I have to make a huge shout out and thank you to Beloved Daughter for her amazing reviews. I was deeply touched that anyone cared that much about this little story, so thank you so much for the feedback, Beloved Daughter, it was insightful and just plain fun to read them all.
Also, a thank you to Valairy Scot for her kind comments.
His mission had seemed to be a simple one: head into the senate building and get the message to Kenobi that he wasn't alone and his rescue was imminent. He felt proud that he had been chosen for such a mission, it had been a long time since he had been within the senate building and his recall of the internal structure had served him well so far. The only problem was that Kenobi himself had managed to mess things up. According to internal security coverage, he had managed to fly out of Senator Bail Organa's broken window and subsequently disappeared! How was R2 supposed to get his message delivered now? At least there was no footage of a Kenobi sized splat of meat on the dura-crete below the window, or anywhere in the vicinity for that matter, so the man was around somewhere, it was up to R2 to find out what had truly happened.
R2-D2, hero to many droids throughout the republic due to his involvement in the end of the Naboo blockade oh so many years ago, trundled through the halls towards the closed off offices of the Alderanian delegation. His wheels glided over the deep red colored carpet, but his new plating still rattled. He had been re-plated with a rather garish yellow and black covering that really didn't fit his barrel frame as well as his stylish blue and white covers did, but it did allow him to slip around the building without any one recognizing him. This disguise was meant to make him look like the newer R3 models that had pretty much replaced his fellow R2 units, but his rise to fame after the Battle of Naboo had meant that he was far too useful to be replaced; just upgraded and cleaned professionally every year with the best oil bath money could buy! He was sure he'd need one of those after this mission was done and placed the appropriate order request within his memory banks to be retrieved at the appropriate time.
His focus quickly returned to his intended target as the corridor swept past him on his journey through the senate building. He had good memories of the former Nubian Captain. Kenobi, as Latterie, had always kept R2 included within the security detail of Senator Amidala, and the upgraded protocols that Kenobi had insisted he get installed had saved them on many occasions, not least of which had been the escape from Geonosis so recently done. As he thought on his quarry, he was reminded of the fire fight in Theed due to the separatist terrorist attack that had left Latterie temporarily blinded after a charge bomb had gone off in front of him and it had been R2 that guided the captain to safety where Latterie had recovered enough to co-ordinate the counter attack that saw the plot dissolve and the culprits brought to justice. Immediately after that, Kenobi had made it quite clear to everyone that the R2 unit was not to be considered owned by anyone, he was a colleague and collaborator within the group and this gave the unit a sense of pride in his work, allowing him to rise to any occasion. When Amidala had approached him with her request of him, he had practically jumped at the chance to help the man who had accepted the little droid as one of his team. However, things were not going completely to plan.
"Hey!" called out a Republic guard as R2 raced past him to his destination at the Alderan delegation offices, "Hey, tech-droid! Stop!"
R2 froze as he heard the guard approach and he turned round slowly, his squeaks attempting to convey confidence.
"It's over here, this is the office with the systems failure," and he pointed his rifle to the office immediately adjacent to Senator Organa's. R2 turned back to Bail's office and jiggled, trying to indicate that's where he needed to be, but the republic guard just placed his rifle in front of the droid. "Come on, we haven't got all day, fix it so I can get back to duty."
R2 grumbled a series of beeps but complied and headed for the office, the guard now in tow. It was deserted except for the terminal station in front of the offices bay window, probably emptied after the residents planet government departed from the republic, a common occurrence throughout the senate building of late. In their haste to leave, they must have left the terminal running and it was obviously suffering from the lack of maintenance from its original owner's absence. The guard stood next to the desk as R2 huffed to himself and began his work.
The computer itself was friendly enough to talk to but evasive over the problems it was having. After convincing the machines software that he wasn't a republic security droid in disguise, the terminal had quickly helped him diagnose the problem. Its external frequency monitoring system had sparked after the explosion from the office next door had sent a pulse wave of energy through the listening device the system was hooked up to within the Alderanian delegations offices. This had caused the terminal to be picking up previously undetected signals coming from within the senate building structure that were causing major error alerts across the terminals systems. R2 was unable to locate the source of the strange signal as it was shielded somehow from his efforts, but he was able to block the signal to the terminal and send the terminal software through a reboot that cleared the error messages, much to the relief of the computer. R2 completed his repair with a final sweep through the software, making sure to strip the terminal of the memory of the strange signal but storing the strange signal frequency within his own monitoring software.
He was about to chirrup his intention to leave to the guard behind him, when the data analysis he had been running on the signal flashed a name through his visual circuits to get his attention. That name was Palpatine, and R2 froze in his tracks, his terminal access extension still attached to the terminal port. The terminal itself enquired as to his behavior, to which R2 merely reminded the machine of his intention to remain silent over the listening device. If the terminal could have turned its head and whistled quietly to itself, it would have, and it remained silent from then on, choosing to ignore R2s presence even though he was still connected to its access port. This allowed R2 to gain entry into the senate's internal network.
Pretending to continue to work on the terminal, R2 sifted through the information from the signal. A horrifying realization came to him; the signal was coming from somewhere very close to him and was responding as though the instigator: in this case it seemed to be Palpatine: was still present! He couldn't help a worried series of sounds from flowing through his communications box, but he caught himself before it got too obvious, although he could see the guard shifting impatiently on his chosen spot by the window.
"Come on, rust bucket, how long does it take to fix a terminal?" he called to R2, who made the sound that was effectively him blowing a raspberry at the indignant guard. "Fine," said the guard moving from the window, "I'll wait outside for your lordship to finish, just make it quick."
As he left, R2 could hear him mumbling under his breath about how beneath him this job was, but R2 had other concerns as he tried to work back to the source of the signal through the senate systems available to him through the terminal connection. Now knowing that it was Palpatine that was the instigator, he concentrated his search within the systems of the Chancellor's floor, where the new ruling council of three had established their own offices. With the activity that Kenobi's escape had generated, he noticed that the three had barricaded themselves within those offices, but the old office of Palpatine was relatively unguarded, probably due to the fact that everyone seemed haunted by the former Chancellor's presence. Could that have something to do with the signal itself? R2 himself was not a superstitious droid, but he knew fear and how sound frequencies could really mess with mechanics and biological forms alike. It was possible that the signal was a left over tool of Palpatines from before his demise. That seemed more likely than his original thought that the former chancellor was still alive! Or at least he hoped that was the case, anyway. His innate fascination with investigation and mystery was driving his logical mind to head up there, to the signal source, but that wasn't his primary mission, he had to remind himself, he was there for his man Latterie, even if the man was missing.
He detached his connection to the terminal as the new signal hummed around his circuits. It wouldn't take long for some other droid to notice this interference within the senate building systems; it couldn't be that just one terminal had been affected by either the blast or this frequency. So was it worth investigating further before a less morally programmed unit found out about it? He paused for a moment as he trundled to the suites door.
He twisted his head around the vacant room pondering his options. Was it worth the risk of finding the source of this signal and seeing what kind of information could be gleaned from the former chancellor's offices, especially if, as he suspected, no one had gone there since the events that led to Palpatines death. His window of opportunity was closing, and if he had learned anything about his friend Latterie, it was that the man had an uncanny ability of getting into and out of trouble on a regular basis and something told him this was no exception. In fact, Latterie would be the first to encourage him to follow his developed instincts and investigate, the unit was sure about that. His curiosity got the better of him and he made his way through the automatic doors to the suite. He scooted past the guard and headed for the elevator, his plating rattling more from trepidation than ill fitting now he was off on this new course of action.
Meanwhile, at the source of the signal…
"This is your place!" rang the voice in his head once again as Obi-Wan found himself falling from the couch to the floor. This was the third time his restless sleep had brought him to that dream, those fingers at his throat, those yellow and red eyes so alien in his own face and yet so hauntingly familiar. With his senses no longer inhibited by the drugs they had used on him, Obi-Wan was finding his dreams were becoming more vivid, more powerful as he tried in vain to continue his rest. At least his side didn't throb anymore and he was glad to have the comfort of the forces flow moving around him. But it did little to settle his growing need to leave this office and find a way out to his friends.
What must they think of him now, he thought to himself as he picked himself up off the floor and sat back on the couch, placing his head in his hands to rub away the tiredness that still settled around his eye sockets, a deep aching pain in the whole of the right side of his face. He had failed to keep Palpatine distracted and been unable to aid Anakin and Ryn in their assault, not only that but he had allowed the only other sith in existence to slip through his fingers to wreak havoc on the galaxy once again. He shuddered, feeling the warmth of the force draining from him completely as his dark mood only seemed to intensify in this place.
He looked up from his hands and out of the corner of his eye he saw someone sitting at the desk over to the left of the room. He froze for a moment, uncertain of his options, uncertain if the figure was even real and his eye darted to the chair which was empty as soon as he looked directly at it. He breathed a sigh of relief and sat back into the couch, letting the cushion give him some physical comfort at least. He opened his eye again and once again, though he wasn't looking directly at the chair, he felt certain someone was sitting there, typing away at the terminal. He shuddered as he looked to the chair again and found the seat vacant. What was happening to him now? He hated his mind's eye being taken over like this, his dark dreams threatening his sleep, his dead enemy haunting him even now, the dark cloud of Maul hanging just out of reach. In his frustration he picked up the chair with the force and hurled it across the room with a roar of anger and horror at the power and ease of the throw. He looked down at his outstretched hand that was shaking, causing the chair to vibrate against the wall. He dropped his hand, the chair collapsing into a heap of metal and plastic, still twisting in on itself until his breathing calmed and he could let it go.
That had been unexpected, to say the least! He was usually much better at controlling his anger and he sat back down on the couch to gather his thoughts. He couldn't let this get the better of him, he needed to leave this place even more urgently than before, but he needed a plan. He moved to the desk to take a closer look at the terminal. Perhaps he could access that as easily as he had accessed the antechamber he found himself in.
He sank to his knees to get level with the screen, now the chair was gone, uncomfortable with the sensation of feeling the surprisingly warm air around him, but despite that warmth he could feel his body shivering at the thought of placing himself within Palpatine's shadow. However, he had more pressing issues and looked for a way to turn on the terminal.
There was no security on the terminal, why should there have been. Obi-Wan found it unlikely Palpatine would have bothered with it on something so deeply concealed in his sanctum. The arrogance of the man disgusted Obi-Wan once again and he struck out at the desk, venting his hatred of his dead enemy. He should have suffered so much more for what he put Padme through, that sweet child so betrayed by one so close.
Oh, you mean just how you betrayed her and her entourage, you mean? came his own thoughts to his head as he scanned through the array of menus presented to him. Conveniently forgot about that, didn't you!
Obi-Wan chose to ignore this internal dialogue as he tried to find plans to the senate building that would help him find a way out of the infernal place.
You can't ignore the fact that everyone who puts their faith in you ends up getting kicked in the arse. You almost killed Boba, you let Nawe get twisted apart by that psychotic cyborg, and did you not see the flesh rendered from Dex's body as you waved that blaster at the flaming ship? The clones were right to get your beaten carcass off their ship before you killed them all with your recklessness.
"Quiet," he said out loud, continuing to study the screen as his attention was drawn to a connection to a hospital bed, the occupant of which was very familiar to him.
And, lest we forget, the ultimate betrayal of a padawan to his master. Just how long did it take for Qui-Gonn to suffer before you allowed his assailant to best you? Oh yes, until he died!
"Shut up!" screamed Obi-Wan and the couch flew across the room at his outburst, slamming into the door leading to the official office of the former chancellor. Obi-Wan found himself trembling with his rage boiling through him. "How dare you bring up Master Qui-Gonn! Just shut up!" the couch flew back across the room, cushions and wood splinters showering down around him like a surreal snow storm of debris. "What is wrong with me?"
You're a failure, that's what's wrong with you. You can't even keep a simple emotion like anger from spilling into everything you're doing here. See for yourself. Obi found his fingers dancing over the controls of the terminal and Palpatine's office came full screen. A black and yellow plated R3 unit had just entered and was proceeding to lock the door behind it. They've sent a tin can to investigate your ruckus. You really are that foolish to think no one heard your outbursts against the furniture.
The voice in his head continued to rant about his obvious failings, but Obi-Wan was still examining the droid as it explored the rooms with caution. There was something strangely familiar about that droid, even though he was pretty sure he'd never come across one so badly paneled before. Those colors were completely wrong for that unit.
His head twisted to the left as if he had been slapped across the right side of his face, as the pain in that side suddenly spiked.
I'm not done giving you a piece of our mind, you arrogant little sh-
"R2!" exclaimed Obi-Wan as recognition set in, the voice in his head shoved into a quiet corner as his memories of the little, fearless droid flicked before his eye. "R2-D2, you sly old Mando dog! How the heck did you end up in here?"
It felt like a wave of cleansing force washed through him as he continued to watch his metallic friend pensively examine the empty office, and he leapt for the door that led to the droid. He was about to press through the dented doorway, when the terminal began beeping at him and he was reminded of the vulnerability of another friend now revealed as being in imminent danger.
"Too dangerous to keep him alive with Kenobi loose," came a voice through the decryption program that Obi-Wan had found was constantly running on all communications passing within the senate building. Palpatine had managed to keep amazingly close tabs on every single delegation and this transmission was coming from Ameda himself, an avatar of the (alien) hovering over the translated phrase.
"I agree," more words came through the decryptor as another avatar floated by, this one looking vaguely like one of the faceless blobs that had been hovering around Ameda in the haze that was Obi-Wan's encounter with the council earlier. "The boy is a liability, and our time to act is now while Organa is incapacitated. Send the order."
"It cannot come back to us," came Ameda's next decrypted phrase.
"Understood," was the only response and then the communication seemed to be over as no more words popped up on his screen.
"Nawe," said Obi-Wan softly, as it was obvious that was who they had been speaking about, he was the only person who could verify any of Obi-Wan's story and Bail had indicated his close attention to the boy's safety. It didn't sound good for Bail, either, if they were saying he was incapacitated somehow.
Oh, well done, another ally fallen due to your lack of control, buzzed his inner monologue.
"SHUT UP!" he screamed and using an uncontrolled pull on the force, ripped the door leading to Palpatines office completely off its hinges and across the small room. To say the droid was startled by the sudden creation of the opening in the wall in front of him was a vast understatement. The droids scream echoed around the otherwise empty office. Obi-Wan quickly grabbed at the droid with the force and pulled him into the concealed room, then tossed the door back in its place, his breathing rapid and rasping. Once in the room, R2's scream turned to a whistle of intrigue as he took in the scene and panned to look on his assailant. He jiggled from side to side in his excitement to have found his captain as he watched Kenobi slide down the wall, clasping his head in his hands. Once his initial shock was over, his concern circuits quickly switched on and he lulled his whistles into the tune of questioning concern.
"Just a moment, old fellow.." sighed Kenobi, "..I .. I just need a moment." he looked up from his prone position with a sad smile on his face. "Don't get me wrong, it is good to see you, R2, it's just …" he trailed off as the weariness in his limbs seemed to return, "…just a few moments, …please." And he resumed his bowed head position against the wall
R2 chirruped his understanding and moved to the terminal at the desk, seeing that his presence too close to his captain would merely upset him more. Besides, he had to see how the signal he had followed had been programmed and maintained. Logging in he quickly found a translation suite within the software and began downloading everything he could from the terminal. The intricacy of the programming was circuit board blowing! He found tendrils of programming seeped in to every control system on the planet, mainly for monitoring purposes, but there were key shut off or override protocols for many major systems, including power stations, mass transit stations, medical facilities, even major event venues across the surface of the planet. R2 couldn't help whistling in bewilderment at the complexity of the system. But he couldn't help noticing the gradual degradation that was occurring within the matrices. It would take years for the full effect of the breakdown of this system to take effect, but the damage was already starting, and would eventually result in the shutdown of the planet as the republic hub, R2 was sure of that.
Obi-Wan was brought out of his attempted meditation by the sounds coming from his companion. He rubbed his face, the right side of which feeling like it was burning at this point, and he looked up at the droid. His breathing had been brought under control at least, and he felt able to focus on his predicament once again without his darker emotions overwhelming him.
"So, what did you find, my old friend?" he picked himself up slowly and moved to the terminal to spy over the droid to see what he had been up to. R2 used the translation program to write his findings out in Basic.
"My goodness, R2, this is deeper than I realized!" he scanned through R2s further findings and his hastily thought through patch ups for some of the more crucial systems. "Not bad for an old tin can!" he said complimenting the droid and tapping him on the top of his left leg. R2 chirruped, clearly meaning "It was nothing, really," and continued to put into place a series of stability checks that would trigger over the next month or so within the system programming. It wouldn't help prevent the breakdowns, but it would alert those involved in the systems to check through these added protocols Palpatine had put in place and bring the instability of the programs to the operators' attention. What they then did with that information was up to them, but at least they would be getting a decent amount of forewarning on the subject.
While R2 continued his work at the terminal, Obi-Wan decided it was time for them to get going as Nawe was in imminent danger, and who knew what they would face at the medical facility. He quickly had the twisted form of the door wedged back into the space it had more sleekly occupied before his outburst, but at least it would take a mighty shove to remove it now. He then headed back to the desk.
"How's your patch up work going?" he looked over the droids domed head to see the cascade of data streaming faster than his eye could scan it. "Well, when you 're finished saving the planet from meltdown, we have an old friend to rescue, if that's not too much trouble!"
R2 chirruped his readiness, waiting for his captain to command him once again.
"It shouldn't be too difficult to slip into the medical district, but we're going to need some authentication to be able to get in to grab Nawe. What can you do from here? Do you think you could get him released into our custody?"
It took mere seconds for R2 to bring up the medical facility that was taking care of Nawe. Through the terminal he quickly found the security protocol personality and after a moment or two of convincing the system that he was calling from the Chancellors office, it didn't take long for him to slip in the order for Nawe's release to a Plain Clothes Republic Guard and his dashing black and yellow service droid. He created a unique ten digit security pass that he would then input once they reached the facility as confirmation of what he had informed the security circuits and thanks to Palpatines own security, it was easy to conceal the deception behind the façade of the authority of the senate. Once again R2 was staggered by his own ingenuity as he displayed his plan to Kenobi, who chuckled to himself at the droids obvious pride in his work.
"Great, R2," he said still smiling at his metallic friend, "just don't get cocky!" And with the rudimentary plan set in place, he guided the droid to the chancellors escape craft.