Author's Note: I remember when I first wrote this chapter. It was so hard to get the crash landing done properly to make it sound believable and not stupid. Originally I just summarized it saying, "The descent onto Crouscant was a rough and bumpy ride and the landing was even worse. They crash landed." Of course that was the summary I'd done when I wasn't all too familiar with the movie and it had to go. The summer of last year I'd seen the film four times, but still even though I had the novel I knew I wouldn't be able to get it right fully till I got it on DVD and was able to study the scene to its extent. I watched the scene over and over on my portableplayer and it took at least an hour to do but I got through it. Reading it, it may not seem like much but believe me it was a long ride getting through it.
Today is also a bit specialfor me being that June 30, 2006 marks a year I've been writing this story. It's the first project I've actually done that I haven't given up on by lack of interest or writer's block. I've done so many stories before and was so excited when I started out but then about two weeks later the excitement was gone and I wasn't interested. So for me it's an accomplishment that I haven't gotten bored with this. Despite the fact that I've thought of giving up so many times (not recently) I kept going because if you give up on one thing whose to say later on in life you won't give up on something else just because it gets tough at times?
Well I think I've rattled on for long enough, on with the story...
P.S.-Welcome to the storySica Meni!
The Lure of the Dark Side: Chronicle 1-The Turning of an Era
Episode V: Revenge of the Sith
Chapter 3: Confronting Grievous
As soon as the four captives entered the bridge of the Separatist Warship, The Invisible Hand, they found General Arica Grievous standing in the center of the room in all her arrogance, donned in a dressy casual black outfit and heels, smirking with satisfaction at the sight of them.
"Ah yes, the Negotiator," she mocked in a sarcastic tone. "General Kenobi. We've been waiting for you."
"Excuse me," the commander battle droid that had collected the Jedi's lightsabers from them earlier said, moving between Anakin and Obi-Wan on its way to give them to Arica.
"That wasn't much of a rescue," she mocked, snatching the three lightsabers out of the Commander droid's hands without even looking at it.
"You're welcome," it muttered but the General ignored it.
"And," she coughed, "Anakin Skywalker." She came over to face him. "I would've expected someone of your reputation to be a little...older. And much better looking I might add."
Antellica sniffed with disgust, remembering all too well Arica's ever-present infatuation of Anakin. Obviously it still lingered.
Arica gave Antellica an up and down disgusted look before turning back to Anakin.
He, to Antellica's surprise, was simply smiling at Arica. "General Arica Grievous," he said putting a large emphasis on the word 'General', "you're much taller than I expected (and indeed she, like Antellica, was practically Anakin's height now) and I see you've grown a bit more beautiful since last I saw you."
Anakin winked over at Antellica, who if her hands hadn't been cuffed would've clapped them over her mouth to stop herself from laughing. She smirked instead.
Arica however, though shocked and a bit pleased by Anakin's compliment of her, sniffed in disgust. "Jedi scum," she spat and stalked off while Antellica openly laughed.
"We have a job to do Anakin," Obi-Wan reprimanded. "Try not to upset her."
Antellica than noticed R2 beep something and Anakin glancing over at him. Arica turned back around and smirked at Obi-Wan.
"You're in my grip now Jedi. You go no where." She gave a satisfied laugh and held up their three lightsabers tauntingly in their faces. "Your lightsabers will make a fine edition to my ever growing collection." She than pocketed them in her cloak.
"Not this time," Obi-Wan retorted. "And this time you won't escape."
"R2!" Anakin suddenly commanded. The droid opened up all the hidden compartments inside its doom and fired electricity all around. Next thing Antellica knew Obi-Wan and Anakin's bonds were cut and they both had their lightsabers back in their hands, ignited.
"Crush them!" Arica roared in outrage at her Magna Guards. "Make them suffer!"
The Magna Guards rushed forward with their electrostaffs raised. Before they could get to them though Anakin used his lightsaber to cut Antellica's bonds while Obi-Wan threw her lightsaber to her. She caught it and began slicing down droids along with the rest. This managed to get her engaged in battle with one of the Magna Guards.
In the meantime Arica was barking commands at her crew. "Stay at your stations! No! Don't bother about the Jedi! Keep the ship in orbit!"
After a few minutes Antellica finally defeated the Magna Guard she'd been battling. Whipping around she locked eyes with Arica across the room. After simply staring at one another a moment Antellica proceeded to march over towards her. Arica looked mildly surprised at first but than smirked, swirling around the electrostaff she was holding, ready to attack. Anakin and Obi-Wan had now also made their way over to her. She was surrounded.
"I suggest you surrender Arica," Obi-Wan said calmly. "You really are outnumbered. And your ship is falling apart."
Arica gave a small laugh. "I am so sorry to disappoint you but, you lose General Kenobi!"
Throwing a space-secured helmet over her head she then rose the electrostaff she was holding and threw it not at the Jedi, but at the nearest window. As it crashed and the hurricane of space swept in the specialized space suit she wore underneath her clothes was revealed as she flew out into the strong winds of space. Antellica and the others had to do all they could to hold on for dear life to the closet things on the ship so to not be thrown out into the hurricane of space with all the droids, Neimoidians and everything else that wasn't tied or bolted down.
Hurricane of space/Escape pod bunker, The Invisible Hand
After flying a few meters out the window donned in her specialized space suit Arica threw a tow cable at The Invisible Hand to stop herself from being blown into the far depths of space. With it she brought herself back over to the ship and proceeded to climb on the outside of it till she got to the top hatch of the escape pod bunker of the ship. Undoing the latch she opened the lid and dropped down into it. Getting up she proceeded over to the escape pod control panel with a laugh.
"Time to abandon ship," she cackled as she launched all ten of the pods so they'd leave within the next fifteen seconds. She quickly jumped into one of them still laughing.
She'd like to see those Jedi fools escape now. No trick of the Force would spring Kenobi and Skywalker out of this one. It was a real shame she didn't have a spy probe handy to leave on the bridge; she very much would've enjoyed watching the Republic's greatest heroes burn. But alas that probably wasn't going to happen. Sidious would think of something to get them out of the situation and they'd survive. Oddly enough Arica found herself being disappointed with this.
Bridge, The Invisible Hand
A few moments after the hurricane of space began it stopped due to the temporary window shield that turned on, covering the area of the destroyed window. No longer having to hold onto anything Antellica and the others got back up, slicing down a few more spare droids that were still on the bridge.
When all the remaining droids were destroyed a loud beeping alarm went off on one of the ship's controls. Anakin made his way over to it with Antellica and Obi-Wan right behind.
"All the escape pods have been launched," he reported.
"Grievous," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin warily nodded and began to make his way towards the cockpit with the others following.
"Can you fly a cruiser like this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"You mean can I land what's left of this thing?" Anakin asked.
"Well?" Obi-Wan asked impatiently.
Anakin sighed. "Well under the circumstances I'd say the ability to pilot this thing is irrelevant."
He took a seat in the main pilot's chair and began hitting all sorts of buttons. "Strap yourselves in."
Obi-Wan, Antellica, and Palpatine all sat down around him: Obi-Wan on his left, Antellica on his right and the Chancellor behind them. R2 was seated next to Antellica. Obi-Wan and Antellica would be Anakin's co-pilots.
"Open all hatches. Extend all drapes and drag fins," he commanded.
Obi-Wan and Antellica both pressed buttons to do this and the ship began to make its way towards the outside of Crouscant. They were flying smoothly a few moments when suddenly the ship gave an enormous jolt, throwing all the human passengers in the cockpit forward. Antellica wasn't sure what was going on but it felt like half of the ship had come off.
"Uh-oh," R2 beeped.
"We lost something," Anakin said.
"Not too worry we are still flying half a ship," Obi-Wan commented, trying to make heart of the situation. The cruiser than began to speed up, really fast. Without the excess weight of the other half of the ship it was easier to fly.
"Now we're really picking up speed," Anakin announced.
Every second they flew the ship went faster and faster. It now appeared they'd be entering the atmosphere soon.
"8 plus 60," Obi-Wan said. "We're in the atmosphere."
"Grab that, it'll keep us level," Anakin commanded Obi-Wan.
Antellica didn't know or care what Obi-Wan was supposed to grab. All she cared about was getting off this ship that was still coming apart as they flew it. Successfully making their way through the troposphere they flew through the clouds a few minutes before finally being able to see the familiar surroundings of Crouscant.
"Steady," Obi-Wan advised for they were still increasing in speed as they went.
R2 than started beeping about who knows what. Antellica didn't feel like glancing over at his front screen to see.
"Easy R2," Anakin assured the droid.
"5,000," Obi-Wan reported on their current speed. "Fire ships on the left and the right."
"We'll take you in," a Clone in one of the ship's commed.
"Copy that," Obi-Wan affirmed.
As they than began to follow the fire ships Antellica glanced up slightly from the controls and was able to see them spraying water on The Invisible Hand, in an attempt to put out the flaming ship.
"Landing strip straight ahead," Obi-Wan reported, pointing ahead towards it.
"We're coming in too hot," was Anakin's terse reply.
Preparing herself for a crash landing Antellica sat back as far as she dared. As soon as the ship hit the ground they all were jolted forward again, but even more this time. R2 was screaming. They skidded along the landing for about a minute before they finally screeched to halt. Antellica sat back in her chair and let out a breath of relief. They were safe now and secure on land again. She glanced over at Anakin and he at her before they both than looked at Obi-Wan, who was smiling.
"Another happy landing."
They all shared a laugh and proceeded off the ship. Outside a shuttle was already waiting for them.
As they rode to the Senate Building Antellica sat back in the chair she was sitting in and let out a happy sigh. It was wonderful to be back on Crouscant again after five long months of absence.
When they arrived, Antellica noticed a large group of politicians gathered around the entrance, obviously awaiting their arrival.
Padme's probably among them no doubt.
So when Palpatine, Anakin and R2 got off the shuttle Antellica stayed behind. She wished to give Anakin and Padme a little privacy before returning home. Anakin stopped when he noticed Obi-Wan and Antellica weren't following him off the shuttle.
"Are you coming Master? Antellica?"
They both looked over at her, but she merely shrugged.
"Master?"
"Oh no I'm not brave enough for politics. I have to report to the Council," Obi-Wan said. "Besides someone needs to be the poster boy."
Antellica snorted.
"Hang on. This whole operation was your idea," Anakin pressed.
"Let us not forget Anakin that you rescued me from the buzz droids," Obi-Wan said. "And you killed Count Dooku and you rescued the Chancellor, all while carrying me unconscious on your back."
"All because of your training," Anakin said trying to remain modest, though it was obvious he was enjoying the praise.
"Anakin. Let's be fair, today you were the hero. And you deserve your glorious day with the politicians," Obi-Wan said.
Antellica noticed that he had coughed on the last word.
"All right. But you owe me one and not for saving your skin for the tenth time."
"Ninth time," Obi-Wan corrected. "That business on Cato Neimoidia doesn't-doesn't count."
"Really? So uh-the memory of you being straggled my some deadly plants while sharks and alligators attempted to eat you, doesn't count?" Antellica asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat and coughed, "I'll see you at the briefing," at Anakin before going back inside the shuttle.
Anakin laughed lightly before looking back at Antellica. "Are you sure you don't want to come Antellica?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm sure. I'll see Padme later." She winked at him before than stepping off the shuttle and whispering to him, "I thought I'd give you and Padme some privacy first."
"Antellica you don't have too-"
"I know I don't have to. I choose too," Antellica said cutting him off lightly.
"But you do live there too," Anakin argued. "Antellica-"
She placed a single digit on his lips to prevent him from continuing and gave him a peek on the cheek.
"Spend the rest of the day with Padme all right. I'll assist Obi-Wan in giving the report at the briefing."
"But the Council. They'll want me there," Anakin protested.
Antellica smirked. "Just because someone wants something doesn't mean they have to have it. I'll simply tell them the mission tired you and that you wished to take the rest of the day off."
"But-"
Once again she silenced him with a gentle finger. She than gave him a smile before going back on the shuttle and sitting next to Obi-Wan as it than took off again.