Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 23! Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Forever Destined:
Chapter 23: Into Hiding
Obi-Wan hung on tightly, as the carrier droid wove in and out of traffic. Obi-Wan ducked and dodged oncoming objects.
"This is officially the worst idea I've ever had!" Obi-Wan yelled, as he was nearly hit by several speeders. He looked around in annoyance.
"Where the hell are you Anakin?!" he wondered.
Anakin jammed the throttle down and accelerated to dangerous speeds, as he wove through the busy traffic, looking for this brother. Anakin spotted him ahead and accelerated even more.
Zam Wessel spotted the droid she'd sent the Kouhuns with. There was a Jedi hanging from it and she knew that the creatures had likely been destroyed before they could kill the Senator. She took her sniper rifle and aimed it at the droid. It hit and the Jedi dropped. Satisfied with that, she hopped into her speeder and took off...
Anakin saw Obi-Wan fall and dove down under him. Obi-Wan landed in the front seat and strapped in.
"What took you so long?" Obi-Wan griped.
"Well, since my speeder is at grandfather's, I had to pick out a random one. You know, I had to find one with an open cockpit and one that was fast enough. Oh and the color of course; that was very important," Anakin retorted.
"Very funny, baby brother. Watch it!" Obi-Wan cried, as they skidded between two speeders.
"Blast it Anakin, you're going to get us killed!" Obi-Wan yelled.
"Relax Ben," Anakin chuckled.
"I forgot that you don't like flying," Anakin called.
"Flying is fine...but what you do is SUICIDE!" Obi-Wan yelled. Anakin saw that the assassin was heading down into the lower levels of Coruscant and he followed steering downward. A little too downward for Obi-Wan's taste.
"Anakin, pull up!" Ben ordered. Anakin laughed and then pulled up at the last second.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist," Anakin replied innocently.
"Not funny!" Obi-Wan replied. The assassin sped through the electro magnetic field and Anakin followed.
"Anakin, go around!" Obi-Wan called. But Anakin didn't listen and went through the field, enduring the shocks that came with it.
"Bloody hell...how many times have I told you..." Ben was about to continue, but saw the assassin take a different path, but Anakin just kept going straight.
"Anakin! He went that way!" Obi-Wan yelled.
"Relax, this is a short cut...I think..." Anakin replied. Soon, there was no sign of the assassin and Anakin brought the speeder to a halt.
"Great...now you've lost him!" Obi-Wan scolded.
"I'm deeply sorry. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an assassin to catch," Anakin said, as he hopped out fo the speeder and floated down, landing right on top of the assassin's speeder.
"I hate it when he does that," Obi-Wan griped, as he took the controls and went after him.
Anakin thrust his saber through the roof. Zam Wessel swerved and Anakin lost his hold on his saber, in which Obi-Wan caught, as it floated back toward him. Zam Wessel swerved, trying to get rid of the young Jedi. She discharged her blaster through the roof, but failed to get him. The speeder was smoking and she lost control, crashing into the streets of the lower levels. Anakin was thrown into a bunch of storage containers. He painfully pulled himself to his feet and gave chase to the fleeing assassin. The assassin ran into a club, just as Obi-Wan caught up with him.
"She went into the club," Anakin said.
"She?" Ben asked.
"Yes and I think she is a changeling," Anakin replied.
"Well, in that case, we should be extra careful," Obi-Wan said, as he handed him his light saber.
"You cannot be so reckless. This weapon is your life," Obi-Wan lectured.
"Save it for later. Besides, if I remember correctly, you're the one that went crashing through our window and went flying through the entire city.
"Touche, baby brother," Obi-Wan replied, as he headed for the bar.
"Where are you going?" Anakin asked.
"For a drink," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin rolled his eyes and began his search. His eyes scanned the noisy club, but so far, he did not see her.
Obi-Wan sat at the bar and sipped at his brandy.
"Wanna buy some death sticks?" an unfortunate looking alien asked. Obi-Wan waved his hand in front of the young man.
"You don't want to sell me death sticks," Obi-Wan said evenly.
"I don't want to sell you death sticks," he repeated.
"You want to go home and rethink your life," Obi-Wan instructed.
"I want to go home and rethink my life," he repeated. Obi-Wan's senses were tingling, as he sensed an approaching threat. He ignited his blade and sliced her arm off. She fell to the ground in pain.
"Jedi business, go back to your drinks," Anakin said, as he and Obi-Wan lifted her up and dragged her outside.
"Who were you trying to kill?" Ben asked.
"The Senator from Naboo," Zam replied.
"Who hired you?" Obi-Wan asked. She was silent.
"Who hired you...tell us. Tell us now!" Anakin demanded.
"It was a bounty hunter called..." Suddenly, a dart hit her in the neck, stopping her words. Obi-Wan briefly saw an armored figure jet away. Zam Wessel took her last breath and passed away. Obi-Wan pulled the dart from her throat.
"Poison dart," he stated. Anakin and Obi-Wan hopped in the speeder and headed back to Padme's apartment.
Dorme let them in when they arrived. Padme rushed over and hugged Anakin tightly.
"Did you find the person responsible? Are you okay?" Padme shot questions at him.
"Yes, she was a bounty hunger, probably hired by another bounty hunter, since he killed her with a poison dart before she could give us a name. And we're both fine," Anakin replied, as he kissed her cheek.
"Bounty hunters?" Padme asked. If bounty hunters were after her, there could be many more attempts.
"Hey, I don't care if there's a hundred or even a thousand bounty hunters after you, because not one will succeed. Not as long as there's still breath in my body," he said, as he hugged her tightly.
Anakin and Padme arrived at the Chancellor's office the next morning, per his request. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had also been summoned and were already there.
"Milady, it is good to see you safe. Master Kenobi was just telling me about your terrible ordeal last night," Palpatine said.
"Thank you Chancellor, I am safe, thanks to Anakin and Obi-Wan," Padme replied.
"Yes, your safety concerns me and that is the reason I have called you both here this morning. After reading the reports, I believe I have no choice but to ask you to reside back home on Naboo until Master Jinn and Master Kenobi can find this assassin," Palpatine said. Anakin looked to his father.
"The Council has commissioned Ben and I to find the assassin. You will continue as her Jedi protection, of course," Qui-Gon told his son.
"Chancellor, I do not think the situation..." Padme was cut off.
"Is that serious," Palpatine finished.
"No, but I do. Your safety is the most important thing. Wouldn't you agree, Anakin?" Palpatine asked. Anakin silently cursed the old man for putting him on the spot.
"Padme's's safety is the most important thing to me. However, she has been working tirelessly against this bill and I believe it would be unfair to her if she was not here to see it through. I believe that I can provide her with the necessary security right here. In fact, I could even move us to accommodations in the Temple if the Council agrees," Anakin said. Padme nodded in agreement.
"Chancellor, I appreciate your concern, but Anakin and I are to be married in less than three days also," Padme replied.
"I am sympathetic to your plight, but I am afraid I must insist that you postpone your wedding briefly until this assassin can be captured. I must insist that you comply with my request for your own safety, milady," Palpatine said. Padme knew she'd just been given an executive order.
"Very well Chancellor," Padme said, as she took Anakin's arm and stormed out.
Anakin winced, as he watched Padme furiously pack her things into her travel case. He'd already finished packing, but it took Padme much longer. He'd never seen her quite this angry or agitated.
"I do not like this idea of hiding!" she said in vehement.
"I know angel. Believe me, I'm not exactly happy about this turn of events either. There's something very ominous in the Force," Anakin replied.
"The same thing you've been feeling the last few months, right?" she asked. He nodded.
"Yes...only it's getting stronger. Master Yoda says the dark side clouds everything and he's right. It's so hard to sense...so elusive," Anakin said, with a sigh. She came up and put her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.
"I have worked tirelessly to see this act defeated and to not be here when its fate is decided, makes me feel like it was all for nothing," Padme said.
"Your hard work was not for nothing. You have a very strong voice in the Senate. That's why they don't want you there, because people listen to you," Anakin said.
"Ani, if the Military Creation Act passes, then it will mean war. Chancellor Palpatine is forcing us into hiding, so he may get his way. Not to mention that we are being forced to postpone our wedding!" Padme complained.
"I know...I hate it too. But we have to hope for the best with the situation in the Senate. And dad and Ben will find this assassin in no time. We're getting married...it will just be a few days later," he assured her. She pouted her lips.
"I know...but that still doesn't mean I have to like it," she pouted. He chuckled at how cute she looked when she pouted. Sith Lords couldn't bend him to their will with any amount of force. But her pout wielded complete power of him.
"Are you making fun of me?" she asked.
"No, I'd be much too frightened to tease a Senator," he said, as he blew softly in her ear. She gasped and then blushed at some of the things he was whispering to her. She smiled and giggled, as his breath tickled her.
"We just have to make the best of our situation," he said, with a soft smile.
"Well, I suppose I can't say I would be opposed to a pre-honeymoon before the real honeymoon. We both could definitely benefit from the break. I don't want you to think that I was against going away, because I didn't want to spend time with you. Very much the opposite in fact," she said.
"Hey...I never thought that. It never even crossed my mind. I love that you are so dedicated to your career. I love that fire and passion you have for what's right. You are a rare thing in the Senate these days. I love you so much, angel. And my heart sours, because I know you love me too," he told her, she had tears in her eyes and she stroked his face.
"I'm so deeply in love with you. I know I could not survive without you," she said.
"You'll never have to," Anakin replied, as he slowly kissed her pouted lips. Padme sighed in satisfaction, as he slowly moved his lips over hers. She parted her lips, welcoming his tongue, as it slipped inside her mouth. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, running her fingers through his hair, as he kissed her deeply, becoming completely lost in her sweet taste. Slowly and reluctantly, he broke the kiss and smiled at her.
"We better change and get ready to leave. The transport leaves in an hour," Anakin said. She smiled and nodded, as she began taking her hair down from the buns she had it in.
"We can continue where we left off later," he promised, as he kissed her neck.
"I'm going to hold you to that, my Jedi hero," she replied, as they donned civilian clothes. Anakin wore a simple tunic and pants, concealing his light saber in a leg holster strapped to his caf muscle. Padme donned a simple blue dress that flattered her trim figure. They were boarding a public transport headed for Naboo as a young newlywed couple. They hoped this would disguise them, as they were sure people would know if they left aboard a private ship, since the Holonet, and any hired assassins would be watching the landing platforms at the Senate. Once they arrived at the public docking bay, they said some quick goodbyes to their family, as well as Dorme and Typho, who were staying behind to keep up appearances. Anakin carried their bags, as they headed for the transport with Artoo and Threepio following them. The journey aboard the transport was uneventful and the young couple arrived on Naboo without incident.
Meanwhile, after seeing Anakin and Padme off, Qui-Gon sent Obi-Wan to speak to Dex about the dart that killed Zam Wessel. Strangely enough, Master Nu had not been able to match it to anything or anywhere in the Archives. Dex was a close family friend and his days as a smuggler allowed him a wealth of knowledge about weapons which he gained during that time, before he met Qui-Gon and cleaned up his life. Obi-Wan stepped into the quaint diner.
"Obi-Wan!" Dex called. Obi-Wan grinned.
"Hello Dex," Obi-Wan greeted. The four armed alien pointed him to a table.
"Have a seat. I'll be right wit ya," Dex said. Obi-Wan did so and the waitress served him a cup of jawa juice.
"Yur dad tol' me you'd be coming. Said it was pretty important," Dex said, as he sat down.
"It is Dex. Can you tell me what this is? It's not showing up in the archives at all," Obi-Wan said, as he handed the small dart to him.
"Say...now I haven't seen one of these in years. I'll be..." Dex said, as he examined the dart.
"Do you know its origin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Sure do. What you got here is a Kaminoan sabre dart," Dex said.
"Kamino? I've never heard of it," Obi-Wan replied.
"Not surprisin'. Them Kaminoans keep to themselves. They're cloners," Dex said.
"Cloners?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yep. Damn good ones too," Dex replied.
"Curious," Obi-Wan said, wondering what connections this bounty hunter had to Kamino. And more importantly...why...
"Cloners...are they friendly?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Depends," Dex replied.
"Depends on what, Dex?" he asked. Dex smiled slyly.
"On how good your manners are...and how big your...pocketbook is," Dex said with a sly laugh. Obi-Wan smiled and sipped at his drink.
"So, where's that kid brother of yurs and that beautiful doll he brought with him last week? Yur dad told me the wedding's been postponed. Is everything all right? Dex asked. Obi-Wan looked around to make sure no one was listening.
"Well, Anakin's very outspoken future wife has been targeted by someone who wants her dead. That's why I needed to know what you knew about that dart. Anakin and Padme are in hiding until dad and I can find the person that's placed this hefty bounty on her head," Obi-Wan explained.
"That's terrible. She's such a lovely you woman. Who'd want to kill her?" Dex asked.
"Well, unfortunately, the list of suspects continues to grow. But don't worry, dad and I will get to the bottom of this. Then, you'll be joining us at my baby brother's wedding," Obi-Wan replied.
"No doubt in my mind and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll see ya later, old friend," Dex said, as he patted Obi-Wan on the back. Obi-Wan finished his drink, before returning to the Temple.
Later that evening, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon created a simulated star field in a dark training room.
"Dex insists that the dart came from Kamino. But there is no Kamino in the archives. According to Dex's information, it should be right here," Obi-Wan pointed.
"There is a pull of gravity coming from this spot. It is likely that it is there...but it has simply been deleted from the archives," Qui-Gon suggested.
"But how? And more importantly why?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That is what we're going to find out. I am going to speak to your grandfather and the Council. We will leave for these coordinates in the morning. And I'm almost positive that we will find this mysterious Kamino and the answers we seek," Qui-Gon stated.
After a brief meeting with the Queen, Anakin and Padme, along with the droids, boarded the ferry headed for Varykino. They arrived as the sun was setting, casting a romantic glow on the lake. Threepio took their bags to their bedroom, while they watched the sun dip below the horizon. A few of Padme's handmaidens began preparing dinner for them, even though Padme insisted that they did not have to wait on them, as she was perfectly capable of cooking herself. But Anakin told her to let them fuss over her and to relax, so they could enjoy each other's company without to worries of the Senate looming over them. Padme kissed him softly and pulled away.
"I'm going to go get dressed for dinner," Padme said.
"You look beautiful the way you are. But if you are going to go change, did you happen to bring that black dress?" he asked, with a sly smile.
"Which black dress, my love? I own many," she replied, with an equally sly smile.
"Oh you know which one," he replied.
"The one I wore the night..." she began, as she stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"The night we first made love?" she asked.
"Yes...definitely that one. You might want to dismiss your handmaidens after dinner is ready, because some most indecent things are probably going to happen in very open places," he said.
"Oh I will. Believe me, you're not the only one with naughty plans for this evening," she replied sultrily, as she sauntered away, purposely hypnotizing him with the sway of her hips. Anakin grinned about things that were to come that night. It would most certainly be a night to remember...
In the next chapter, the mystery deepens, as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan visit Kamino. Meanwhile, Anakin and Padme share an evening filled with romance and passion...