Well here is chapter seven of this story. To all of you reading out there I'd like to thank you. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. As always I would like to think what you think of the story.
LD: Star Wars does not belong to me.
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Anakin and Kiara ran through the streets and alleys of the capital. The situation was worse than both of them had imagined, for in every main street of the central sector of the city security forces battled Rebel Groups for the control of the Capital, which was also a good explanation as of why no reinforcements had come to help defend the HQ, on some of them there were even corpses of civillians that had been caught in the cross fire before they could reach a safe place.
On the other side, Anakin's full connection with the force had returned as they got away from the HQ and he felt Obi Wan's peril. He looked at Kiara, who had a very sad expression on her face.
"I'm sure he'll be ok" Anakin said trying to reassure his friend.
"He's unconscious now it seems." Kiara replied trying to suppress the sadness in her voice. "He's sent me a message through of Force bond. 'Tell Qui Gon they have a Force Nullifier'"
"A Force Nullifier" Anakin thought to himself. "That explains what was happening with my force connection." He looked at his friend and asked. "Why didn't he contact Qui Gon himself?"
"He was falling unconscious when he sent it perhaps he sent it to me because we were closer to the location" Kiara said.
"I see" Anakin said deep in thought. "We have to rendez vous with Master and Sarah."
"Yeah" Kiara still clearly affected by what happened. Anakin sighed and concentrated on contacting Qui Gon.
'Master' He called. 'Master where are you?'
He waited for a few moments, he hadn't felt anything bad happening to Qui Gon but he was still nervous.
'Anakin' finally sounded his master's voice through their bond. 'We are near the government building we are going to see if the Count is alright. Where are you?'
'I believe we are near the slums but I can't be completely sure.' Anakin replied.
'Alright' Qui Gon said. 'Listen Anakin I need you to hide until I contact you alright?'
'Yes Master. By the way Obi Wan...' He began but Qui Gon interrupted him.
'He isn't one with the Force yet Padawan we'll find a way to help him' his Master said with a reassuring tone.
'I know Master but he spoke of a Force Nullifier. Isn't that an Ancient Sith weapon?' He asked trying to confirm what he had learnt.
'Yes' Qui Gon said and Anakin could feel his master's distress through their bond. 'A very ancient and very dangerous artefact. I don't know how the Bounty Hunter got their hands on something like that.'
'Could it be the Sith behind the attack on Naboo?' Anakin asked. He heard his Master chuckle.
'Very perceptive of you Padawan. But we can't be sure yet.' Qui Gon said. And Anakin knew the bad feeling his master and Obi Wan had had at the beginning of the mission had gotten worse.
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Qui Gon and Sarah were recognized by the guards guarding the government building who let them pass immediately. Despite the rebellion going on throughout the city it seemed the fighting hadn't reached the government building yet and the security forces posted there were preparing to receive the attackers, civillian personnel seemed to have left the building for safer locations. Qui Gon and Sarah ignored the people on the entrance and headed for the turbolifts towards the top floor and were surprised by what they found.
Neither the guards or Dooku's aides were on their usual posts and while the aides were sometimes doing work for the Count around the building or even the city, in fact Qui Gon rarely saw them around his former master, the guards barely left Dooku's side, their absence could only mean that his master wasn't in either. But Qui Gon sure had felt him when they arrived at the building and still felt his feint presence on his office. Pulling his saber out and seeing Sarah do the same he rushed towards the office's entrance.
When they entered no one was present, the office was empty. Sarah looked at Qui Gon who had a puzzled look on his face.
"Where is the Count?" She asked the Jedi Master.
"I..." Qui Gon began but before he could reply an hologram of Count Dooku greeted them. He sat on a seat surely from he is personal ship.
"Master" Qui Gon said. "Where are you?"
"I'm sorry my old Padawan" Dooku replied with a sad look on his face. "I had to leave the capital for security reasons"
"Don't worry Master I understand." Qui Gon said uneasily the force was warning him of something.
"And I'm also sorry old friend, because you've lost." This time the Count's face wasn't sad in fact the tone he was using was smug and arrogant not typical of his Master. Qui Gon had the urge to ask what did he mean by that but the Force told him to run. Looking at the confused expression on the Captain's face he pushed her out of the room before jumping out himself just as the office exploded. Qui Gon used the Force to shield himself and Sarah from the blast.
Once the explosion that had completely destroyed both the Count's office and the adyacent room and would have surely killed them had the force not protected him and Sarah who looked at Qui Gon who had a grave expression on his face as he connected the dots together.
"What the heck was that about ?" She demanded angrily even though she wasn't angry at him but at the situation. Qui Gon ignored her for a moment as he concealed his and her presence in the force and severed his links with it. "Qui Gon" Sarah repeated calmer this time. "What is this all about?"
"The Count has betrayed us." Qui Gon explained. Sarah nodded she had gathered as much.
"But why?" She asked. "Wasn't he supposed to be a former Jedi.
"I believe he's fallen to the Dark side of the Force" Qui Gon said trying to suppress his own anger and sadness.
"So what do we do now?" Sarah asked. "We have to warn Anakin and Sarah about this. And we still have to rescue Obi Wan."
"First" Qui Gon said as he collected his thoughts. We have to get out of here."
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Dooku felt as his former's apprentice presence banished in the force and his victory left a bittersweet after taste. He wondered if this could have been avoided, Qui Gon had been more reasonable than most, perhaps he could've been turned, shown the promises and the potential of the Dark Side. But what was done was done and now it was time to see how the plan was going. Pressing a small bottons on a keyboard an holographic image of Jango Fett appeared before him.
"Tell me Jango how is the search for the two Padawans going?" Dooku asked.
"We have not found them yet Milord." Jango replied calmly. "I plan on using the captured Jedi as bait for them to come to me."
"You are truly pushing your luck" Dooku said darkly.
"I think I'm perfectly capable of handling two Jedi Padawans." Jango replied scoffing..
"I meant with me Bounty Hunter" Dooku clarified. "You promised me results and so far I've been the one to take care of two of your targets. I hope you don't forget that failure is not an option."
"Yes Milord. What should I do when I capture the male Padawan." Jango replied not showing any fear even sounding a little defiant.
"Bring him to my palace. And bring the girl too, I may have some use for her." Dooku ordered.
"And what of the knight?" Jango asked almost unnecessarily.
"Kill him when you are done" Dooku said cutting the transmission.
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Well that was fun to write and I hope it was at least entertaining to read. Next chapter, chapter 8 will be posted on Friday.
