
"Master? Are you alright?"
"Can you send word to the council? We've located the sepratist leaders and may need their help on Geonosis."
"Yes master. But are you alright? Is Cal alright?"
"Right here Ani." Cal's greeting resulted in an exasperated huff, the Padwan crossing his arms at the nickname, the worry draining out of Anakin at the light-hearted jab.
"I see you two are fine. I'll send the signal now."
"We will continue to investigate Anakin. If you cannot get a hold of us then let them know."
"Of course. Stay safe and may the Force be with you two."
.
.
"Obi-Wan…"
Cal's serious trailing call was ignored as Obi-Wan watched the factory soar to life, the grinding of metal grating heavily.
Sparks fizzled within the air as the sticky oil stench thickened within the air; each machine precariously, rhythmically constructing each battle droid.
Within the chaos, Cal couldn't raise his voice enough to grab the Jedi-Master's attention; couldn't ask the Jedi if he had noticed the prickling sensation which he couldn't seem to shake.
The feeling of danger.
On Bracca, Cal's instincts saved his life more than he could count.
It's what kept him alive.
He learned to second guess everything, and managed to perfect the art of hiding within plain sight.
Shuffling from the dimmed hiding spot, he stepped into the hallway; blood freezing as the dark energy collided within him, constricting.
Fighting him.
Cal clutched the light side closer, his lightsaber igniting and instantly clashing with the blood red saber just as it was poised to strike him down.
"No hello? Whatever happened to greeting someone like a normal person?" Cal shot out, grimacing as he shifted his defensive stance, holding stubbornly despite the Sith shoving all his power into his aggressive attack.
"Who are you?" Count Dooku ordered, cape fluttering as he circled the young Jedi; akin to a predator circling its prey.
"Who are you? Isn't it polite to introduce yourself first?" Cal quipped back easily, watching the Sith's expressionless look falter at the unexpected answer.
Cal spun his lightsaber, adjusting the grip within his hand as he easily parried the aggressive attack, rolling to dodge the deadly strike as it arched above him.
"Where is Obi-Wan?"
"Who?" Cal smirked, he could feel the frustration rushing as Count Dooku's jaw clenched.
Cal called upon the Force, shoving the Sith backwards, causing him to stumble as his footing was lost.
"Where is he?" The sudden rush of rage didn't phase Cal, and he pivoted, sending a powerful kick at the Sith.
"No clue, I came here alone." Cal shrugged, shoving all his strength behind his defensive parry as the sparks crackled, the burning heat emitting from the lightsabers.
"You lie." Count Dooku stated plainly.
"Yeah, probably. But you'll never know that." Cal grunted out, gripping a hold of the Force to slow the Sith to a blur and flinging his lightsaber at him; which was deflected easily.
"Enough." Count Dooku barked, the authority bleeding from his tone. "Tell me where Kenobi is."
"Or what?"
Count Dooku's patience waned, his teeth clashing together as he lifted his hand up, summoning his overflowing hatred; all his pent up rage towards the young Jedi.
Squeezing his hand.
Cal flailed, his emerald eyes wide with panic as he choked. The sudden panic of I can't breathe gripped him-terrified him.
Black dots danced within his vision as Count Dooku's eyes darkened, the wide grin spreading as his hand clenched tighter.
Suffocating the Jedi, as the air was robbed from him.
Cal could feel himself going limp, could feel his consciousness waning. And without warning, he could no longer fight it, no longer grip onto the frayed consciousness that dangled just out of reach.
His lightsaber thudded to the ground, deactivating.
And despite Cal's struggles; the abyss of unconsciousness encapsulated him.
Surrounding, drowning.
.
.
The rush of terror screeched through the Force, startling Obi-Wan as he was pulled from his thoughts.
His panic was only heightened as he realised that he was alone.
The muffled curse groaned into the darkness yet he couldn't hide the growing dread as he followed the insistent tugging of the Force through the hallways.
Gripping onto the fallen lightsaber and clipping it safely to his belt.
Obi-Wan froze at the sight of Cal bound by a force field, a cold alarm tearing his heart as Dooku approached the man.
The Jedi-Master's stomach twisted futher as he realised he couldn't seem to communicate with Cal.
Cal's connection to the Force had been cut off…
.
.
.
"Now let's try again, who are you and where is Obi-Wan?"
Cal remained silent, the pressure around his throat easing as he rasped greedily for air.
Perhaps, what scared him more than anything was he couldn't feel the comforting warmth of the Force, couldn't feel the energy of the light side.
He felt isolated, alone.
"Do you really think you're doing the right thing? I will find him." Count Dooku's voice rose in rage as he stomped towards the Jedi.
Cruel brown eyes glaring into the hard edge of forest green.
Count Dooku's annoyed voice continued, the rage although unable to be felt by Cal, thundered towards Obi-Wan.
The Jedi-Master grimaced as it ebbed at his senses; forcing himself to relax and drift towards the light side, clutching it closer to him.
"Let me tell you something. Did you know the entire Jedi council is about to be brought to its knees?"
What? Obi-Wan's electric blue eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend what the Sith was suggesting.
No, impossible.
"That's not possible." Cal rasped out, his hoarse voice barely audible within the confines of the room.
"What if I told you that the Jedi council was currently being controlled by a Sith Lord?"
"I would say you're lying." Cal's voice was notably less confident, strained.
"Interesting." Count Dooku mused, a dark pity morphing on his face, mocking the obliviousness of the Jedi.
"But I am not lying. He has made his way to the top and is not plotting to destroy the Jedi council. Are you willing to forsake your friends? I can help you defeat him."
Say no. Obi-Wan yearned to shout, to scream at him. He hated the coiling deception Count Dooku seemed to have perfected, the spinnings of his manipulations had blindsighted them all.
"Of course I want to stop it." Cal's fierce determination sung within his voice, startling Obi-Wan as his eyebrows raised.
"But not with your help. Never with your help."
Surprise crossed Count Dooku's face for a brief second before he eased back into the trained emotionless mask he constructed.
"So you believe me? Interesting…"
"Course I believe you." Cal gritted, struggling within the trapped forcefield of his prison.
"I've seen it happen, but that doesn't mean I'm going to help you."
What?
Cal knew?
What did he know?
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed as a grim worry etched further into his face.
What were they talking about?
"Tell me how to stop the clones." Cal said, his unwavering strength reverberating through his tone.
"What clones?"
Cal scoffed, rolling his eyes in incredulousness at the sheer audacity of the Sith.
"Really? You and I both know that you're not going to be alive for much longer. You're just a tool, a plaything for him to use until then."
The unnerved expression upon Count Dooku's face would've been comical if not for the subsequent raging fury that roared to life.
His lightsaber ignited, pointed at the stranger as his eyes narrowed; suspicion tumbling off of him in waves.
"How do you know so much? Who are you?" The snarling growl was low, deadly and sent a jolt of horror down Obi-Wan's spine as his hand ghosted to his own lightsaber.
Cal simply blinked, a crooked grin flickering with amusement.
"I'm whoever you want me to be." He shrugged lazily. "But your plan will fail. Obi-Wan won't join you."
"So..?"
"So, tell me how to stop the clones and I swear on the Force that you will be spared."
The harsh, bitter laugh bubbled from the Sith's throat.
"I shall take my chances."
"You will? What if your chances of survival are little to none, Darth Tyrannus?"
A wild, animalistic look appeared in Count Dooku's hateful eyes and Cal could only let out a pained wheeze as Count Dooku's hand shot out, clutching around Cal's neck.
Wringing, akin to a snake suffocating its prey.
Obi-Wan had to force himself to stay in place and wait, unwilling for Cal to get hurt any further.
"How do you know that name?!"
"Why should I tell you?" Cal managed to stumble out, sagging as Count Dooku's hand released its bone-white grip from his neck.
Ginger ringlets obscured his face as his head dropped down, each greedy intake for air racked his body, trembling.
"Tell me who you are or I will kill you."
Obi-Wan heard the conviction within the traitor's tone, could feel the waves of resentment tightening around Cal and he knew that Count Dooku meant every word.
He had to stop him.
"You must be really desperate." Cal choked, wincing as stifled laughter rushed forwards.
"But it wouldn't matter; my life is already worthless. It belongs to the Force."
"Tell me!"
"Tell me how to deactivate the clones." Cal countered, eyes narrowing, conflicted as Obi-Wan emerged from the shadows; his azure lightsaber humming with energy.
"Hello Obi-Wan." Count Dooku replied simply, twisting to face the Jedi-Master.
"Hello traitor." Obi-Wan replied, a hint of amusement at the nagging twitch of irritation evident within his rageful gaze.
"Would you kindly let my companion go?"
"Hm.. You forget Obi-Wan. I never once obeyed rules."
Cal could only watch, horrified, his stomach twisting in nausea as Obi-Wan collapsed; the dart plunging into his skin.
"Obi-Wan!" A wide blown panic ripped at Cal's thoughts, tugging relentlessly at the shackles that bound him to the prison.
"Now, let's try again. Tell me everything or I'll kill him."
A deep unbridled terror racing through his veins, the Jedi was unable to clear the lump of panic that lodged within his throat, his eyes widening at the scene before him.
This is why he became a Sith.
Because the flush of power erupting from fear was intoxicating.
"You wouldn't." Cal didn't sound sure himself, the trembling panic unable to be concealed even if he tried; his eyes boring into the Jedi-Master.
"Would you take the chance?"
Cal bit his lip, shaking his head. Unable to think of a way to stop this as his mind coursed, coursing with emotions.
"I.. was shown a vision in the Force, that's how I know everything. I know that you die, I know who he is, I know your plan."
"You can't stop him alone." Count Dooku gwaffed, his insane grin widening at the sheer thought.
This pathetic Jedi thinks he can best Palpatine?
"I can. The clones I cannot. Please Dooku, you know that Anakin is going to replace you, I can help you." Cal urged, uncaring that he was bargaining with a Sith lord.
The Jedi could be bluffing, but back in his mind, Count Dooku knew, the thought continuously irritated him, that he was just a plaything to Palpatine.
Count Dooku didn't understand the emotion that overflowed him, perhaps it was self-preservation? But he couldn't understand the yearning to live.
And yet, he relented.
"They have an implanted chip that forces them to obey. If it's damaged then it's useless."
"Ok, I can work with that. Thank you." Cal nodded, his mind already whirring with the flurry of possibilities to which he could use.
Cal didn't understand why it made him feel worse. The clones didn't betray them, they were forced to obey.
He wondered duly if they remembered the event, if they struggled to fight the order as they hunted them down.
"If you do not keep your promise, I will destroy you." The pitch red lightsaber ghosting against Obi-Wan's neck.
"I will. I swear on my life that I will."
Count Dooku seemed pleased at that answer, nodding to himself; Cal breathed a sigh of relief as the weapon was deactivated.
"Now, the battle awaits. No more stalling, you know what comes next?"
Cal was suddenly thankful for the strenuous, neverending lessons Tapal had forced him through, studying each battle.
The Battle of Geonosis.
"I do." Cal nodded, although it didn't ease the tremble reality of what was to come, the battle that would crumple the republic and the Jedi's reputation, allowing the sepreatist to further their hushed deceptions against the government.
"Then I hope you're prepared to die. Goodbye Jedi. If you survive then I expect you to keep your promise."
The ginger couldn't fight the poison as it darted through his veins, his eyes dropping shut as he was shoved into the pitch black slumber of unconsciousness.
.
.
Anakin shot up, a rush of protectiveness seizing him, disorientated as the Force swarmed around him, urgently.
"Ani? Are you alright?" Padme's concern grew as Anakin brought his hands to his throbbing head, trying to filter the rushed mess that trembled through the Force.
"They're in trouble. I need to go." Anakin's worry was unmatched, rushing out of his seat instantly to grip onto his communicator.
The fizzling silence provided that his fears were answered.
Padme rose immediately, her jaw setting in a stubborn strength.
"Let's go then."
.
.
Blinking owlishly, Cal scrunched his eyebrows as the roaring crowd assaulted his ears.
Hazy green eyes connecting with troubled sky blue eyes.
Kriff this was bad…
The iron shackles irritated his wrists, scarlet lines were the result of his failed struggles to escape the binds. A muffled yell of pain was unable to be swallowed as the drug coursing throughout his body resulted in a fiery eruption of pain with every movement.
Great…Just great
The crowd clamoured once again, the excitement echoing within the sandy arena.
Cal's attention twisted to the rickety carriage, his emerald green eyes widening with shock at the sight of Anakin and Padme, each chained with biting, frozen chains.
Ok so I wanted to ask, I believe that after this chapter there will be one more chapter then we'll be finished the AOTC timeline. I have planned some chapters for in between this (don't worry) but I also may take a mini break for a while.
