Chapter 5 – Geonosis

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: Aaaannnddddd... they arrive at Geonosis! ;) I wonder how many of you expected this to happen. Lol.

~ Amina Gila

After evading the Trade Federation fleet surrounding the planet, Ahsoka flies the ship to the planet's surface. She had been allowed to fly after telling Anakin that it would be easier for her to locate Obi-Wan because of their training bond. Reluctantly, he'd agreed, but that doesn't mean he'd liked it. Anakin frowns out the window at the barren surface. It looks completely desolate, and it's hard to believe that there's actually a civilization here.

Padme's eyes are riveted on the landscape as Ahsoka flies low over the ground through valleys and around mountains and other rocky structures. "See those columns of stream straight ahead?" she queries before Anakin can even open his mouth. "They're exhaust vents of some type."

"They'll work," Anakin agrees, clenching his left hand. He wishes he could be at the controls right now. Flying is his release, and he's already extremely tense right now. He loathes the task he's been given. Padme cares for him deeply, and he doesn't need to make himself look like a hero to her. It's worse that he's terrified he'll make a mistake and he, or his mother, will be punished for the failing.

Ahsoka seems to agree, because she sends the ship zooming towards them, slowing as she approaches. "I sense Master Obi-Wan," she murmurs. "He's somewhere in here."

"Then let's hope we can find him," Anakin answers, reaching out to push a few buttons as the ship lands inside the vent. He lowers the ramp, watching as Padme stands up, pulling on a jacket.

"Look, whatever happens out there, follow my lead," she instructs them. "I'm not interested in getting into a war here. As a member of the Senate, maybe I can find a diplomatic solution to this mess."

Anakin hides his wistful expression by turning to look at the outside. "Of course, Angel," he readily agrees, guilt gnawing at him. He brought them here to be captured, and he's being forced to entrust their fates to the unknown. If he could, he would tell them both to escape while they still can and go hide in the Wild Space to escape from his master.

"Trust me on this?" she asks, looking at Ahsoka.

The Togruta grins at her. "Sure, Padme," she replies, deliberately straightening her lightsabers. "If things don't go according to plan, we have a backup right here."

"Stay with the ship," Padme calls over her shoulder, when Artoo beeps questioningly. With one final look around, Anakin silently hopes that he'll see the ship again. As much as he hopes to, part of him fears that this is the point where Padme will push him away.

The trio silently slip through the exit door into the factory beyond, and Anakin quickly recognizes that they're in the catacombs. Further inside, they'll find the machinery producing the battle droids. He tenses, pretending not to notice the Geonosian guards which spot them the further they walk. The urge to pull out his lightsaber is overwhelming, so he resorts to fisting his hands to prevent himself from slipping up.

"Wait," whispers Ahsoka suddenly, anxiety radiating into her Force signature. "There's something here…" They pause and look around. Anakin is unsurprised to see the guards flying towards them from behind.

"Ani!" hisses Padme, grabbing his arm.

"Run!" yells Ahsoka, a green blade hissing to life in each hand as she lashes out at their pursuers. Anakin gathers the Force – trying to avoid drawing on the Dark Side as much as he can, though he's not entirely sure how – and throws it towards the attackers. They're thrown far back along the passage, colliding into others behind them.

He whirls bolting towards the doorway at the end of the passage right behind Padme. He steps onto the narrow passageway behind her. Ahsoka joins them a minute later. "Um, Skyguy," she begins looking with dismay at the machinery and conveyer belts below. "We need to –" She's cut off when the door slams closed. More Geonosians fly towards them from their positions inside the factory.

Anakin lets out a few Huttese curses. "Stupid bugs," he snarls under his breath, but the vehemence in his tone makes both Padme and Ahsoka give him a surprised look.

He thinks one of them would have said something, but the walkway under their feet begins shrinking. Without a second thought, Padme jumps down onto a conveyor belt below. "Padme!" gasps Anakin, anger turning to horror. He knows this is a test for him, but it's still painful to have her fate so undecided.

Ahsoka doesn't spare him another glance. "Jump!" she yells to him, leaping down to the floor below. After a moment's hesitation, Anakin follows and not a second too late. The walkway disappears just as he begins falling. He uses the Force to catch himself, knowing that he doesn't need to be as concerned with Ahsoka noticing. She's being swarmed by Geonosians and doesn't have time to do anything other than spin her lightsabers around, cutting them apart.

Just as he'd predicted, the Geonosians don't seem particularly inclined to attack him, probably already knowing of his status. If they had, it would have complicated matters immensely. Considering himself fortunate, he uses the opportunity to start throwing battle droid components at the guards attacking Padme and Ahsoka. The few that do come towards him meet an unceremonious end with a broken neck.

"Padme!" cries Anakin, panicked when he sees her getting thrown into an empty vat. He forgets for a moment that Ahsoka is there, and that he needs to feign an escape. He reaches out, the Force flooding through him as he lifts the vat from the assembly line tipping it onto its side on the floor. Padme hastily scrambles out, just as a group of battle droids approach both her and Ahsoka, who had been far more fortunate in the entire struggle. She's still standing with both sabers blazing as they roll around her.

Anakin casts one last glance around, before leaping across a conveyor belt and rolling to the floor, out of sight. He hears distantly, over the roar of the machines, Jango ordering Ahsoka to surrender. He waits until they've been led away, before emerging from his hiding place and stalking to the nearest guard. "Take me to Count Dooku," he orders.

**w**

Anakin finds himself waiting in Dooku's office and hoping he'll return shortly. He needs to talk to him badly, even if only to get the reassurance that everything will be alright. He breathes out, letting the Dark Side flood through him, eyes turning yellow, secure in the knowledge that Obi-Wan and Ahsoka will never feel him. His expression twists into a dark scowl. Jedi are so foolish sometimes, walking straight into traps meant for them. He refuses to let himself think of his own role in bringing Padme and Ahsoka here. The guilt won't do him any good.

He doesn't have to wait long for Dooku to arrive. The Count breezes into the room with the ever-present air of elegance surrounding him more than any cloak ever could. "Skywalker," he greets him, sitting down at his desk. "You have done well."

Anakin gives him a half-smile. "Thank you, Count."

"I have just returned from speaking to Senator Amidala and the Padawan," Dooku tells him. "Officially, they are to be executed, but Sidious has orders for what he wishes to occur. Before the execution takes place, you are to interrupt and publicly denounce the Separatists, swearing your eternal allegiance to the Republic as a dark sider."

Anakin raises an eyebrow. "And? I sense there is more to this plan."

"Of course," Dooku replies. "You must get Senator Amidala to safety first, and then, I want you to capture Obi-Wan Kenobi and bring him to Sereno. He is my grand-Padawan, and I wish for him to join us. You know this."

Anakin nods readily. He and Dooku had discussed on occasion who their most useful allies could be. Obi-Wan has always topped the list. He thinks about Ahsoka, and her fate if her master is kidnapped by the Sith. He cares about her, probably too much. "I –" he ventures hesitantly, continuing only when he senses that Dooku is paying attention. "I think that Ahsoka could be useful to us. I sense in her much anger and resentment. We can use that."

"And you wish to train her, I presume," the Count says flatly.

Swallowing, Anakin nods. He knows Dooku will never punish him, but that doesn't make him any less willing to open up to him. Sidious beat that tendency out of him before he could even fight properly with a lightsaber. "I would, yes," he admits. "I know Sidious will not think me ready, but I do want to train her."

"Sidious will not be happy if you capture her without his consent," Dooku reminds him. "He will see it as an act of defiance, but I give you my full support. I will tell him it was my idea."

A wave of relief rushes through him. "Thank you, Count."

"Anytime, Anakin," Dooku murmurs, giving him a gentle smile. "Now, you must prepare for the upcoming battle. I have no doubt that the Council will be sending Jedi to stage a rescue."

Anakin hums in acknowledgement, pulling out his commlink and calling Asajj Ventress, Dooku's newest apprentice. "Lord Vader, how may I help you?" she queries, giving him a mock bow.

"I need you to come to Geonosis immediately," Anakin instructs. "You will have to escort Senator Amidala back to Naboo once I free her. Land on the platform outside the factory, and I will take your ship to Sereno."

"I'm on my way," she answers, cutting the connection.

**w**

Anakin stands crouched in the first balcony overlooking the execution arena, waiting for the moment the prisoners will be brought out. Obi-Wan is first, looking more exasperated than worried. The second cart holds Padme and Ahsoka. He sees the Togruta whispering something, maybe words of encouragement, or more likely, knowing them, a plan of escape which will be for naught if he doesn't intervene.

He swallows, throat dry. All around him, he can feel the Force signatures of numerous Jedi, all of whom will witness his declaration. He has no idea if they'll even let him escape alive. All he can do it hope. The Jedi exchange comments as Ahsoka is chained to a pillar between Obi-Wan and Padme. In just a few seconds, he'll be putting on the show, but for now, he must wait.

"Settle down. Settle down," calls the Geonosian leader. Anakin can't remember his name. The creature pauses for a moment, eyes scanning the crowds. "Let the executions begin!" he declares, and the crowds begin cheering and screaming.

Gathering the Force around him, Anakin jumps as far as he can into the arena, landing on his feet with practiced skill as he backs towards the poles. He looks up to where Dooku is standing. "You say you are fighting for justice, but this is not justice!" yells Anakin, drawing on the Force to let his voice carry. He can feel the surprise of the assembled. No one had expected this to happen. "It is a brutal murder. If someone is worthy of death, grant them mercy. You are no better than the Republic you claim to fight against. I may be a dark sider, but I'm not a traitor like you, Count Dooku. I am loyal to the Republic."

He can feel Dooku send a nudge of approval as he slips a hand into his clothing, red lightsaber hissing to life just as the three beasts are released into the arena. He spares them only a glance, dashing straight towards Padme and cutting through her chains. She looks at him, expression a mixture of shock and approval. Maybe later when she has time to process his words, she'll realize that he's been lying to her about his training, but now isn't the time to worry.

Spinning, he tosses his lightsaber towards Obi-Wan, letting it cut through his chains before pulling it back to his hand as he sprints to Ahsoka, severing her bonds. Now, he can clearly sense feelings of surprise and betrayal from both Jedi. He roughly shoves the ensuing guilt down, pulling out their lightsabers. "You'll need these," he says brusquely, turning to see the acklay stamping towards him.

He scoffs, enjoying the thrill of being able to draw on the Dark Side without fear. He revels in the rush of power, knowing his eyes have turned yellow. Extending his left hand, Anakin lets lightning blast towards the beast, sending it tumbling to ground, screeching. Off to the side, Padme dodges an attack from the nexu before Ahsoka jumps in front of her, lightsaber slicing its head right off.

Anakin can hear the roars of outrage from the crowd. They hadn't wanted this, and it's not entertaining in the least for them. He turns to face the reek, stabbing it with his lightsaber several times before it crumples to the ground, dead. Obi-Wan has killed the acklay by the time he turns around. No one even has a chance to speak before a group of droidekas rolls in, taking up positions all around the group.

Padme steps closer to Anakin as he begins dropping the shields around his power. He knows the real fight is yet to come, and he'll need almost everything he has. At that very moment, a purple lightsaber hisses to life in the box near Dooku. Anakin spots Windu, but he can't hear the conversation, so he turns to check on Padme. He notices that Ahsoka is carefully keeping her distance, trying to keep Obi-Wan between them, and hard though he tries, it still hurts.

"I'm alright, Ani," whispers Padme, squeezing his left hand. "Where did you learn all that?"

He turns, extinguishing his lightsaber before resting his forehead on hers. "It is far too complicated for me to explain," he answers quietly, knowing she sees the flash of pain on his face. "I can tell you when we escape."

She looks back at him, fearlessly and trustingly, and he feels an ache deep inside himself. He doesn't deserve her. "I love you, Angel," he breathes, kissing her forehead before he senses a change in the atmosphere around them, igniting his lightsaber as he whirls around. Throughout the area, blue and green blades are appearing as the Jedi force prepares to attack. At the same moment, hundreds of battle droids begin marching through every entrance into the arena. The first battle of Geonosis has begun.

All around, the battle droids open fire, and some Geonosians join the fray, attacking the Jedi and being killed. Anakin doesn't even think. He just reacts, spinning his lightsaber with brutal precision, throwing droids backwards as he clears a path in front of him. "Padme, follow me," he commands, eyes glowing yellow. She does so without question. He knows the Jedi can feel the Dark Side clinging to him, but he doesn't care. They brought this on themselves.

With the skill of a seasoned warrior, Anakin cuts a path to one of the entrances on the side, covering Padme as she follows behind. "I don't think this is going to work," she pants, back pressed against the wall, as she fires a blaster which she grabbed from a fallen battle droid.

Anakin shoots her a cocky grin. "Have a little faith," he teases, stepping around the corner, throwing a massive Force wave through the entrance, pushing over the lines of approaching droids. He uses his left palm to deflect a stray bolt back at the droid, sending it topping to the ground while deflecting another with his lightsaber.

"Follow me!" he calls, dashing forwards and cutting through whichever droids remain standing. It only takes a minutes before they manage to duck into a small corridor and press back against the wall. The passing droids don't seem to notice them.

"This way," Anakin whispers, edging along the hall further into the dark. He doesn't know the layout of the factory very well, but he can use the Force to feel his way through. Besides, he's using Asajj's Force signature as a guide. Anything that brings them closer to her – and, by default, Padme's ship – will help them escape.

It doesn't take long before they enter the catacombs again. Anakin closes his eyes, letting the Force flow through him so strongly, he can practically see every living creature around him. He can feel the humming of the small lifeforms living in this area, and the brilliance of the Jedi fighting back in the arena. He reaches towards Asajj, mentally scouting out the fastest path to reach her. They probably should have chosen a better landing platform. Crawling through the catacombs and trying not to get lost is not his idea of fun.

"I hope you know where you're taking us," mutters Padme when he finally opens his eyes and strides down another dark pathway.

"Of course, Angel," he answers smoothly. "I have little desire to get us both killed down here."

She follows him quietly for a few moments, but knowing her, she has something on her mind, a fact augmented by the glances she keeps giving him. "You never told me you were trained," she finally says, an accusing note in her voice.

"It wasn't safe," he replies, knowing how much that sounds like an excuse, even to his own ears. "The Jedi don't look kindly on dark siders."

"I wouldn't have told them," she huffs, obviously upset by the insinuation.

He slips his fingers into hers, squeezing gently. "I know," he murmurs. "I don't –" he shakes his head. "It's not that simple. There's a lot you don't know, things I can't very well tell you."

"But why?" she asks, confusion in her dark brown eyes as she looks at him again. "We're engaged, Ani. We shouldn't be keeping secrets."

He stiffens, jaw clenching, but doesn't slow his pace. "It isn't something I can explain," he repeats. "Not now. Maybe someday, but not now."

He knows she won't accept his answer. She'll keep nagging him – at least she will if they ever see each other again. He pushes the thought back, knowing that he can't dwell on it now. Sidious wants him to capture Obi-Wan, and he cannot afford to fail. Thankfully, Padme doesn't keep pushing, and they quickly arrive at her ship. Asajj is leaning against it, looking bored.

"Skywalker," she greets him pushing herself off the ship, staring at him with cold, blue eyes. "I was wondering when you would get here."

"Ventress," he returns coolly, nodding at her in acknowledgement before looking at Padme. "Angel, this is Asajj Ventress. She is a friend of mine, who can safely return you to Naboo. I will not be going with you."

"Where are you going then?" Padme demands sharply.

"To the arena," he answers simply. "There is battle going on, and I cannot leave them to fight alone." He doesn't tell her that he doesn't want to go back. He wants to get as far from the planet as possible, but he can't. He has a mission. He tries to tell himself that when he remembers Ahsoka. She just became a Padawan, and there's no way she'll be able to fight as well as the others. She could be hurt or even killed. He won't let himself admit how much the thought horrifies him.

"Asajj, fire up the engines," he orders, ignoring the knowing look in Padme's eyes. "Fly low over the arena and drop me off."

She nods, disappearing into the ship without having to be asked twice. After making sure Padme is secure, he moves to stand at the top of the ramp, mechanical hand gripping the frame to maintain his balance. Padme doesn't argue, probably knowing it will be pointless once he's made up his mind. In only a few minutes, the arena comes into view. Asajj flies low, and he leaps off the ramp hearing it close behind him.

Final Note: I always love reviews. Your comments make writing worth it, and I enjoy reading what you expect/hope for the future. You give me more ideas! :D

And if you're interested in an Ahsoka time travel, check out Consequences. ;)

Baby Yoda and Walk of Nightmares are both ROTJ AUs which focus on Luke. :P