Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars

A/N- I apologize for the wait, stuff picked up for me and this chapter fought me all the way. Here's hoping that this isn't as clunky as it felt when I was writing it. I have also opened up for anonymous reviews. For those Canon buffs out there: This is not the Battle of Iktotch from canon… it has become a different battle.

Chapter Four: Confronting the Past

The holographic projector repeatedly flickered as it formed droids marching and meeting the Republic's clone army. Dooku stood nearby stroking his beard as one clone fell to the ground. Conquest of the moon Iktotch would be easy, indeed. 'All the much the better,' Dooku thought dourly. 'This cursed moon with its wind and savage living condition deserves to be wiped from the face of the galaxy.' The Count shuddered and pulled his robes closer to him. The tent could hardly be called shelter as it could not keep a simple draft out. Not for the first time, the Count found himself longing for his comfortable estate on the planet Kohlma. Dooku appreciated luxury something that had prevented him for being a proper Jedi.

Behind Dooku, his silent companion trembled in his meditation as a gust of wind shook the tent. In the five months that the boy had been absence from the front, it seemed that his mind had been wiped again. He presented a different aura. He was also quieter, no quick tongue. Every time Dooku met the youth, he was a different person. 'They are destroying his mind,' Dooku realized, turning his back to the youth. He chose to focus on the army that he controlled.

Dooku nearly jumped when the boy's bluish lips moved and words left his mouth. "Count, two Jedi have arrived on the surface. One is Skywalker… the other I assume to be his master."

Dooku smiled, reaching into the Force. "Ah, Qui-gon… it's been a long time, indeed." He whispered to himself. "Continue your work, boy. I will meet with our two Jedi friends… a meeting of old friends."

The boy opened his sightless eyes, seeming to center them on Dooku. "There is another ship that bears more Jedi. It has docked on the main Star Destroyer. They are trying to mask their presence in the Force. Their minds are difficult to read… though that might be the distance between us or they might be masters."

Dooku frowned with indecision. He had two immediate Jedi threats to deal, and his decision was made. "Keep me alert to their position… for now I will take care of Jinn and Skywalker."

"As you wish, Count."

Dooku smiled grimly. 'He's never allowed to retain any one personality… basically an automaton.' It was distasteful.

Turning to one of the five B1 battle droids, Dooku left orders that they were to guard the boy and allow no one's entrance but his own. He, then, left the command tent eager to meet his former apprentice.

Dukke watched the faint red of his Master's apprentice disappear. The Count's fascination with the Jedi Master left the youth slightly curious, but he did not further indulge his interest. He breathed outward against the frigid air as he rubbed his cold hands together vainly trying to get the blood flowing once more. He wished he had thicker robes. The frigid air was only further agitating his cracked ribs. Dukke, however, did not mind the pain so much as it served as a painful reminder to never look pleased after besting Grievous.

Relaxing his muscles, Dukke inhaled softly and dove into the mediation. The swirl of the Force guided him to his query. His attention settled on the Jedi that were not on the surface, trying to secure their numbers and their plans. 'Three are leaving the ship.' He realized upon brushing against one's mind. Their plans remained silent despite his prodding. His lips narrowed, fighting to remain with them. Their presence was slowly being masked by the time they left the ship.

A choked scream ripped from his throat without his knowledge as pain tore through his mind. The other Jedi was combating his mediation with his own and had brushed against Dukke's mind. The shields that his master had gifted him with sprang into place painfully, making his mind illusive to the Jedi Master. Panic filled Dukke, his Master's plans would fail, and it would be his fault. He did not want to go back to Coruscant… to his master.

His jaw clenched, until his teeth hurt. The Jedi vied for him to reveal himself. However, Dukke remained one step ahead, avoiding contact with the Jedi's mind. Inwardly, he knew he was running out of time. It was clear that the Jedi were looking for him in particular. Dukke reached through the Force hoping to alert the droids along with Dooku to their plans only to feel as if electricity had passed through his body, shocking him from the battle mediation. He felt himself falling, but never knew if he reached the floor.

The droids, who guarded the youth, registered his collapse.

"Sir, the organic isn't moving."

"Inform Count Dooku, sergeant."

"Roger, Ro-." The droid never finished his sentence as a violet blade ripped diagonally through its metal torso.

The other two droids raised his blaster send a spray of blaster bolts through the room. Another violet blade deflected the blaster fire, returning it effortlessly back at two of the droids disabling them. The dark skinned Jedi swept across the room relying on the lightsaber form called Vaapid to dismantle the remaining battle droids. Their smoldering parts scattered across the floor.

Mace deactivated his lightsaber, frowning slightly as he turned to face Tachi. He watched the knight turn the unmoving boy onto his back before checking for a pulse.

"He's alive," Siri told the Jedi Master. "I'm not much of a healer so I can't explain his condition."

"That will have to wait until we reach Coruscant." Mace looked done at the motionless figure, who looked exactly like Padawan Kenobi. So, Qui-gon hadn't been seeing things, Windu thought. "We will have to race back. I seriously doubt that the Sith will simply let this… being leave their service."

Siri nodded curtly, hoisting the Kenobi look alike onto her shoulder. "Let's get out before the entire droid army is on to us!"

Windu's face took on an air of detachment as led the way from the Separatist command post. Their transport was not far, but the droid army lay between them and it. They had been lucky so far, and none of the droids they had encountered had been able to send a message to Dooku. Mace paused seeing a detachment of droids ahead and motioned Knight Tachi to stop as well. Then using a simple hand gesture, he led his group in another direction. Hopefully, they haven't found our transport, Mace thought before deciding that they had hidden the craft well and Muln was with it. With another signal, Windu conveyed his intention to sweep around to the west before traveling south to where their craft waited. Tachi nodded, shifting the boy onto her other shoulder. The Jedi Master frowned and took the boy from her, motioning for her to start the trek through the barren landscape.

After several minutes, they reached the cliff area where Garen was silently waiting for them with a pair of electrobinoculars to his face. He put them down upon their arrival and stared at the bundle that Mace held. The Knight frowned when Windu held out the boy for him to take so that he could climb into the craft. He hesitated before gradually extending his arms. Windu then carefully placed the limp boy in his arms, and then swung effortlessly into the craft. Garen's eyes continued to examine the boy's lax face. Windu could only imagine what was going through the young man's mind.

"Stop gawking, Muln!" Siri said, climbing into the spacecraft. "Get us off this piece of rock."

Garen's forehead wrinkled as he set the boy down against the hull. "You do realize, Tachi, that Master Tiin comes from this piece of rock, as you call it."

Siri gaped at Garen. He was already gone when Siri closed her mouth and voiced her retort.

"Tachi, stay back here with the boy make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Windu said as he passed by her on his way to the cockpit. "Be prepared… this promises to be a bumpy ride." The words were not even out of his mouth when the craft lurched upward, causing him and Tachi to grab on to the nearest support they could.

Siri grabbed onto the boy's robes to prevent him from flying across the floor. "Bumpy rides an understatement, Master."

"Garen," Mace called to the cockpit. "How long before we hit the atsmophere!"

"A matter of minutes."

"As soon as we hit space enter hyperspeed."

Garen did not answer; instead he maneuvered the controls as their enemy suddenly became aware of their presence. He was not even aware that Mace had taken the co-pilot seat next to him. The aircraft spun in several directions. Garen clenched his jaw, allowing the Force to guide his hands. His seat rattled loudly. They had reached the atmosphere, in seconds they would be in space. Sure enough the red heat of the atmosphere dissipated allowing the black star littered abyss to appear. Fighters zoomed around, explosions clearly visible as the two sides fought for superiority. Normally, Garen would be one of them, but this time his goal was to stay far away and to slink in a hyperspace lane.

In the back, Siri wrapped her hands in a mess trap to balance herself. She focused on the ceiling, simply waiting for them to enter hyperspace, which would allow for an easy flight. She jerked when she felt the boy moving, shaking his sleep. He moaned, but appeared unable to fully grasped consciousness.

"Punch it, Muln!" Windu's voice echoed through the hold.

Siri felt them enter hyperspace as the ride smoothed out. The Kenobi-look-alike once again lay unmoving in front of her.

SWSWSW

"Master," Anakin shouted. "More droids are approaching!"

"I-I'm aware of that- Anakin." Qui-gon said between cuts.

As quickly as they came the droids suddenly retreated, disappearing entirely from the area. Qui-gon kept his lightsaber ignited knowing that it could only mean one thing.

"Dooku," Anakin voiced the Jedi Master's own thoughts.

A chuckle covered the air. "Qui-gon, my old padawan, it has been too long."

"Dooku," Anakin continued, ignoring the look his master was shooting at him. "We are bringing you in for all the atrocities you have inflicted in this galaxy!"

Anakin sprang forward, briefly hearing his master shouting his name. He chose to ignore and raised his lightsaber. Dooku was now merely inches in front of him. The sith's weapon was not even activated. To Anakin it did not matter, just as long as that monster was not around any longer around… and the war with him. His lightsaber cut diagonally only to meet air.

"Tsk-tsk, boy." The Count threw Anakin back using a Force push. "Where are your manners?"

"It's been a long time… old friend." Qui-gon spoke, choosing his words carefully.

Dooku smirked. "So guarded Qui-gon? Even when it comes to your old master. What if I were to tell you that this time, I wished to give you information."

"Surrender yourself, and you can present your information to the Jedi Council itself." With a whooshing sound, Qui-gon's lightsaber deactivated.

"I'm afraid… that that is not possible, old friend." Dooku lowered his head slightly. "There is still work to be done. Besides, I have seen the sith's face."

Qui-gon straightened. "Protection would be granted."

The Count chuckled. "He is bigger than that. A puppet master of epic proportions and this galaxy is filled with his puppets even the Jedi… which is why I left. What's that old saying… keep your friends close and your enemies closer? There was no fall to the dark side."

"If only I could believe that," Qui-gon murmured, shaking his head as Anakin, who was trying flank Dooku. "But you radiate with the dark side. It moves off you in waves. Sadly, even if you gave me the name of this Sith lord, I would be inclined to disbelieve it."

"Of course, Sith speak in riddles intertwined with truth and lies." Dooku paused. "But I did not lie, when I said that the Sith Lord now controlled the senate, think Qui-gon. Of the time just before and after Geonosis, and then, Qui-gon, you will see through the looking glass clearly, and hopefully before it is too late for you. It is already too late for the Jedi Order. They have grown too arrogant, and their heads are stuck in the cloud. They are out of touch with the world." Dooku brushed his cape out of the way. "Even you have had doubts, Qui-gon. I know; you have expressed them to me on more than one occasion."

"Master! We don't have to listen to him!" Anakin twirled his lightsaber, looking directly at his master. "Let's take him now… together."

"I will give you one more chance-."

"Don't bother." The red lightsaber ignited as Qui-gon's green one did. "Besides I sense you are in a hurry to get somewhere." Dooku's face paled. "The boy. So… the other Jedi were here to capture him."

"By the look on your face, it would seem they succeeded." Anakin quipped.

"It does not matter; Sidious will reclaim what is his."

Anakin began to say something, but Qui-gon was quick to cut him off. "What do you know about this boy?"

Dooku turned and began to walk away. He then paused, looking over his shoulder. "I have my guesses, but have no facts. But I can plainly see it on your face-." He looked grimly at his former padawan. "Qui-gon, forget the boy you taught, he no longer exists, if he is even still alive.'

"That other boy is merely a puppet. As soon as you cut the strings that connect him to him master, he will fall into a heap like any other puppet. There is no connection, no link from him to your former padawan. He will be unable to tell you what you desire to know. He is merely a blank slate, filled by his master."

Anakin frowned, feeling disappointment pass through the bond he shared with his master. He knew his master wished for confirmation in regards to his former padawan's fate. Now it had been denied by Dooku. Anger pulsed through Anakin's blood as he thought of all of Dooku's deed. Once again, he attacked the Count only this time he met Dooku's lightsaber. The two hissed as they connected red against blue. Pushing back, Dooku took quick steps readying his retreat only to have Qui-gon join the fray. A flurry of motion occurred with streaks of red, blue, and green vying for supremacy. Anakin kept his strokes coming fast, even though each was met by Dooku, but he could see sweat beginning to form on the older man's brow. It would not be long. The galaxy would be safe… Padmè would be safe. He quickly banished the thought before his master noticed it, though lately Anakin had begun to believe that he already knew.

Dooku used the apprentice's distraction, making a cut at his legs and sending the youth backwards. He quickly had to meet Qui-gon's lightsaber as it cut downward. The two blades locked, leaving the two combats face to face. Dooku was not a young man, and he understood it very well. He had to end this duel, luckily he had a plan. He fell back, avoiding the chosen one's attack at his right side. The Count, then, reached into the Force, using it to raise stones that lie in the frozen earth. He pushed outward, sending them at the Jedi. With them distracted, he made his escape from them, from the battle, and from the planet itself.

SWSWSW

It took several minutes before Anakin and Qui-gon were given clearance to land in the main Star Destroyer. Anakin leaned back in the pilot chair. His master had been unnervingly quiet since the encounter with the Count and upon landing had abandoned the co-pilot seat. Sighing, he rose and maneuvered his way out of the ship. In the hanger bay, his master stood talking with Master Rancisis, and Anakin moved into that area, though he chose to remain far enough away so as not to disturb the masters but close enough to listen to their conversion.

"It was a success," Master Rancisis said his speech slurred like all the beings of his species. "Master Windu and his team are already en route to Coruscant, where the Jedi Healers will take over."

"Healers?" His Master asked, his eyes widening.

"I only briefly brushed his mind and it seems that I triggered something in his mind." Rancisis paused, scratching his beard with his clawed fingers. "An interesting encounter. The mind healers will have an incredible job ahead of them."

"Then I leave things in your capable hands, Anakin and I will return to Coruscant now that Dooku has retreated."

Rancisis blinked and shook his head. "Nothing I say will convince you to stay. You have always followed your own path." Oppo Rancisis clasped his long fingers together, looking the picture of a Jedi Master. "While your loyalty is commendable remember, Master Jinn… you and Obi-wan went your separate ways. The roads have diverged. If you had wanted his return, your chance was twenty years ago. You can not walk backwards through time."

"To have him suddenly disappear… I have always wanted to know at least what happened."

"Go."

"Thank-you." Qui-gon turned and waved at Anakin. "We're heading back to Coruscant!"

Anakin smiled broadly, though his heartbeat quickened. He would get to see Padmè that was the plus. The negative was the boy. He hoped his master was not getting his hopes up. Padmè would probably have to wait as right now his Master was going to need him more, Anakin thought as he slumped down in the pilot seat. His hands ran over the controls.

"Are you ready, Master?"

"Yes… Anakin?"

"Yeah?"

"You remember what I say about your flying?"

"It's suicidal?" Anakin licked his lips, a smile spreading across his face. "And that I should fly ten times slower than what I do."

Qui-gon nodded his head. "Today, Anakin… fly ten times faster. I need to get to the temple just after the transport arrives, or the Council might shut me out of this situation."

"Of course, Master." Anakin said. "As ever, I am your obedient padawan."

Anakin heard his master sigh at the last part, causing him to grin more fully. But he said nothing instead he put the spacecraft into its paces taking it out of the hanger bay before entering hyperspace. Anakin laughed, knowing he was about to break every traffic law there was.

SWSWSW

A/N- Next update will hopefully be soon (life is hard to predict): Chapter Five- Clone?; Don't forget to Review