Chapter 5
Mace's chest hurt when he was finally brought out of unconsciousness. Someone was hovering above him pressing gentle hands against the wound on his chest. After a few moments, the Jedi Master could make out the sound of people speaking nearby.
"…an emergency session of the Senate to take place tomorrow. It looks as though Jar-Jar Binks is going to have to represent Senator Amidala because she will not get back here in time. It's likely she's barely arriving on Naboo now," Bail Organa's voice said.
"What could it possibly be about?" Mon Mothma's voice asked. Her voice sounded closest and Mace wondered if Mothma was the one that was seeing to his wound. He was answered a moment later when she said, "Hand me that bacta patch. We'll need to get him to a medic but I don't think we should leave. Remember what he said before he passed out."
"He said we can't tell anyone about this. What did he mean?" Organa asked.
"We'll ask him when he regains consciousness. He's out of danger but we really need to get him to a medic before the wound worsens."
"What do you suppose caused it?"
"It's certainly not a blaster wound. That much I know for sure."
Mace forced his eyes open and gazed around. He was lying on a form couch in the center of an apartment with a veranda overlooking the Senate district. Mon Mothma must have felt him move for she looked down at him, her pale eyes questioning. "You're awake, Master Jedi," she said. "What happened?"
Mace grimaced in pain as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "We discovered who the one behind the war was," he said leaning back against the armrest of the couch. "It was Chancellor Palpatine. He attacked me and stabbed me with a lightsaber. He then ordered something called Order 66 and ordered an attack on the Jedi Temple. He thought I was dead but I managed to stay conscious long enough to warn the Jedi and get to the lobby of the Senate Building. You know what happened after that."
"Palpatine's the one behind the war?" Organa exclaimed.
"How is this possible?" Mon Mothma added.
"He deceived us all," said Mace tiredly. "Can I borrow your comlink? I need to contact someone."
Mon Mothma nodded before handing the Korun Jedi Master her comlink and he lifted it to his lips after dialing Skywalker's comlink frequency.
"Skywalker here," Skywalker's voice sounded softly over the comlink.
"Skywalker," Mace said, "did you evacuate the temple?"
"We didn't get everyone out of there, Master Windu," Anakin said softly. "Masters Drallig, Nu and Che are dead as are quite a few younglings and Padawans. Obi-Wan and I managed to save a good number of the younglings and we're now trying to find someone to transport them off Coruscant. After that, Master Obi-Wan and I are going to try to find any other survivors."
"The best thing to do, Skywalker, is get off Coruscant. Leave with the younglings."
"What about you, Master Windu?"
"I don't think I'll be able to leave. Palpatine injured me pretty badly."
"I won't let another Jedi die because of that sadistic monster, Master Windu," Skywalker declared and Mace was startled by the fierce determination in the young Jedi Knight's voice; the tone was tinged with anger and all of it was directed at the Supreme Chancellor. "When Master Obi-Wan and I find a ship, we'll pick you up. Where are you?"
"Skywalker, I order you and Obi-Wan to leave Coruscant with the younglings," Mace ordered.
"No," Skywalker said stubbornly. "I will not leave without you. I cannot and will not let another Jedi die."
"You may as well give up and tell him where you are, Master Windu," Obi-Wan's voice sounded. "You know Anakin's stubborn; once he says he's going to do something, nothing short of the galaxy ending will stop him from accomplishing his goal."
Mace knew the auburn-haired Jedi Master was correct. "Very well," he said finally. "I am at…" He frowned before glancing at the two senators for he did not know at which senator's apartment he was.
"He's at Senator Organa's apartment," Mon Mothma said into the comlink before giving Skywalker the apartment number.
"I will be there as soon as we find a transport for the younglings and a ship for ourselves," Skywalker promised before he disconnected the transmission.
"Until then," said Organa, "stay here, rest and regain your strength, Master Windu."
Mace nodded before resting his head on the armrest and closing his eyes.
0 o 0 o 0 o 0
Anakin watched as a human co-pilot guided the many younglings that he and Obi-Wan managed to save into the refugee ship. Obi-Wan was speaking quietly with the captain who nodded every now and then although there was a questioning look in his eyes. Anakin watched as the last of the younglings were guided onto the ship and the co-pilot walked down the boarding ramp to join the captain.
"Everyone's onboard, sir," the co-pilot said saluting.
"Good," the captain said. "We'll try to get them someplace safe, Master Jedi," he added to Obi-Wan.
"The best place to take the younglings is somewhere outside of the Republic," said Obi-Wan.
Anakin glanced up when he felt a Force presence nearby and he ignited his lighsaber before turning around only to find a familiar brown haired young man with a 5YQ protocol droid at his side stopping a few feet away. Anakin deactivated his blade. "Jax?" He called.
"Anakin?" Jax said walking forward. "You survived the massacre?"
Anakin nodded. "We were warned ahead of time," he said.
"It's good to see you, Jax," Obi-Wan greeted the young Jedi Knight.
"You as well Master Kenobi," Jax replied before he nodded at the 5YQ droid at his side. "This is I5YQ. I call him I-Five. He worked with my father."
"Master Jedi," the captain said. "It would not be a good idea to stay here if the Chancellor really is after these Jedi Younglings."
"Jax," Anakin said to the brown-haired Jedi Knight, "would you mind going with the younglings and make sure they get somewhere safe? Master Obi-Wan and I are going to try to find any surviving Jedi but I think someone should go with the younglings."
"All right, Anakin," said Jax before he glanced at the protocol droid. "You coming with, I-Five."
"Of course, Master Jax," I-Five said before following Jax as the Jedi Knight made his way onto the refugee ship.
"Another passenger won't be a problem, will he?" asked Obi-Wan.
"No, we can fit as many as five hundred onboard," the captain said before saluting. "We really must get going, Master Jedi. I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you but there's no such thing," said Obi-Wan before watching as the captain and co-pilot walked onboard the ship. The two Jedi stepped backwards before watching, shielding their eyes, as the refugee ship rose into the air before flying past the atmosphere.
"Come on," said Obi-Wan. "Let's go find a ship and get Master Windu. He's right about one thing. Getting off Coruscant is our primary objective."
"What about the other Jedi?"
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said patiently, "the other Jedi know how to take care of themselves. We need to see about getting ourselves and Master Windu off Coruscant alive before the Chancellor finds us."
Anakin sighed knowing his former master was right. "All right, master," he said before the two of them made their way deeper into the underlevels of the city-planet. The two of them walked for what seemed like hours but, in reality, was only a few minutes before Anakin felt the familiar Force presence of clone troopers. He glanced at Obi-Wan who nodded to show he felt it as well and the two of them Force leapt onto the roof of one of the short buildings they were standing beside. The two of them crouched down before peering over the edge of the building as clone troopers sporting blasters already held at a ready walk below, their voices drifted to where the Jedi were hiding.
"There don't seem to be any Jedi here," said one of the clone troopers.
"The Chancellor seems to think Skywalker and Kenobi are still on Corsucant and he wants them found," said another clone trooper.
"Yes but where are they hiding?"
"The Jedi are crafty, they could hide in plain sight if they wanted to," said the first clone trooper before he looked at the spaceport that lay in front of them. "Contact the others. Have them secure the spaceports. The Jedi traitors will need to use the spaceports to get off Coruscant. It'll be the best place to catch them."
"Yes sir."
Anakin sat back on his heels before looking at his former Jedi Master. "Master, what are we supposed to do now?" he asked softly.
Obi-Wan remained silent eyes narrowed in thought. "Be patient, Anakin," he said gently. "The right solution will present itself in due time."
"Yes but when?" Anakin asked impatiently. "We need to find someone willing to transport us off Coruscant and then we'll need to get Master Windu and we're running out of time!"
"Calm down, Anakin," Obi-Wan said gently before he peered over the edge of the building eyes narrowed. "Look," he added pointing to a YT-1300 freighter that was parked in the middle of the spaceport. It was more than twenty-six meters long with duralloy plating with the boarding ramp standing open. "Perhaps the captain of that freighter would be willing to give us and Master Windu a lift off Coruscant."
"If we ask nicely," Anakin said sarcastically.
Obi-Wan glanced at the young Jedi Knight with raised eyebrows.
Anakin shrugged. "Your sarcasm rubbed off on me."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Perhaps that might be the only thing we can do," he said.
"Fine," Anakin said, "but you're talking to the captain. You are the Negotiator."
Obi-Wan sighed before nodding and he leapt off the building to hide behind a lot of crates and Anakin leapt down to join him. The two of them moved swiftly across the landing bay, using crates and doorways to hide in, before they gazed around for the captain of the YT-1300 freighter. A male human with blonde hair walked onto the landing bay with a graying haired man just behind him and the two of them walked over to the freighter. There were no clone troopers in the vicinity at that moment and Anakin knew this would be the only chance they would have to speak with the captains of the freighter.
He watched as Obi-Wan walked over to join the two captains before he gazed around for any clones while his master spoke with the captain. He was too far way to hear what was being said but he could see, out of the corner of his eye, that the two of them were talking quietly with each other as well as Obi-Wan. He didn't know how much time had passed before he caught sight of a clone trooper and he quickly sent a warning nudge through the Force to his former master.
Obi-Wan reappeared at his side a moment later. "Jadak and Duurmun have agreed to take us and Master Windu off Coruscant if we can get back here before they leave, which gives us half an hour to get to Master Windu."
"Clone troopers are coming too," Anakin murmured.
Obi-Wan nodded and the two of them made their way back the way they had come. They moved toward the building they had been hiding on earlier before leaping on top of it and quickly making their way toward 500 Republica.
It took them only fifteen minutes to reach the apartment complex and, when they reached it, they immediately made their way to Bail Organa's apartment, using the Force to dissuade clone troopers from seeing them. When they reached the apartment, Obi-Wan knocked on the door before waiting patiently for it to be answered.
Senator Mon Mothma answered it before gesturing for the two Jedi to come in. "Master Windu is resting," she said leading the way into the living room. Windu was lying on the form couch with a bandage wrapped around his chest, which was rising and falling gently with each breath he took.
"Master Jedi," Organa greeted them, "welcome. Master Windu informed us of what happened and we are both greatly sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said. "However, we do not have much time. We have only fifteen minutes to reach the spaceport where the captain of a freighter agreed to take the three of us off Coruscant."
"I can fly you there, Master Jedi," Organa said.
"It will be dangerous," said Obi-Wan, "especially if the clones catch us with you. We may be able to dissuade them but not for that long."
"I'll take that chance."
Windu woke up at that moment before slowly sitting up and gazing around, dark eyes taking in the scene quickly. "Obi-Wan, Skywalker," he greeted them, his voice rough with barely suppressed pain.
"Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied. "We must leave now if we are to reach the spaceport before the captain leaves without us."
"We're going to have to be careful though," said Anakin. "The place'll likely be crawling with clones."
Windu nodded before grunting in pain as he pushed himself to his feet. "Did you find any surviving Jedi?"
"We didn't get a chance to look," said Anakin. "But we found Jax Pavan and sent him and his droid with the younglings."
"How many of the younglings escaped?"
"Almost two hundred."
Windu nodded before he walked over to join them. "Come," he said, "it would be best if we got off Coruscant now."
"Yes Master Windu."
Organa walked over to join them. "My speeder is ready to go," he said. The three Jedi nodded before following the senator as he led the way out of his apartment.
0 o 0 o 0 o 0
"Where are we heading, Master Jedi?" Jabak asked as Obi-Wan got Master Windu settled and strapped down in the cargo hold of the ship and took a seat beside Anakin.
"What about Naboo?" Anakin asked.
"That's a Republic planet, Skywalker," Windu said.
"But I know of many places where you can hide on Naboo," Anakin protested.
Obi-Wan glanced at his former apprentice. He knew instantly why Anakin wished to go to Naboo; his wife and children were on the planet. "I think that might be best," he said. "At the very least, the Chancellor will not think we have gone there."
"He might," said Windu. "But very well."
"So to Naboo," asked Jabak.
"Yes."
"All right. Strap yourself in." The freighter, known as the Stellar Envoy, climbed into the air before flying toward the atmosphere only to be stopped when the comlink beeped.
"YT-1300 freighter, pass your clearance codes," a voice sounded from the console.
"Of course," Duurmun said before he passed the clearance codes. Obi-Wan waited, hoping the Stellar Envoy wouldn't be stopped from leaving. However, his worries were in vain for the freighter was cleared for leaving the atmosphere a moment later.
"Well, looks like we got lucky," said Jabak.
"There's no such thing," Anakin said.
Jabak glanced at the young Jedi Knight but said nothing as he punched in the coordinates for Naboo and the Stellar Envoy leapt into hyperspace.
Obi-Wan turned his attention to Windu whose eyes were closed. "Are you all right, Master Windu?" he asked.
"I have been better, Master Kenobi," Windu murmured.
"We'll get you to a medic as soon as possible. Although, I doubt it will be a good idea to see a medic on Naboo. I don't think we should remain on Naboo for that long as it is. When are we likely to reach Naboo?" He directed his question at Jabak who was flying the Stellar Envoy at that moment.
"By tomorrow at the least, three days at the most," replied Jabak.
"Where will we go afterwards? I doubt it's wise to stay on Naboo for too long," Windu asked.
"I think it'll be best to discuss that, among other things, when we reach Naboo," said Obi-Wan with a pointed glance at Anakin who pretended to not have seen it.
Windu did, however, for he asked, "Is there something you're keeping from me, Obi-Wan?"
"Not me," said Obi-Wan. "Although, I do believe Anakin may have something he would like to share."
"Do you really think now is the appropriate time?" Anakin protested.
"I think it would be best if Master Windu knows this before we reach Naboo, Anakin," replied Obi-Wan calmly. "And you know that I am right."
Anakin let out a long sigh. "I suppose so, Master," he said quietly.
"Skywalker…" Windu said watching Anakin who seemed to have found an interesting spot on the floor to stare at.
"Anakin, just tell him. He's going to find out either way," said Obi-Wan.
Anakin let out a long sigh. "All right," he said. "Master Windu, what I wanted to tell you is…well…I don't know how to say it."
"Tell him like you told me."
Anakin snorted. "Apparently, I didn't have to tell you since you figured it out on your own. However, I guess the only way I can say it is if I'm blunt about it." He turned his gaze to Windu. "Master Windu, just after the Battle of Geonosis, I got married to Senator Padmé Amidala and, about a month ago, she gave birth to my twin children; Luke and Leia. The three of them are currently on Naboo."
Windu was surprised; Obi-Wan could feel it through the Force. "You're married," he repeated, "and the father of twin children."
"Yes," replied Anakin. "I would have told you sooner but what with Order 66 and Palpatine being a Sith Lord, I didn't get the chance. Obi-Wan's right, this is as good a time as ever since you'll likely meet the twins when we reach Naboo."
"Never before in the last three thousand years of the Jedi Order has a Jedi fathered a child before, let alone twins. You broke the Jedi Code, Skywalker, but I think it would be best to wait to discuss what will happen to you," said Windu.
"Yes Master Windu."
0 o 0 o 0 o 0
"...In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years," the newly declared Emperor Palpatine's voice sounded over the holocomm. Bail was feeding the Senate Meeting live directly into Padmé's comlink and she was listening and watching the Senate meeting in the living room of the Naberrie home. Ahsoka was sitting nearby watching the twins as well as the message that Bail was sending Padmé.
"So this is how liberty dies," Padmé said sadly hearing the enormous applause that echoed through her comlink, "with thunderous applause."
"I can't believe he referred to us as traitors," Ahsoka protested. "We've done everything we could to safeguard the Republic. If anyone betrayed the Republic then it was him!"
Padmé sighed lowering the comlink. "I know," she said quietly.
"Padmé!"
Padmé glanced up to find Sola walked into the living room. "Yes Sola?" she said to her sister.
"Anakin's here."
Padmé stood up immediately before following Sola as she led the way out of the Naberrie household; Ahsoka stayed where she was to watch over the twins. The two sisters left the house and Padmé immediately saw her husband walking over to join them with Obi-Wan, who was supporting Jedi Master Mace Windu, just behind him.
"Ani," she gasped rushing forward but stopped a few feet away with a glance at the Jedi Master.
Anakin drew her into his arms before gently kissing her on the lips. "He knows," he murmured to the senator.
"He does?"
"I told him. I sense there's no point in keeping it a secret now, not with what happened to the Jedi," Anakin replied.
"Yes I heard. Palpatine declared himself the new Emperor and has turned the Republic into an Empire. He declared all Jedi traitors," Padmé admitted softly before she looked at Mace. "Let's get you inside. You look like you could use some rest. Sola, can you call Dr. Ryna?"
Sola nodded before slipping into the home and Padmé turned her gaze back to her husband, Obi-Wan and Mace. "Dr. Ryna is the Naberrie family's personal medic. No one on Naboo will know you're here, Master Jedi."
Mace nodded.
"How are Luke and Leia?" Anakin asked.
"They're fine, Ani, but Ahsoka said they felt the deaths of the Jedi. I also told her about us," Padmé said.
Anakin sighed. "I was going to tell her," he admitted, "but I didn't get the chance. If you'll excuse me, Senator…" Without waiting for a reply, Anakin dashed past her and into the home.
Padmé watched him go. "He's grown very fond of his children," she said to Obi-Wan, "especially Luke."
As if on cue, Anakin left the house rocking a sobbing Luke in his arms. "He woke up and started crying," Anakin explained to Padmé as he came to a stop at her side. "I didn't want him to wake up Leia so I brought him out here."
"I fed him and changed him already," Padmé said. "He's probably crying because he wants attention."
Anakin smiled, love glowing in his eyes before he lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to Luke's forehead. The little baby was still sobbing but he did snuggle closer to his father. "I haven't seen him since you left Coruscant. I think he missed me."
Padmé nodded. "Come in, all of you," she said before she led the way into the Naberrie household with her husband, Obi-Wan and Mace just behind them.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was chapter 5
Darth: that's cool
Blaze: yup
Darth: what's gonna happen in the next chapter?
Blaze: Yoda and Palpy's duel, finding another rendezvous point and a decision is made
Darth: are you going to separate the twins?
Blaze: it goes with the plot I'm working out so yes I will
Darth: so what about Anakin and the others?
Blaze: oh I already have a plan (smirks mischievously) Please review and I will post chapter 6 as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon