Author's Note:My apologies on how long it is between updates for this fic, but I keep having to go back and check my personal canon to ensure it doesn't conflict. Even then I'm sure there will be mistakes. Bear with me; my outline [what passes as one] is done and I know where the story needs to go to get there.

I hope to throw the odd twist and turn at you as well.

Now most of you know I finished a novel last year; the second part of the trilogy is behind and I absolutely -must- finish it sooner rather than later so don't expect rushed chapters for the sake of chapters. I'm gonna do this right.

Chapter 3

Checking his coordinates a third time as the Jedi starfighters passed through the empty space where the shuttle carrying the trio of captives would emerge anytime in the next few minutes, Anakin keyed his comlink. "Are you getting anything on your sensors, Obi-Wan?"

"Negative," was the immediate response. "All clear. Are you certain you read the shuttle information correctly?"

"Yes, Master," he rolled his eyes even though Obi-Wan couldn't see him, running back across his sensor readings. "It should be anytime now. How do you want to play this when they arrive?"

"I thought you were the one with the plan."

"When have you known me to plan anything, Master?"

"Orchestrating your absence after you were knighted, perhaps?"

Anakin winced. Trust Obi-Wan to bring that up now; especially when he was feeling an inexplicable sense of urgency - a sense of foreboding - about this whole endeavor. He hadn't, to his dismay, been able to reach Barriss through any means. "I had an idea as to the resistance I'd be facing," he told his old Master frankly. "It required ingenuity."

"And apparently forethought," Obi-Wan returned dryly. "You never cease to amaze me, Anakin. You have a very keen mind and yet you persist in using it for stunts such as that. If you'd just-"

"Contact!"

Breaking into what was turning into one of Obi-Wan's amused-scolding monologues, Anakin was grateful for the sensor contact that suddenly appeared on his board as the shuttle they'd been awaiting dropped out of hyperspace. His eyes flickered to the registry number on the shuttle and his lips tightened.

"That's it, Master," he told Obi-Wan over the closed short range channel they were using to avoid detection. "But what-"

"A second ship's incoming."

Barely had Obi-Wan spoken the words than the Malevolence, Grievous' flag ship, dropped out of hyperspace almost on top of the shuttle. The shuttle was immediately caught in a tractor beam and hauled towards the Malevolence - which was broadcasting a friendly identifier.

"So that's why they boarded the Redeemer before they destroyed it," Obi-Wan commented tightly, for, sure enough, the Malevolence had suddenly stopped broadcasting its own identifier and was now reading on their scopes as the ship they'd lost to this very monstrosity less than a week ago - the Republic battle cruiser, Redeemer.

"That should make things easier," Anakin protested, already pushing his fighter into a tight turn towards the Malevolence. "We'll be able to get close without them firing a shot."

"Until they switch back once the shuttle's aboard. I thought you said the shuttle would be in possession of current military data."

"It's supposed to be, maybe it hasn't been updated for this past week," Anakin couldn't keep the tension from his voice. "Whatever the reason, we need to dock with the Malevolence now; before they take the shuttle on board and the passive sensors shut themselves off."

"And just what do you propose?"

"Follow me."

"I should know better than to ask."

"Still have that bad feeling, Master?" As Obi-Wan closed in on his wing, and Anakin couldn't resist throwing the older man a half smile. "Because this is where the fun begins."

"Oh yes," Obi-Wan's dry reply made him grin. "Fun."

Without responding, Anakin spurred his fighter into a great leap of speed, using the gravity signature of the nearby planets, stars and sun to his advantage. Weaving through the greatest areas of gravitational flux to keep them hidden as long as possible, he angled his fighter towards the Malevolence, bursting from the gravitational shadow with Obi-Wan hot on his tail to skim bare meters from the side of the Malevolence after a high speed dash.

Letting out a whoop that Obi-Wan couldn't hear as he had flipped off his comm. before speeding towards the Separatist warship, Anakin flipped his fighter around and angled it in towards the belly of the leviathan. Skimming the surface, he spotted his target and braked his speed, checking to ensure Obi-Wan was still with him.

There, behind him, slower but no less accurate, Obi-Wan had grasped his plan.

Aligning the fighter with the maintenance access hatches, Anakin flipped off the power to his ship's engines and let it coast, matching the momentum of the larger ship, the hatch sealing about his cockpit. The droid within the bubble beeped a nervous sounding query.

"Easy, Sevens," he chided the refurbished R7 unit that flew with him. "You'll need to monitor the situation from here; Arfour will give us a hand inside. Once he's free, slave the fighters together just in case, okay?"

The droid toodled, what sounded to Anakin, a relieved affirmative. Reaching up, he used the Force to pull the hatchway down further to complete the seal and popped the canopy. Seeing that Obi-Wan was assisting his astromech, Anakin pushed out of his seat and reached for the maintenance ladder.

They boarded the Malevolence without incident, Anakin reaching down to take the clunky astromech from Obi-an with a grin as the older Jedi Master pushed it through the hatchway. The droid toodled its thanks and Anakin grinned.

"Anytime, buddy. We need a layout of the ship and where the prisoners are going to be kept once they get them off the shuttle. Can you get into the systems without being discovered?"

Arfour bleeped something and trundled a few feet away to plug into the computer mainframe.

"What is it with you and droids?" Obi-Wan wondered peevishly as he climbed free of the service hatch, accepting Anakin's hand before straightening and fussing with his tunic. "Sometimes I think you like them better than sentient beings."

"They take orders well," Anakin returned tongue-in-cheek.

"Separatists talk from a Jedi?"

"For a kid who grew up taking order from everyone else, it's a nice thing not to be challenged." Obi-Wan looked almost comically appalled and Anakin grinned. "Don't worry Master, it's all talk."

"I should hope so; Anakin, I- what are you doing?"

Anakin had turned to join Arfour, pulling up a couple of maps Obi-Wan couldn't recognize before stopping to study the structural integrity of the ship instead of the corridors. "We have a chance to end the war here and now if we can eliminate both Dooku and Grievous."

"That won't be easy."

"No kidding; we didn't exactly come equipped for heavy demolition."

"Then what did you have in mind?"

"Nothing yet; Arfour, have they transferred the information on the captives yet?"

The droid toodled a negative and Anakin frowned, his brow drawing together as he examined the maps.

"What is it, Anakin?"

"Barriss is on that shuttle. I should have felt her by now; been able to sense her more than I do."

"They may be keeping her in a semi-conscious state," Obi-Wan hypothesized, "to control her more effectively."

"Grievous would rather kill Jedi than capture them; I'm not comfortable leaving her there longer than I have to."

"She's not dead yet," Obi-Wan considered the holo for a moment before pointing towards the back of the ship where the command deck spire was located. "I can sense Count Dooku; in this direction. I suspect the good General will bring his captives there. General Grievous knows I will pursue; we shall simply have to see "

"You're getting predictable in your old age, Obi-Wan," Anakin teased dryly. "If he can expect you to do something, shouldn't you do the opposite?"

"To be contrary in this situation would place Barriss, the Chancellor and Senator Naberrie at risk," Obi-Wan reminded him. "Perhaps a different approach is needed but the outcome will be the same."

"A masterful rescue without casualties?"

"On our side, in any rate."

"Exactly." Anakin turned back to the map. "I need a diagram of the passageways between the main hangar bay and the spire, Arfour; as detailed as you can get."

The droid whirred happily and hummed a little as he broke into the security network and called up an internal map of the ship's corridors. The requested cross section zoomed in as Arfour highlighted the corridors Anakin had asked to see in red.

"Now secondaries?"

Those lit in green.

"Tertiaries?"

"Really, Anakin? Don't you think that's overkill?"

"We don't know the ship like we should, Obi-Wan," Anakin chided as the requested information overlapped and he studied the holo. "Aren't you the one who's always saying I should have patience and prepare?"

"And you picked now to listen to me?"

"What can I say; I've always had a sense of timing."

"The bad kind?"

"Funny." Anakin studied the hologram and pointed out a series of cross section hallways that intersected two of the key points. Anakin had chosen their point of entry well and they were several decks below the command center with the hangar bay where the prisoners were likely being dropped off on one side of them, the spire where they were likely to be taken on the other. In the back of his mind, he could feel Barriss' presence growing stronger and stronger. Whatever had been blocking them, was no longer doing so. He examined the map again. "Here. This is where we can likely cause the most confusion. See how there are three passage offshoots?"

"There are only two of us, Anakin."

"If we can get to Barriss, we'll be three."

"When we get to Barriss, she's likely to be in one of those Force dampening fields that Dooku had me in on Geonosis."

Arfour toodled a question.

"So sure about that, Master?"

"They're not about to take chances with a Jedi, Anakin, even if they've disarmed her."

The diagram flickered and died as Arfour let loose a sad sounding wail.

Anakin grinned. "Oh good."

"What's-?"

As Obi-Wan began to speak, the alarms sounded, cutting him off and Anakin met his gaze with a grin, feeling a spike of emotion that came not from himself nor from his Master. It was followed by a sense of elation and purpose, determination arcing through the connection like wild fire to hum through his veins.

"Barriss is free."

Barriss round house kicked one of the droid who'd been left to guard her while Grievous dealt with a very, surprisingly, uncooperative Chancellor.

"The Jedi's escaping; blast her!"

Jumping gracefully as she pulled her legs up and tucked her arms underneath to bring them before her, she lashed out with her fists to connect with the next before throwing her arms wide to intercept a blaster bolt at the last second. The bolt slammed into the cuffs, knocking them from her wrists and leaving her free. Drawing her hands back down, she reached to the Force, and pushed, slamming the energy into the droids and sending them flying backwards to smash into the wall.

"Aft..af..."

The droids attempted to speak or move, their processors shutting down as the physical damage overrode their programming.

With a quick grin, she turned, called on the Force and darted away before reinforcements, or General Grievous, could be called in. Darting down one of the corridors, she skidded to a stop, looking left and right and then, still calling on the Force, jumped straight up into the open air vents.

Feeling Anakin's presence, Barriss opened herself to the connection, using it like a guide to lead her towards him. Backtracking, she found a vent that headed down, into the mechanical workings of the ship below the deck she'd been brought in on. Slowing her pace, she muted the Force connection with Anakin, sending a brief apology his way. If Anakin could sense her, so could Obi-Wan and so could Dooku.

Knowing what was in store for her with the xenophobic Count should she be recaptured, Barriss wasn't willing to risk it. Especially not if he or the shrouded figure were to guess her secret. Her life, if not already forfeit, would immediately become so and Anakin... Anakin would no doubt do as they expected and, in doing so, fall neatly into their trap.

She couldn't let that happen.

Removing maintenance hatch, Barriss moved into one of the major conduits, keeping her steps careful and silent. Thus far no sign of pursuit; but it wouldn't last long. Mentally comparing the conduit with what she knew the layout above to be, she wasn't encouraged. How was she supposed to find Anakin and Obi-Wan without knowing where she was going?

The general direction she'd pulled from Anakin's Force signature directed her onwards and, while she knew he wouldn't sit idle as she came to find him, she hoped he'd have enough sense to realize she didn't have access to ship's schematics as he undoubtedly did. Mentally bracing herself, she took a deep breath, felt her stomach heave with the combination of oils and greases and organic material that helped keep the ship running, pushed it away, and forged ahead.

"Anakin, are you sure about this?"

"Where else would she go, Master? Through the main corridors and hope not to be spotted?" Anakin placed he maintenance hatch to the side, stuck his head in and recoiled just as quickly. "Phew. For droids, they have some strange smelling conduits."

"No worse than we sentient beings, I suppose?"

"No, but then, the fuel lines that run through here are pretty much the same as ours. Don't ignite your lightsaber if you can help it."

"Charming. I don't suppose it occurred to you that we could blow the ship up should we do that?"

"The ship, Barriss, the Senator and the Chancellor," Anakin agreed. "There's a reason fuel lines are in he middle of the ship Master; if they weren't, taking out a ship this size would be a snap."

"In other words there's no way of blowing it up without taking ourselves along with it."

"Exactly. Wait here Arfour - and stay out of sight."

The droid toodled an affirmative as Anakin disappeared inside, not waiting to see if his mentor would follow, and focused instead on the connection between he and Barriss. He couldn't sense her, not the way his Master had tried, but he had an advantage. Even muted, she drew him. Turning confidently to the left, Anakin removed another hatch, crawled upwards and then took another service corridor.

"I'm getting too old for this."

"Crawling through conduits?"

"Crawling on my hands and knees," Obi-Wan returned. "It's undignified for a Jedi."

Anakin laughed. "It's a good look for you, Obi-Wan; you'll make some woman a fantastic slave some day."

"And who says I haven't already?" Obi-Wan straightened as they came to the next juncture as Anakin gaped at him and his response. "Do close your mouth, Anakin, you look like you're trying to catch bugs."

"Wrong planet."

"Ah; you've recovered. Which way?"

Leading the way, Anakin grasped the next set of ladder rungs and resumed climbing. "You've been a slave to a woman, Master?"

Obi-Wan chuckled. "When you're partners with one for an extended period of time, Anakin, slavery is just what it feels like."

"You've never-"

"Ah ah, never say never, Anakin," teased Obi-Wan. "There are many adventures in my youth you have no knowledge of."

"Right; Master Kenobi as a slave? You're far too fastidious."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "I was bodyguard to the Duchess of Mandalore at one point; it came close enough."

"She didn't fall for the famous Kenobi charm?" Anakin's tease was light. "I'm shocked."

"She's a very strong minded woman; you'd like her. Remind me to introduce you to her someday."

Anakin crawled through the next access hatch and onto another ladder, waiting for Obi-Wan to catch up. "Perhaps you shouldn't. I'm not a big fan of slavers."

"She's a pacifist, Anakin," Obi-Wan returned with good humor, crawling over the lip behind him and into the next juncture. "Besides, there were other perks to being alone with her and on the run for so long."

"Like with Master Luminara."

There was a heartbeat of silence behind him.

"Is Barriss close by?"

Anakin let the topic change without comment. Obi-Wan had never really healed from Luminara's sacrifice as he'd never been able to consciously acknowledge what the other Jedi had meant to him, and Anakin knew better than to push. "Not much further, I don't think. It's not an exact science; more like... echo location."

"Like those mammals on Kamino?"

"Exactly," Anakin flashed his old Master a grin over his shoulder. "Unlike you-"

"Unlike you, I know the value of stealth," cut in a wry, dry comment from a side conduit as he passed and Barriss stuck her head and shoulders out look at them both. "It's a good thing the droids aren't checking these lines; you'd both have been captured a long time ago."

"Barriss!"

She stayed where she was as Anakin reached for her, reaching back to grasp his hand briefly before releasing it with a nod. The pressure of her grip on his mechanical hand was hard; relieved. "Anakin; Obi-Wan."

"It is good to see you unharmed, Master Offee," Obi-Wan commented with a half smile. "I trust you're no worse for wear after experiencing the good General's company?"

"No, Master Kenobi," she returned just as formally. "However I have an idea or two as to whom they're after and why. Shall we find a place to talk?"

"Outside of the fuel line, I hope?"

"Of course, Master," Anakin assured him. "Next junction has an access way back into the maintenance corridor."

"How do you know that?"

He flashed Barriss a wink. "I took a good look at the schematic Arfour got us. Come on."

The trio of Jedi climbed, Anakin then Obi-Wan with Barriss following as they made their way upwards. They crossed into the next junction before Anakin opened a side hatch and was able to climb out. He assisted Obi-Wan and then Barriss, drawing the female Jedi into a tight hug.

"I was worried about you."

"I'm fine, Anakin," she assured him, glancing at Obi-Wan to find he'd politely turned his back to give them a moment. She wrapped her arms tightly about Anakin's shoulders and squeezed as he buried his face in the side of her neck.

"When Obi-Wan told me Grievous had taken you..."

She smiled, pulling away. "I'm sure you cracked a joke or two."

"He'd been into the base mix for the food used in the cafeteria."

"Hero with No Fear buns?" her eyes sparkled as she caught the implication. "Or perhaps a way to make yourself go further, Anakin?"

He groaned as Obi-Wan laughed, Barriss stepping out of Anakin's arms and settling her robes about her once more.

"Your sense of the ridiculousness, Master Offee, never ceases to amaze me."

She smiled the barest ghosts of a smile. "Well, Master Kenobi, it would never do for his ego to run away with him now that everyone in the Senate building's had a piece of him to taste and savor, would it?"

"Barriss!"

Obi-Wan choked, struggling not to laugh - no doubt - by the horrified expression on Anakin's face. She reached over to pat his arm. "I believe you were about to mention the best way to the spire?"

He shot her a look which promised retribution but took the hint. "If we know for sure that's where they're taking the Chancellor and the Senator, then the easiest way is back through the mess of service corridors that way," he pointed to the left even as he took out a holo display. Activating a narrow bandwidth comm., he got in touch with Arfour. "Arfour, can you pinpoint our location?"

The map shifted and changed, a flashing red dot appearing.

"Sometimes," Obi-Wan told Anakin dryly. "I think my droid likes you better than me."

"All you had to do was give him an oilbath-"

"Boys."

"Sorry."

"My apologies."

Barriss studied the hologram. "Can you have Arfour illuminate the brig, Ana - oh, thank you Arfour."

The comm. on Anakin's wrist chirped in acknowledgement even as she frowned.

"What is it?"

"I woke briefly aboard the shuttle to see Grievous speaking with Count Dooku and someone they each deferred to via holo comm. They said they were going to take the Chancellor here," she pointed to the spire, "and the Senator here." She pointed then to the brig - which was almost in completely the opposite direction.

By some random chance, they've moved, but were almost directly halfway between the two points but closer to the spire.

"And where were they taking you?"

"They hoped to lure Anakin to the spire with my presence and the Chancellor and then make him cooperate," her tone was grim. "I don't know what they want you to do, Anakin, but it doesn't sound like anything good."

"How so?"

"They want your cooperation for something; but I don't know what. They didn't say."

"Hmm," Obi-Wan stroked his beard as he examined the holo. "With both Grievous and Dooku in the spire, I would like to suggest that Anakin and I go-"

"Master-"

Obi-Wan held up his hand to forestall the immediate objection. "However I have seen and felt the strength of the Force between you when you pull on each other for support both in and out of combat. Anakin and I may work well in tandem from practice, but there are minute pauses the Count and Grievous will be able to capitalize on. The two of you work without those; I will retrieve the Senator and meet you in this," he pointed to the map, "docking bay. We'll commandeer a shuttle and ensure we've a way off this ship."

"And our fighters?"

"I was hoping you'd have an idea."

Anakin paused and then grinned. "Sevens slaved them together. If the shuttle is big enough, we should be able to fit them both underneath with the docking clamps and when we jump to hyperspace, they'll come with us."

"Excellent. If that's settled?"

"I don't have a lightsaber," Barriss interjected before they finished. "Grievous confiscated it to add it to his collection."

"We'll get it back," Anakin assured her. "If both Grievous and Dooku are in that spire, we'll find you a blade even if I have to chop one of his metallic hands off to get it."

"Good. Be careful you two; this isn't going to be easy."

"Is anything worth doing?" Anakin flashed his old Master a grin. "Just secure that shuttle Obi-Wan; we'll find you. Give us... thirty minutes?"

Obi-Wan marked his chrono. "Don't be late Anakin."

"I'm not always late."

"Just most of the time," Barriss teased. "We should go."

"I've-"

"If you're going to say you've got a bad feeling about this, Master, I'm going to wallop you in practice next time we hit the mats."

Acknowledging the hit with a faint smile, Obi-Wan checked the diagram once more and then nodded, turning to go. "May the Force be with you both."

"And you Master Kenobi," Barriss replied formally as Anakin turned to leave them behind. She lowered her voice, sensing Obi-Wan's concern. "Don't worry; I'll keep an eye on him."

"See that you do."

She flashed him a smile and turned to follow, Obi-Wan turning in the opposite direction towards the brig; the operation to rescue the Chancellor and Senator had begun.