Hey guys! Wrote a new chapter finally, sorry it's been so long, I've been writing a completely unrelated story with a fresh OC in another universe, along with roughly sketching out where this story will ultimately go. For now though, enjoy this chapter, and please leave a review if you like it, it would really mean a lot!


Chapter 3: Hostage Crisis


The speeder carrying Cad Bane approaches the landing pad for the Senate Building. Being flown by a Weequay bounty hunter Shahan Alama, it landed on the pad.

"Attention!" A voice is heard as a group of Senate commandos approaches them. "Attention! This is a restricted area! No landing is permitted! Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law!"

Bane jumps out of the speeder to talk with the captain of the guards. "Put up your hands," the guard says.

"I've got business with the Senate," Bane replies. "How 'bout you fellas step aside?"

"Raise your hands," the guard repeats. "Slowly."

Bane raises his hands. "Son, I wouldn't be so hasty if I were you."

"Cuff him," the captain instructs another guard. The guard reaches towards his belt while walking towards Bane, but suddenly he is hit by a laser shot and falls to the ground. All the other guards run to find cover.

"Where'd that shot come from?" The captain asks.

"Up there," another guard answers. "I see the sniper in that tower."

He is pointing towards the top of a nearby building before he is shot himself, while Bane runs towards the Captain, grabbing him around the neck. Alama, an IG assassin droid and 2 commando droids take up blasters as they start shooting at several more of the guards on the landing pad. As the last of the guards are shot down, Bane successfully snaps the neck of the Captain, giving them a set of armor without blaster shots. He signals towards the top of the building where the sniper is to come down, and instructs the 2 commando droids to start putting on Guard Uniforms.

The Captain receives a message. "Base to platform, what was all that?" Bane gestures for the commando droid to answer, which it does after changing the voice setting to human. "Protesters against the war. We've taken care of them."

The transmission ends, and the droids continue putting on the armor as a second speeder approaches, with several other bounty hunters getting off it. He looks at the 2 droids, both of them now in full Senate Guard armor. "Stay here and clean this landing pad up," he orders. "The rest of you follow me."

He walks into the Senate Building, leaving the droids to clear the pad of any suspicions, preparing to eliminate the rest of the guards and take hostages.


Anakin and Padmé are together in the latter's office in the Senate Building. Padmé is sitting at her desk while Anakin is staring out the window. "You know," Anakin says, "I have a quiet place in mind that we could go to for a few days, where no one would recognize us."

"Anakin," Padmé snickers, "It sounds lovely, but we can't just leave."

"Come on, we'll be back before anyone even realizes we're gone."

"Ani," Padmé sighs. "I have work to do, with the Republic. I can't leave now, I have a lot of important things to do. The war has only made this job harder, and I have to do my duty to the Republic, just as you have your own duty."

"Important, huh?" Anakin responds, playfully. "More important than our love?"

"Well, no, but," Padmé hesitates, trying to think of how to answer.

Anakin smirks, knowing what he's gonna do next. He grabs his lightsaber off his belt, and holds i up for Padmé to see. "Padmé, when I first built this lightsaber, my master said 'Anakin, this weapon is your life.' This weapon is my life."

He holds it out for Padmé to take. She stammers, "I can't take that, it's your lightsaber, you're the one who can properly use it-"

Anakin forces it into her hand and she stops talking, getting the feel of it. "Wow," she says with surprise. "It's heavier than I would have thought."

"It's all yours."

Padmé smiles up at him, setting it down on her desk. "So," Anakin asks, "What kind of important business do you have today?"

Padmé laughs. "Oh, it's a meeting about the Enhanced Privacy Invasion Bill."

"Ooh," Anakin mocks, "Privacy invasion bill."

"It's important, Ani. We're having a meeting soon to discuss how we should approach stopping it, seeing as it has support from the Chancellor. Also, I did invite Tara to come, and she accepted it."

Anakin goes to say something, but is cut off when the two of them hear voices from the hallway. "Quick," Padmé whispers, "Hide."

Anakin jumps behind the desk while Padmé scrambles to pick up his lightsaber, hiding it behind her back as a knock on the door is heard. "Yes, come in," Padmé says for them to hear.

The door opens to reveal Senator Chuchi, with C-3PO following her. "Senator Chuchi," Padmé says to address her, "Is the meeting starting?"

"Yes, Senator Amidala," Chuchi replies, "We had best get going. Best not to be late."

"Well, let's get going."

Chuchi starts walking down the hallway with 3PO, while Padmé takes a few steps forwards before stopping and looking back at Anakin, seeing his eyes from behind the desk. Anakin tilts his head, indicating that Padmé should go.

"Coming, Padmé?" Chuchi asks from down the hall.

"Uh-yes," Padmé stutters. "Of course."

She tucks Anakin's lightsaber up her sleeve and leaves her office to follow Chuchi. After a moment, Anakin decides to get up and leave as well, not remembering that Padmé has his lightsaber.


Tara arrives on the landing pad in a speeder, being flown by a droid.

"Thank you," she says to the droid dropping her off.

"You're welcome, Your Highness," the droid responds. It sees 2 Senate guards approaching them. "Please contact us when you're done here so we can pick you up, Miss."

"I will." As the speeder takes off, she turns to meet the guards, not knowing that they are disguised commando droids.

"Miss," the one in the captain's armor says, addressing her.

"Captain," Tara responds. "I'm here to see Senator Amidala."

The Captain hesitates before saying, "Yes, Ma'am. We will take you to her, now."

"Thank you, but I can find my own way there," she replies, resuming walking.

The Captain raises his arm to stop her. "I must insist, for your," he hesitates before saying, "Safety."

Tara looks at him funnily before agreeing. "Alright, you may escort me."

"Thank you," the Captain responds, gesturing towards the doors. "This way, please."

Tara walks forward, the guards following, not knowing she's being led into a trap.


Bane walks through the hallways of the Senate Building, before gesturing to his team to stop, as a group of guards is walking through the hall up ahead, before entering a room with additional guards in it.

"Guard change is happening," he whispers. He grabs a grenade off his belt and sneaks towards the door. He throws it in, the door closing after it. The guards start to panic, but they can't do anything before it detonates, killing all of them, and knocking the door down.

"Come on," Bane says, gesturing in front of him. "We've got one more stop before we meet the Senators."


Bane and the group move through the building towards the control room for the Senate. Aurra Sing shoots the guard at the door, and two of the IG assassin droids walk in, shooting all the droids inside. Bane gestures for Robonino, a Patrolian, to enter the room.

"Get the power off, quickly," he says to the short bounty hunter.

"I'll figure it out," Robonino responds, analyzing the controls.

"You better not fail me, bubble brain."

"Don't worry! I'll have the power off in no time."

Bane sighs. "The rest of you, follow me."


Tara is walking through the Senate Building towards the lobby in the East Wing, being escorted by the two disguised guards. Suddenly Bane rounds the corner, facing them. Tara starts backing up as he raises his blaster, pointing it at one of the guards. "Are you mine?" He asks.

"Yes, sir," the one in the Captain's armor says, taking off its helmet.

"What?" Tara's voice carries shock. She turns to run, but she is grabbed by the droid at the arm. She tries to pull free, but can't get loose as it forces her towards Bane.

"A little girl would make a great hostage," Bane says to her, having a suspicion as to who she is. "You're Princess Tara, aren't you?"

"I," Tara stammers, doubting she'd be able to deny it. "I am. Please let me go."

"Now, now, Your Highness, as long as you behave, and the Chancellor does as we request, nothing will happen to you."

He turns to face one of the IG droids. "You keep hold of her," before pointing at the 2 commando droids. "Go back to the landing pad. Take care of anyone else that arrives."

"Yes, sir," one of them says, as they both put on their helmets and turn around to go back to where they were. As one of the IG droids grabs Tara, Bane looks down at her. "Don't worry, we'll keep you with some friends of yours."

He resumes walking towards the lobby. "Let's go." The rest of the group follows, taking Tara with them.


"We cannot allow the Senate to advance this Privacy Invasion Bill," Senator Onaconda Farr says to the group of Senators gathered, as part of the meeting called by Senator Philo.

"We're all in agreement, then," Senator Philo states. He goes to continue talking, but one of the three doors on the lobby floor opens, with Bane walking through, shooting his blaster at the ceiling to get everyone's attention. At his side stands the IG droid, with a tight grip on Tara.

"Morning, Senators," he addresses the group. "You should all consider yourselves to be in my power." As he speaks, two more of the doors open, with Aurra Sing walking through one and Shahan Alama and the other two assassin droids walking through the other. "As long as everybody behaves," he continues, "This will be quick and painless. Do nothing, and it will be over soon."

Senator Philo steps forward, not at all intimidated. "I don't know who you think you are," he states, pointing at Bane, "But I, for one, have no intention of listening to this kind of insolence. Now, you should vacate this building at once if you know what's best for you."

Bane responds by shooting Philo in the chest. Tara gasps in horror, as does most of the other Senators, as he falls to the floor, before Bane steps over him to talk to the others. "Now, if you would all gather nicely at the center of this atrium, my associates and I will relieve you of any weapons and communication devices."

Padmé leans towards Chuchi. "I see 5 of them," she whispers, "If we-"

Chuchi cuts her off. "What can we do? None of us have weapons, and they'll just start killing us off."

Padmé sighs as the IG droid pushes Tara towards her before letting go. "Are you alright?" She asks Tara, pulling her closer.

"Yes, Padmé," Tara responds. "Do you know who this is, or what he wants?"

"No, Tara," Padmé responds, "But he's taking aggressive steps in this course of action."

As the rest of Bane's team starts confiscating comlinks are other communication devices from the Senators present, Bane pulls out a holographic projector and contacts the Chancellor's office.


Senator Orn Free Taa comes running into Chancellor's Palpatine's office, where the Chancellor is seated looking out the window.

"Chancellor Palpatine," Free Taa says, sounding out of breath.

"Yes, Senator Free Taa?" Palpatine responds.

"You may want to see this." He pushes a button on Palpatine's hologram projector and the image of Cad Bane appears.

"Morning, Chancellor," he says coldly. "I would like to inform you that I have taken control of the East Wing of your Senate Building, and the occupants are now my hostages. If you wish for them to be released, I would advise you to free Ziro the Hutt from your detention center."

"Listen here, bounty hunter," Palpatine says, "If you have committed such a foolhardy action as to kidnap a Senator, I can assure you it will be met with appropriate force. We will not negotiate with terrorists."

"I already have one Senator who didn't comply, and they are no longer alive. I suggest you agree to my terms, now."

Just then, the power goes off. All the lights turn off, with the emergency ones turning on. All the doors seal inside the building, trapping everyone inside.

"I'm in control here!" Bane shouts. "I make the rules!" He cuts off the transmission, and Palpatine runs to the door, trying to pry it open.

"That's no use, Sir," Free Taa says. "They've triggered the security system, and sealed off the entire building."

Palpatine sighs, turning back towards his desk.


Bane approaches Padmé, pointing his blaster at her. "Well, hello there, little lady," he says, stroking her chin. "And who might you be?"

"I am Padmé Amidala," she responds with a strong tone of voice, not knowing that Anakin is watching from above. "Senator of Naboo, and I demand that you release us immediately."

"Aren't you a little young and pretty to be a Senator?" Padmé doesn't answer, instead looking over his shoulder at Anakin. Bane looks in that direction too, seeing Anakin as well. He starts shooting up at him, as Anakin runs through a door on the level above them.

"Skywalker," Bane shouts. "After him!"

Alama and one of the IG Droids run out in pursuit of him.


Alama walks through the door after attempting to catch Anakin, without the IG Droid that went with him. Bane notices the smirk on his face.

"What happened, Alama?" Bane asks. "Where's the droid?"

"The droid's gone," he responds. "But there's good news. The Jedi is unarmed."

"What?"

"No lightsaber cuts on the droid. He probably doesn't have his flashy sword."

Bane rolls his eyes. "Sing, you go too this time. Don't let him call for help, or deactivate the security seal."

Sing and Alama leave to try to catch Anakin again.


Some time after Bane sent two of his bounty hunters to find Anakin, Padmé turns and whispers to Tara. "The lightsaber. I've got it."

"What?" Tara whispers back, confused.

Padmé pulls the lightsaber part of the way out of her sleeve to show Tara, who recognizes it and who it belongs to.

"That's Anakin's, but why do you have it?"

"The question is whether we should try and get it back to him, or use it ourselves."

"I don't see how-"

Tara is cut off when Bane shoots at the ceiling, surprising everyone. "Be quiet," he snaps. "I've got a call to make."

He pulls out his hologram projector and contacts the Chancellor again.


The Chancellor has been pacing around his office, waiting for Republic Troops to arrive. He turns around quickly when the holographic image of Bane appears. Free Taa moves to be next to him.

"So, Chancellor," Bane says coldly, "Here's what you're going to do. First, you're going to make a pardon disc for Ziro the Hutt, which you can give to your friend there. Then, after I have left the building with my associates, you will get your Senators back."

"Very well," Palpatine responds. "But, I feel it is my duty to warn you, that these actions will not go unpunished and you will pay for what you have done."

"I can live with that. But, don't try anything until the sun goes down."

Bane cuts off the transmission. He turns towards one of the two IG droids left. "Go up to the Chancellor's office. You will escort the Twi'lek to the prison with the pardon disc."

"Yes, sir," it responds with a mechanical voice before leaving the room to go up there.


After a few moments, Sing, Alama and Robonino come in, dragging Anakin with them. Padmé gasps at seeing him cuffed and unconscious as he is thrown forward at Bane's feet.

"So, Skywalker," Bane says, mockingly, "Not so tough without your lightsaber, are you?" He stands to face the other bounty hunters. "We'll throw him in with the others."

Alama uses his foot to push Anakin close to the group of hostages. Padmé quickly kneels down next to him, listening for breathing. "Thank goodness," she mutters.

"He's breathing?" Tara asks, sitting down on the other side of Anakin.

"Yes, fortunately."

Bane goes to say something to them, but his comlink starts beeping. He accepts the call, turning away from Tara and the others.

"Well?" He asks. "Where are you?"

"I am returning to the Senate Building," an IG droid answers. "And I have Ziro the Hutt with me."

Bane chuckles. "Good, good. Be ready to pick us up when we arrive. We'll meet you on the landing pad."

He ends the transmission before turning to Robonino. "Prepare the parting gift," he says. "I want to ensure our escape goes without problems."

Robonino chuckles, as he pulls several explosive pads out of his pack, distributing them out for him and the other bounty hunters to place on the pillars around the lobby. When all the pads have been placed and synced, Bane activates them. A web of lasers shoots out, the beams stretching from pad to pad, surrounding the hostages, thus blocking any escape from the building.

"We must be off," Bane says, addressing the people he has trapped. "Senators, Princess, Jedi, I bid you all the most respected farewell!"

Bane turns and leaves the building, his team following.


2 Republic gunships land in front of the Senate Building. Several clone troopers get out and surround the bounty hunters trying to leave, blasters raised. Bane pulls out his hologram projector to talk to Chancellor Palpatine.

"You were foolish to think you could get away with this, bounty hunter," Palpatine states. "Now lay down your arms and come quietly."

"No, Chancellor," Bane responds, "I am afraid it is you who has been foolish, with your Senator's lives. One false move, and the East Wing of the Senate Building goes up in smoke, with everyone inside."

Palpatine sighs. "You win, bounty hunter."

Bane cuts off the transmission, before looking up at the clones surrounding him. "Holster 'em!"

"Stand down," the clone commander orders, lowering his blaster. The other clones follow suit, lowering their weapons and allowing the bounty hunters to pass, Bane with his finger right above the button on his wrist comm to detonate the bombs.

The speeder that one of his IG droids was using lands in front of him, with Ziro the Hutt already inside. "Come on," Bane says. "Let's get going."

He and his team get into the speeder, which starts racing away from the Senate Building.


Anakin stirs lightly. Slowly, he opens his eyes, looking right up at Padmé and Tara. "Oh, thank goodness," Padmé says.

"Good to see you're all right," Anakin responds. He sits up, looking around. "Where's Bane?"

"They left already," Tara responds. "They set up this laser net to trap us in here."

Padmé helps Anakin stand up. Onaconda Farr approaches them. "The bounty hunter said we should just sit here. I think we should just sit here."

"Well," Anakin responds, "That's not a very good idea. If I had my lightsaber, though-"

Padmé cuts him off. "You mean this?" She pulls it out from her sleeve.

She activates it before cutting the binders that Anakin has on. He takes the weapon from her. "Gather tight," he says. "I'll cut us out through the floor."

As the group bunches together more, Anakin stabs through the floor, before starting to push around them in a circle. When he is about 3/4 of the way done, the bombs start going off unexpectedly. But before they detonate, Anakin has finished cutting through the floor, with the explosion going off as the part that was the floor hits the ground on the floor below them.

Everyone gets knocked to the ground, either on the piece that was the floor or below it. Chuchi stands up, offering Tara a hand, which she accepts.

"Thank you, Senator," Tara says.

"You're welcome, Princess," Chuchi responds. "I see Master Skywalker is creative as ever."

"You'd be surprised. The stuff Padawan Tano has mentioned. And what you said about Orto Plutonia, meeting the Talz there."

Chuchi laughs, before going to help someone else. Tara stays where she is, watching Padmé and Anakin stare hard into each other. She walks over to the two of them.

"Are you both alright?"

"I, I," Anakin stammers, "Yeah, we're alright. Are you, Tara?"

"Yes, all thanks to your heroics. But, Padmé, how'd you end up with his lightsaber?"

"I," Padmé hesitates before answering, "Found it where he dropped it."

Tara tilts her head slightly, looking at both of them. "Oh, kay, then," she says slowly. The three laugh, as they and the rest of the Senators begin making their way to a better secure location, the threat being over.


Thanks for reading, be sure to leave a review if you liked it! Next chapter coming out, soon-ish