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Chapter 7
Jedi Master Mace Windu checked the corridor both ways to make sure no one was approaching Master Yoda's apartment before slipping into the room and moving to the meditation dais next to Yoda's. The call had been beamed into the Jedi Temple using scramble code 5 and in care of "the old folks home", which told Mace and Yoda that it was very important.
The Korun Jedi Master watched as the hologram of Obi-Wan appeared before them. He was quite calm although he occasionally glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was behind him. "Masters," he began, "I've successfully made contact with Lama Su, the Prime Minister of Kamino."
"Ah, good it is that your planet you have found," Yoda said. "Find it how did you?"
"I merely went to the spot Dexter told me about and there it was. I was really just following a hunch and it turned out I was right," Obi-Wan replied. "I've also discovered that these Kaminoens are cloners—best in the galaxy I've been told, and from what I've seen, I don't doubt the claims."
Both Jedi Masters frowned.
"They are using a bounty hunter named Jango Fett to create a clone army for the Republic," Obi-Wan said.
Mace and Yoda exchanged surprised glances.
"What's more, I have a strong feeling that this bounty hunter is behind the plot to assassinate Senator Amidala," Obi-Wan added.
"Do you think these cloners are involved in that, as well?"
"No, Master."
Yoda's lips pressed into a thin line. "So sure are you?" he asked.
"Yes Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said calmly. "The real villain behind this plot hasn't been revealed yet."
"Assume you should not."
"I know, Master Yoda, but the Force is telling me that I have not yet discovered who is behind the plot."
Yoda's lips pressed together again. "More to tell us you do, yes?"
"Yes Master. Prime Minister Lama Su has informed me that the first battalion of clone troopers are ready for delivery. He also wanted me to remind you that if we required more—and they've another million well on the way to completion—it will take more time to grow them."
"A million clone warriors?" Mace echoed disbelief in his voice.
"Yes Master. They say Master Sifo-Dyas placed the order for the clone army ten years ago. Did the Council ever authorize the creation of a clone army?"
"No," Mace said without hesitation and without looking at Yoda for confirmation. "Whoever placed that order did not have the authorization of the Jedi Council."
Obi-Wan nodded as if he had guessed as much. "This mystery is getting more mysterious with each passing thing I learn," he admitted.
"Indeed," Mace agreed. "And it is one that needs unraveling, for more reasons than the safety of Senator Amidala."
"I will admit though, Master, that the clones are rather impressive. They have been created and trained for one purpose alone."
Yoda was silent for a moment. "Into custody, take this Jango Fett. Bring him here. Question him, we will."
Obi-Wan nodded although Mace noticed a faint grimace on his face. "Yes Master. I will report back when I have him." He briefly glanced over his shoulder and instructed R4 to cut the transmission leaving Mace and Yoda alone with their thoughts.
Obi-Wan didn't bother on heading toward Jango Fett's apartment. He already knew of where the bounty hunter was going and he was determined to get there before they left. He could only hope that he will be able to capture Fett now rather than chase him across the galaxy to Geonosis. He doubted he could stop the Battle of Geonosis but, at least, the Jedi Council may be able to get more answers out of Fett.
He hurried onto the landing pad just in time to see Jango and Boba standing on the boarding ramp. He had gotten there early so the ship wasn't even off the ground yet. Obi-Wan's lightsaber came into his hand and he ignited the brilliant blue blade as Jango, warned by Boba, whirled around and began firing at him.
Obi-Wan fell into Soresu almost instinctively and deflected the blaster bolts back at the bounty hunter forcing him to activate his jetpack and get out of the way. He ordered Boba into the ship before firing again at Obi-Wan who dodged instinctively as he remembered what happened last time. His memory of the actual battle was sketchy at best but he knew that if he didn't get caught in that thin wire Jango used then he might have a chance of catching him.
"You're coming with me, Jango," he called flipping backwards to avoid the blaster bolt and deflecting one of them aside. Jango was good though; he kept firing in rapid succession, alternating the pattern occasionally.
The last bolt, however, Obi-Wan was prepared for. When he sent the explosive pack flying at Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan lashed out with the Force and sent it flying back at Jango. Jango quickly flew out of the way and the explosive path exploded near the boarding ramp of the ship.
Obi-Wan continued to block the blaster bolts with ease but it wasn't long before Boba joined in the fight. Obi-Wan was expecting this and immediately dived into a roll to avoid the blaster fire before rolling to his feet and deflecting another bolt back at Jango.
"You've got a lot to answer," Obi-Wan called to Jango although he was unsure if Jango heard him through the thunderous downpour and lashing wind. "It'll go easier on you, and on your son, if—"
He did a double somersault to avoid the blaster fire from Slave 1 and, when the ship went quiet, immediately charged at Jango Fett. He flipped over the bounty hunter and spun around to snap-kick the weapon from Jango's hand. Jango continued to charge at Obi-Wan but Obi-Wan knew what he was going to do and sidestepped it. He pivoted in a roundhouse kick that slammed into Jango's cheek and sent him flying to the ground.
Jango got to his feet quickly and swung a left hook at Obi-Wan that he easily dodged before snapping out a right one in response. Jango avoided the blow before activating his jetpack and spinning a circle kick out at Obi-wan who ducked to avoid it and leapt up to avoid the second kick before snapping off a kick of his own. When Jango attempted to drive a right cross into Obi-Wan's inner thigh, he leapt up to avoid it before scissor-kicking Jango's feet out from under him. He leapt back to his feet before whirling around as Jango scrambled to his feet.
Obi-Wan, knowing Jango would avoid the looping left hook after a right cross smashed the bounty hunter across the face, Force pushed Jango and sent him flying backwards. He activated his jetpack before flying rapidly at Obi-Wan who leapt up and over Jango before slamming a kick into the jetpack causing Jango to spiral out of control for a moment before he righted himself again and whirled around in midair as Obi-Wan landed in a crouch on the permacrate.
Unfortunately, Jango began firing at him again and Obi-Wan, who had lost his lightsaber sometime during the fight with Jango, rolled out of the way to avoid it. He spotted his lightsaber nearby but, instead of reaching toward it with the Force like last time, he dived toward it. However, Jango fired his blaster at that moment and nearly caught Obi-Wan had he not sensed it coming and dodged out of the way.
Jango went back to firing so rapidly at Obi-Wan, who was taking refuge behind one of the poles, that he knew he would have no choice but to reach out with the Force to get his lightsaber. He stretched out with the Force and his lightsaber shot across the sky toward him only to be sent flying to the ground again when Obi-Wan lost his focus on it as the thin wire shot across the sky before twining around Obi-Wan's wrists.
"Blast, not again," Obi-Wan muttered before Force fastening himself to the ground as Jango attempted to drag him across the permacrate. He held on with the Force as he waited for the wire to tighten and, when it did, he wasn't at all surprised when Jango plunged to the deck; his pack broke away and exploded in a burst of light and a tremendous concussion.
Jango leapt at Obi-Wan at that moment before slamming into him and starting to punch him. Obi-Wan rolled to the side to avoid it but Jango was pushing him dangerously close to the edge of the platform. And, before long, both of them skidded over it.
"Not good," Obi-Wan muttered under his breath.
He and Jango both fought for a foothold on the slick surface although the raging sea that was rising up to meet them seemed to be drawing closer rather rapidly. Jango, at that moment, activated something on his forearm before slamming it onto the platform skirt and he slowly skidded to a halt before he released the locking mechanism of the wire-launching bracelet and it slid free of his arm. He screeched to a halt and Obi-Wan slid past him.
"Catch a rollerfish for me," Jango shouted.
Obi-Wan, the instant he skidded over the lip, grabbed the trailing, loose end of the wire before throwing that end out, looping it over a crossbeam in the platform structure. His descent stopped with a sudden jerk.
"Well, that could have gone better," Obi-Wan muttered swinging to drop lightly onto a small service platform barely above the lashing waves. Breathless, he dashed forward and used the Force to open the door of the service turbolift. When he reached the landing pad, however, the engines of Jango's ship had already started up.
Calling his lightsaber to his hand, Obi-Wan activated the tracking device before tossing it using the Force to make sure it landed on the hull of the ship. Once the ship disappeared from view, Obi-Wan took several long moments to catch his breath. Like last time, when they fought, Obi-Wan couldn't help but respect Jango and his fighting style.
It certainly explains why Tyranus chose him.
Obi-Wan sighed as he gazed at the stormy sky above his head before he turned around and made his way back to his ship replaying the most recent events in his mind while, at the same time, wondering how his apprentice was doing and if Siri succeeded in preventing Anakin's vision from coming true.
Anakin sipped at his tea as he gazed through the window of the lake house; Padmé was sitting across from him looking deep in thought. Anakin continued to gaze out the window as he thought about the night before; once again, no nightmare intruded upon his sleep and he felt well rested. He wasn't entirely sure if the Jedi Council succeeded in preventing his nightmare from coming true but it seems obvious since he was no longer having his nightmares.
"Are you all right?" asked Padmé.
"I'm fine, Senator," replied Anakin.
Padmé didn't look convinced. "Are you sure?" she asked.
Anakin nodded. "My nightmares are still gone," he said.
"So you think the Jedi Council really granted Master Kenobi's request?"
"It's starting to look more likely."
Padmé opened her mouth to respond but, before she could, Anakin's comlink beeped. He glanced at it in surprise before looking at Padmé who also looked surprised and faintly worried. "No one would contact you unless it was important," she said. "Not with the risk that the assassin could track it."
"I think it would be best if we find some other place to answer the call, a place that can't be easily tracked."
"Let's go outside to the Nubian the Queen gave me. That might be the best thing to do."
Anakin stretched out with the Force but the Force wasn't throbbing with warning and the incoming transmission didn't seem dangerous. He knew he should still be careful because he couldn't afford letting the assassin, or whoever hired the assassin, find out Padmé left the capital. It would not only pose danger for her but it would also pose danger for Dormé and Captain Typho on Coruscant.
The two of them walked out of the lake house before making their way to the sleek silver Nubian ship that was resting on a landing pad east of the lake house. With part of the bow overlooking the lake and the forests of Naboo making up the backdrop, it looked like a beautiful painting. Anakin marveled at it as he followed Padmé up the boarding ramp before his eyes immediately began examining the interior of the ship taking note of the consoles that showed him the status and type of the main engines, the stabilizers and the hyperdrive.
Quickly pulling himself from his thoughts of tinkering as he used to usually think about when he was younger, Anakin followed Padmé to the cockpit of the ship. Pulling out his still beeping comlink, he connected it to the ship's interface before answering the call. The holographic image of Jedi Knight Siri Tachi appeared before him with her apprentice, Anakin's biggest rival in the Jedi Temple, Ferus Olin standing just behind her.
"Anakin," Siri greeted him. "I know you're supposed to be guarding the Senator but I'm using a secure channel within the Jedi Temple that should prevent anyone from intercepting and tracking this call."
"Good to know," Anakin replied. "What can I do for you, Master Tachi? Is everything all right?"
"Yes, everything's fine, Anakin. I just wanted to contact you because your mother gave me a message that she wanted me to give to you. Since I don't know how long it will be before you return to Coruscant, I decided to tell you know. Of course, my Padawan doesn't share my thoughts on this matter."
Anakin resisted the urge to snort before what Siri said came back to him and his eyes widened. "My mother?" he repeated.
"Yes Anakin," Siri said. "Ferus and I went to Tatooine to check on your mother at the behest of the Jedi Council. We found her unconscious in the clutches of Tusken Raiders but we managed to not only drive off the Tusken Raiders but also see to your mother's wound and return her to her family."
"Family?" echoed Anakin.
"Yes. Your mother was freed from slavery a couple of years ago, Anakin. She is now married to Cliegg Lars and has a stepson named Owen."
Anakin had to fight to keep the tears from appearing in his eyes but they still did. His mother was freed. She was finally freed. But the Tusken Raiders... "The Tusken Raiders? That means my dream came true?" he asked.
"I don't know the full extent of your vision of your mother, Anakin," Siri said. "I only know what the Council told me. But when we saw her unconscious in the clutches of Tusken Raiders, we figured that was what you saw. I could be wrong though but, considering the way Cliegg acted when we were leaving, I don't think he's going to let your mother out of his sights again. Have you been having any more nightmares about your mother?"
Anakin shook his head. "They went away a while ago," he said.
"About when?"
Anakin frowned not sure what that had to do with anything. "About one or two days after we reached Naboo, why?"
"Because if I am right about the days then that is around the time we returned your mother to the Lars family on Tatooine."
Anakin found that he couldn't thank Obi-Wan enough for what he did; he, when he didn't have to, went before the council and requested that they send someone to check on his mother. It was because of Obi-Wan that his mother was safe and he was no longer plagued with nightmares of his mother being in pain and in danger.
"Your mother also told me to give you a message," Siri added.
"A message?" Anakin echoed.
"Yes. She told me to tell you that she loves you, she wishes the best for you and she hopes that you become the greatest Jedi Knight you can possibly be."
This time, Anakin couldn't stop the tears that fell from his eyes. He raised a hand before gingerly wiping them away but they continued to fall. He didn't know what to say; he couldn't say anything as he thought about his loving, gentle mother who was safe, sound and free from the bonds of slavery.
Anakin sat down; it was too much to take in and for a long moment, he just kept his face buried in his hands as tears continued to gush out of his eyes as rapidly as a waterfall. Siri watched while Padmé knelt beside the chair and gently put an arm around his shoulders comfortingly as he attempted to control his emotions.
Finally, after what felt like hours but, in reality, was only a few minutes, Anakin managed to get control of his emotions. He rubbed the tears out of his eyes before slowly looking to find Siri still watching him. "I'm sorry," he said before he smiled faintly and added, "Master Obi-Wan has always said I need to work on my control over my emotions." He wiped the stray tears from his eyes before adding, "Thank you, Siri, and thank the Jedi Council for me if you ever get the chance." It was the only thing he could think of saying since he had no words to describe how greatly he appreciated Siri, the Jedi Council and Master Obi-Wan at that moment.
Siri nodded. "If I get the chance, I will give them the message. We'd best get going." Her hologram flickered before it disappeared and Anakin sank back into the co-pilot's chair of the Nubian starship. He still found it hard to believe that the Jedi Council actually went through with Obi-Wan's request; then again he still found it unbelievable that his master actually brought the request up before the Council to begin with. However, he found his thoughts drifting to his mother; his mother was safe and sound and it was because of the council and Obi-Wan.
Like Anakin thought earlier, there was nothing he could do to repay Obi-Wan for what his Jedi Master did for him.
"Come on, Anakin," Padmé said gently keeping her arms around Anakin's shoulders before she guided him out of the starship and into the house.
Obi-Wan sighed as the asteroid he was parked on rotated around and around while he waited for Jango Fett's ship to be out of range to avoid detecting that he had managed to escape the torpedo he had launched at him. Like last time, he had just ejected the spare parts from within the starfighter. When torpedo exploded, he latched on to the nearest asteroid, the same one he had chosen last time, and Fett's ship was unable to detect him, like last time.
Obi-Wan shook his head as he remembered the short space battle he had been in with Jango; it occurred pretty much like last time although Obi-Wan was able to avoid a lot of what Jango tossed at him only because he briefly remembered it occurring last time. However, the torpedo was something that Obi-Wan wasn't able to avoid.
"Blast, this is why I still hate flying," he muttered.
Arfour beeped in agreement before beeping a questioning tone most likely because Obi-Wan had used the word 'still'. Obi-Wan didn't acknowledge the questioning tone as he examined the red planet of Geonosis appeared before them.
"Is their last trajectory logged?" he asked.
Arfour beeped once in response.
"Let's get going. I'm positive we've waited long enough," said Obi-Wan before he detached from the asteroid and began following the path Fett's ship had taken. Like before, it led straight to Geonosis and, like before, he could see, as he adjusted his scan screen accordingly, the huge Trade Federation fleet settled on the other side of the asteroid belt.
"Wonderful," he said sarcastically as he guided his ship toward the planet keeping the asteroid belt between him and the fleet without a second thought. As soon as he broke Geonosis' atmosphere, he ducked below any tracking systems that might be in place, skimmed the red plains and broken stones and weaved around the buttes and mesas.
"Seems nothing's changed here," Obi-Wan said aloud. "It's still a planet covered by a barren and arid red plain. Not that I expected that to have changed but it isn't scarred like it was when I last saw it."
Arfour beeped in concern.
"No, I'm fine Arfour. Just reminiscing," said Obi-Wan. I really have to stop doing that, he thought. He climbed one mesa before flying low to its far end. He landed the ship under a rocky overhang, put her down, cut power to the engines and climbed out before walking to the mesa edge.
"I'll be back, Arfour," he said to the little red astromech droid.
Arfour beeped in concern.
Obi-Wan smiled faintly even though he couldn't understand binary like Anakin could. "You'll be fine and I shouldn't be long," he said. He immediately moved off along the rocky trail he had walked last time heading in the direction he remembered from last time.
He continued to move down the narrow, steep trail. He was also examining the area, ready for the lizardlike creature that had attacked him last time. When he heard the shriek, he stopped, ignited his lightsaber and moved cautiously down and around a bend in the rocky path. When the creature attacked, he merely dived down to the side and sliced open the creature's side from foreleg to hind. Like last time, the creature lost its' balance and fell off the trail plummeting hundreds of meters to the ground.
Obi-Wan turned around waiting for the next four creatures to attack. As he was prepared for everything these creatures would toss at him, considering it was something he vividly remembered from the last time he was here, he was able to finish off the next four creatures swiftly.
"Still a fun place," he said shaking his head with a sigh as he deactivated his lightsaber and clipped it back to his belt. "Although I really could have done without creatures trying to make me their dinner again."
He moved on until he rounded the corner of the mesa. A great plain spread out wide before him with many tall shapes in the far distance, indistinguishable in the darkness although Obi-Wan had a pretty good idea what they were; Trade Federation starships. Since he already knew that, he kept on moving, leaping straight down to the plain below. It was much easier than walking around the mesa.
It was still dark when Obi-Wan reached the grandest tower of the complex in the exact same place he had visited before. He remembered the majority of his journey to Geonosis, including how he entered the tower. With that being said, in no time at all, Obi-Wan was in the tower, slipping from shadow to shadow before he ducked behind a wind curtain when he heard the approach of beings; it was long before the reddish Geonosians with their leathery wings, slender frames, bony shoulders, large and elongated heads and thick-lidded, bulbous eyes.
"Too many sentients," one said.
"It is not your place to question Archduke Poggle the Lesser," the second one scowled.
Once they were passed him, he immediately jogged in the opposite direction. Still using the shadows to hide him, he made his way along a narrow corridor lined with pillars. Last time, he had compared that place with Tipoca City but, this time, he merely focused on getting to the open vent and the factory. He bypassed the factory, not worrying about the droids since he already knew where they were going, and immediately made his way to the vast underground chamber with its huge vaulted ceilings and rough-styled arches.
When he reached the area where he had stopped last time, he dropped onto his stomach before watching as two Geonosians, one of them being Poggle the Lesser, Viceroy Nute Gunrary, Count Dooku and two others walk past them.
"Now we must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty," Count Dooku said; he was a tall, regal, silver haired man who wore a black cape clipped at the neck by a silver chain and a black shirt and pants of the finest material.
"What about the Senator from Naboo?" Gunray demanded. "Is she dead yet? I'm not signing your treaty until I have her head on my desk."
Like last time. I wonder how it was that I didn't suspect Gunray last time, Obi-Wan wondered silently.
"I am a man of my word, Viceroy," a Separatist said.
"With these new battle droids we've built for you, Viceroy, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy," said Poggle the Lesser.
Obi-Wan, once he was sure they were well ahead of him, rushed out, crept up the steps and slipped into the narrow archway overlooking a smaller room that he had used to spy on them last time. Obi-Wan could see the six companions meet up with several others including Senator Po Nudo of Ando, Toonebuck Toora of Sy Myrth, and the Quarren Seantor Tessek.
"You've met Shu Mai," Dooku said seated at the head of the table. "Representing the Commerce Guild." Obi-wan examined Shu Mai; she had a delicate, gray, wrinkled head, a long neck, pointy horizontal ears and a hairstyle that looked much like a skin-covered horn protruding out the back of her skull, rising up and curving forward.
"And this is San Hill, distinguished member of the InterGalactic Banking clan." San Hill was a creature with a long, narrow face.
Those gathered about the table murmured their greetings, nodded to each other, for many moments, and then they went silent, all eyes settling Dooku.
"As I explained to you earlier, I'm quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause with your support," Dooku said. "And let me remind you of our absolute commitment to capitalism…to the lower taxes, the reduced tariffs, and the eventual abolition of all trade barriers. Signing this treaty will bring you profits beyond your wildest imagination. What we are proposing is complete free trade." He looked to Nute Gunray, who nodded.
"Our friends in the Trade Federation have pledged their support," Dooku went on. "When their battle droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than anything in the galaxy. The Republic will be overwhelmed."
So you think, Obi-Wan thought thinking about the clone army he had come into contact with on Kamino.
"If I may, Count," said another person, one of the ones who trailed Dooku into the room. He was nervous but he offered a slight bow to Dooku. "I am authorized by the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty."
"We are most grateful for your cooperation, Magistrate," Dooku replied.
Shu Mai began speaking now, "The Commerce Guild at this time does not wish to become openly involved," she said. "But we shall support you in secret, and look forward to doing business with you."
Several people chuckled but Dooku only smiled. "That is all we ask," he assured Shu Mai.
"The InterGalactic Banking Clan will support you wholeheartedly, Count Dooku," San Hill declared. "But only in a nonexclusive arrangement."
Obi-Wan heard enough; since he had to listen to what they said because his memory of this conversation was sketchy at best, he was still trying to figure out how it was that he remembered almost every single thing he said to Jango last time, he stayed. However, now that he had relearned everything he learned last time, he knew it was time he returned to his ship.
Like last time, he would have to warn the Jedi Council...
...Through contacting Anakin on Naboo.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was chapter 7
Darth: your longest chapter yet
Blaze: yup
Anakin: so what's gonna happen in the next chapter?
Blaze: Anakin will receive Obi-Wan's message, Obi-Wan will get captured, Obi-Wan's talk with Dooku and Anakin and Padmé will journey to Geonosis
Darth: really?
Blaze: yup
Obi-Wan: ah great. I thought for sure I could avoid being captured this time!
Blaze: (shrugs) please review and I will post chapter 8 as soon as I finish it.