Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU corner to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 10! Thanks for all the great reviews. At this point in the story, Anakin is sixteen.
Force Jumper
Chapter 10: Mysterious Assassin
An entourage of ships exited hyperspace over the giant city planet. Flanking a large Nubian cruiser were three Nubian fighters, escorting the ship that carried a person of importance. Landing clearance was received and the Nabooan entourage landed on the designated platform. From one fighter, a tall, dark skinned man emerged. He removed his helmet, revealing that he bore an eye patch over one eye. The passengers of the other two Nubian fighters climbed out. They were both much smaller in stature and as they removed their helmets, an onlooker that did not know any better might think the two were sisters. The one, only slightly taller than the other, strode toward the man and drew a blaster from her belt. Wavy strands of caramel hair framed her face, while the rest was pinned up in a messy twist. Her auburn eyes darted around the landing platform accusingly.
"Relax, I think all the extra security was for nothing. It seems any would be assassins were deterred by all the precautionary measures we took," Gregor Typho assured her.
"If they were deterred, then it would be first," the woman spoke.
"I think he's right Sabe. I feel silly allowing Corde to pose as my decoy at all now," the other woman urged. Her voice was softer, with less edge in it than her counterpart's. She was only slightly shorter and her hair was a rich, chocolate color and with a pair of matching, soulful eyes.
Sabe sighed and holstered her weapon, before turning to the other woman. She was the woman's bodyguard and best friend, though they really were closer than that even. Sabe was more of an older sister to her, perhaps even more so than her biological older sister.
"Be that as it may, Padme, we still need to get you out of here. And as much as you hate it, there's no way you're not going to have a decoy with all the threats you have against you. As long as I'm running your security, you're going to follow my lead," Sabe said firmly. Padme suppressed the urge to huff in annoyance, as she usually did when Sabe was being what Padme considered overprotective. Padme was silent and began to approach the Senatorial cruiser, as her decoy made her way down the ramp. But an explosion blew her back, knocking her off her feet, as flames engulfed the lowered ramp of the ship.
"Corde…" Sabe cried, as she helped Padme up.
"I'm fine!" Padme snapped, as they ran to their fallen fellow Nabooans.
"Corde…" Padme breathed, anguish in her voice, as she knelt beside her friend.
"Milady…I'm so sorry," Corde whispered, as she quietly passed away.
"We have to go," Sabe urged, steeling herself against the carnage. She was used to such things, but it still bothered her to see her close friend and six other Nabooan officials and Royal guard members dead before her, murdered by some unknown assassin. Padme remained, as a few tears slipped down her cheeks. She didn't want anyone to die for her. How she hated this! If they wanted her, then she would let them have her. No one else would die in her place…
"Senator Amidala…please!" Typho snapped, pleading with her to come. Padme allowed them to lead her away. She would have to address the Senate now and make sure that everyone knew that murdering her people would not go unpunished.
"P…Please…I'll change, I promise!" the cowering slave owner promised. The man's piercing blue eyes glared daggers at the oily character from behind a sleek mask. His visible facial features were obviously youthful, but it did not lessen his ability to strike fear into the hearts of those he pursued. He towered to nearly six feet now and he was well built, his body shredded with sculpted muscle, making it very apparent that he spent much time honing and training his body. His hair was sandy blonde and fell to his shoulders in a thick, shaggy mane. Many would not guess that this young, disguised figure was only a tender age of nineteen.
"Scum like you doesn't change. Until me, no one has held people like you accountable for their actions," he hissed, as he lifted the disgusting coward up by his tunic.
"You abuse and rape young women. You sell them to the highest bidder. You rip children away from their families and auction them off like animals so you can put a few filthy credits in your pocket!" the young man hissed.
"No, you're not sorry, just sorry that someone has decided to make you pay for it," he hissed, as he felt the Force surge through his arm that he held the man with. With Force enhanced strength, he threw the man toward the bar. He crashed into the glass bottles on the shelves. Glass and wood shelves fell to the floor with the man among the destruction in a bloodied mess. Anakin surveyed the bodies that littered the filthy Corellian cantina with little regard, as he went into the backroom. The young slaves cowered in fear and he raised his hands in surrender.
"I'm not going to hurt any of you. I'm here to free you and help you all," he promised, as he took his slave chip scrambling device out of his pocket.
"Order! We will have order!" Mas Amedda yelled over the commotion in the body full of squabbling delegates. Chancellor Palpatine stepped silently to the podium to speak.
"My esteemed colleagues, I have just received some tragic and disturbing news. Senator Amidala of the Naboo system...has been assassinated!" he announced in sadness. Shock and disbelief erupted through the body of delegates. Mas Amedda quieted them again, as the Chancellor continued.
"This grievous blow is especially personal to me," Palpatine explained.
"Before I became Chancellor, I was a Senator, serving Amidala when she was Queen of Naboo. She was a great leader who fought for justice. So beloved was she among her people that she could have been elected Queen for life!" Palpatine said. He chuckled with a mixture of sadness and remembrance.
"But Senator Amidala believed in term limits and fervently in term limits and she believed in democracy. Her death is a great loss to us all. We will mourn her as a relentless champion of freedom...and a dear friend," Palpatine said, as he lowered his head. There was a moment of silence, before the debating began again. Arguments began, shouting the need for an army to stop the killings.
At the entrance to her platform, Padme scowled at their squabbling, as she prepared to reveal that she was, in fact, alive.
"I see Palps still knows how to ham it up in front of a crowd. Only he would use your "death" to try and fool the masses that he's some sort of fatherly type to you. Please…he'd probably be glad if you were dead. It would be one less thorn in his side," Sabe complained.
"Shh…he's not my favorite person either, but it doesn't matter, because I'm not dead so he's not going to garner any sympathy over it," Padme assured her.
"My noble colleagues, I concur with the consensus that, at all costs, we do not want a war!" Padme announced.
"It is with great surprise and joy that the chair recognizes the Senator from Naboo, Padme Amidala," Palpatine announced.
"Less than an hour ago, an assassination attempt was made upon my life. One of my bodyguards and six others were ruthlessly and senselessly murdered. I was the target. I have led the opposition to building an army, but there is someone who will stop at nothing to insure its passage," Amidala announced. Cheers and boos rang through the room and some shook their heads in confusion. Had Amidala just accused someone in the Senate of trying to assassinate her? That really was not what Padme was suggesting at all, for she and Sabe had a hunch that the Trade Federation might have something to do with, since they had just recently allied themselves with the Separatists. Though, they both suspected that there were many in the Senate that were in league with them as well, though they had no proof. She took a deep breath and continued.
"I warn you, if you vote to create this army, war will follow. I have experienced the misery of war firsthand; I do not wish to do so again," she said. More cheers and boos erupted through the chamber.
"Wake up Senators—you must wake up! If we offer the Separatists violence, they can only show us violence in return! Many will lose their lives and all will lose their freedom! This decision could very well destroy the very foundation of our great Republic! I pray you do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. Which is nothing less than a declaration of war! Does anyone want that? I cannot believe they do!" Padme said passionately.
"By precedence of order, my motion to defer the vote must be dealt with first. That is the rule of law!" Orn Free Taa, the Twi'lek Senator of Ryloth stated. Padme glared at him and turned to the Chancellor, who was no help, though he appeared sympathetic to her plight. But she knew better...and so did Sabe.
"In view of the hour and seriousness of this motion, we will take up these matter tomorrow. Until then, the Senate is adjourned," Palpatine announced.
Anakin appeared home in the Temple where he kept his extra weapons and disguise. He removed his mask and his armor, before jumping to the fresher that adjoined to his bedroom the main Temple where he lived with his Masters. He stripped off the rest of his dirty clothes and turned on the water. When the temperature was right, he stepped in and let the water pour over his head in gallons for several minutes. He had freed another batch of women and children today in a rather risky operation on Corellia. After Mia's death, he had hit Corellia hard in her honor. He supposed he was trying to ease his guilt by hitting the slums of her home world since he was unable to locate Han. He likely knew where the boy was. But it was impossible to go after him on Haruun Kal. Quinlan explained that the planet was like a Nexu den for Force Jumpers. Even if he acquired a jump site on the planet, his jump scar would immediately trigger the highly sophisticated sensors that existed all over the planet. The Xal'Kaar took every possible precaution they could to make sure a Force Jumper could never invade their world. They considered their presence in the Force as a disease . Even with all his skills, he'd never make it off the planet alive. He knew he had to wait and this was reinforced by his Masters. He would have to wait until Han was old enough to begin hunting and then he would have to confront him. He would have to fight the boy and try to undo the brainwashing that he was likely receiving via the Xal'Kaar.
"I've failed you Mia…" he whispered, as he came out of his thoughts and started to wash up.
"Should we tell him?" Quinlan asked, as he paused the news report on the Holoscreen.
"We better be the ones before he finds out on his own. He'll want to do something and we'll be the only ones that can keep him from doing something rash," Sifo-Dyas replied.
"Should we get involved?" Quinlan asked.
"It is time anyhow. And you know that there will be nothing to keep him from going once he finds out that someone is trying to kill her," Sifo answered.
"Who's trying to kill who?" Anakin asked, as he came down the stairs in fresh clothes that consisted of black pants, a royal blue colored tunic and his favorite leather jerkin. Sifo and Quinlan exchanged glances and sighed.
"We'll show you, but don't go ballistic, kid," Quinlan warned, as he hit a button and the Holonews continued.
"There are still no suspects in the attempted assassination of Senator Amidala of the Naboo system, but Chancellor Palpatine has charged the Jedi with her protection. When contacted, the Senator's entourage declined to comment on the ordeal. Amidala has been a prevalent voice in the debate against the Military Creation Act. Her outspoken voice has garnered much criticism and many death threats. This afternoon's attack upon her landing on Coruscant was in fact the third attempt in several weeks,"
The Bothan reporter droned on and Anakin stood stock still, his face showing complete disbelief.
"Someone tried to kill Padme?" he asked, his voice strained with carefully contained rage.
"Trying to kill her. They haven't found out who's behind it, but someone's hiring bounty hunters to take her out," Quinlan told him.
"The Jedi have been charged with her protection," Sifo-Dyas added, though his voice didn't hold much faith. Anakin fumed.
"Like I would trust Windu's blind little puppets to protect her," Anakin growled, as he jumped away. Quinlan knew where he was headed and followed him back to the other Temple where he kept his disguise, taking Sifo-Dyas with him.
"You're not going to Coruscant," Quinlan stated. Anakin looked at him in disbelief.
"I have to Master! I failed Mia by not rescuing Han, but I will not fail Padme!" Anakin yelled.
"He means that you'll not be going alone, young one. As skilled as you are, Coruscant will put you in the spotlight," Sifo-Dyas warned.
"I don't care. I'll take Windu head on to protect Padme if I have to and I'll find this sleamo who's trying to kill her," Anakin said firmly.
"And we will help you. But this will draw us into the middle of a brewing war between the Republic and the Separatists. No longer will we have our anonymity that we enjoy here on Yavin IV. This place will still be our only safe haven. Getting close to Mace Windu will risk all his secrets and he will pull out all the stops to destroy you and anyone close to you," Sifo-Dyas warned.
"He touches Padme and I'll kill him, end of story. I don't care about their war…only her. If the Jedi are too blind to see Windu for what he is, then they don't deserve to be saved," Anakin stated harshly.
"The Jedi and the Xal'Kaar aren't the only attention you'll catch. We'll be dealing with the Sith too. You haven't forgotten what we learned about Dooku, have you?" Quinlan asked. Anakin nodded.
"No Master, I know he's a threat too and I know that we don't know who the Master is. No one does, but maybe it's time to change that. Our presence on Coruscant might be exactly what is needed to bring everything to a head," Anakin stated. Quinlan chuckled.
"You don't half do anything, do you kid?" he joked. Anakin cracked a smirk.
"I learned from the best," he jabbed back. Sifo chuckled.
"He's got you there," Sifo poked fun. Quinlan scoffed.
"Yeah, well, let's get on with it then. Let's get our stuff ready and get to the ship," Quinlan said.
"Why don't we just jump?" Anakin asked.
"I have a few jump sites on Coruscant, but you don't and last time I checked, I can't jump planets, so we'll have to go in the old fashioned way first. And don't get cocky. The Force on Coruscant feels a lot differently to someone who has been living around so much nature. It's deader than a door panel, which means your jump scars take longer to disappear. It's a bit of a disadvantage we're going to have," Quinlan warned, as they headed to the docking bay.
Padme sat at her vanity that night, dressed in a long blue, shimmer silk night gown. She brushed out her chocolate curls and let her thoughts wander. She usually liked to spend her evenings on the veranda, but that was not allowed tonight. Captain Typho and Sabe practically had her under house arrest and she wasn't allowed to go into an open space like the veranda. There was too much danger of an assassination attempt. She tried not to be angry with them, for they were only trying to protect her. But she was frustrated with the whole situation. And tomorrow, it would only get more difficult. Her Jedi protection detail would arrived. Obi-Wan Kenobi had been assigned to her protection, along with his padawan, a young Togurtan female by the name of Ahsoka Tano. Kenobi was an old friend, but she did not like this situation at all.
"Here," Sabe said, handing her a box of what looked like expensive chocolates, as she walked in.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Very expensive Corellian chocolates from your cheating, Bantha rear of an ex-boyfriend," Sabe said slyly. Padme rolled her eyes. He kept sending her lavish gifts in an attempt to win her back. But that wasn't going to happen, not after she walked in on him in bed with some cheap call girl. His audacious response to his infidelity had been that he was weak, because she had never slept with him. And Padme was so glad she had never given into his pressuring before she found out what kind of man he was.
She didn't have much of a love life for her twenty-four years, but there had been a few interests. In fact, her first kiss had been at twelve with an older boy by the name of Palo, but it had never developed further than puppy love.
The second interest had been a nice Nabooan delegate by the name of Ian Lago, but their few dates proved there was little chemistry and they were better as friends.
The third had been another Senator by the name of Rush Clovis, whom she had dinner with a few times during her first year on Coruscant. He was overbearing and wanted far more than Padme was ready to give after just two dinner dates. She refused anymore of his invitations, much to his chagrin.
The most recent was a senior member of Mon Mothma's staff and her longest relationship to date. She had dated Gavin Jothra for eight months and at one point, she had thought that maybe she had finally found someone she could be with. But he cheated on her and had been trying to get her back ever since. It wouldn't work though, because she had realized that though his betrayal cut deeply, she wasn't in love with him, which made his gifts all the more annoying. She considered him harmless, however, her overprotective best friend did not. She had chased him down the halls of Republica 500 herself, threatening bodily harm if he came near her ever again the first and only time he had tried to come to her apartment after the incident. The look of fear on his face had been quite amusing. Sabe could be down right scary if she wanted to be.
"There were flowers too," Sabe mentioned, as she ate a piece of chocolate.
"Where are they?" Padme asked. Sabe smirked evilly.
"I had Artoo fry them with his plasma ray, then I wrapped them in a nice little box and told him to deliver them to Gavin. He shouldn't be long," Sabe replied. Padme cast a disapproving look at her, though she was trying not to smile.
"Was that really necessary?" she asked. Sabe shrugged.
"Maybe not, but it was fun. Besides, he's almost stalking you now. I never did like him," Sabe replied.
"You don't like anyone I date," Padme argued.
"No, you just haven't dated one that's worthy yet. Not one of them has been able to handle a blaster correctly and would be too cowardly to protect you should there be a need," Sabe said and stopped her, as she opened her mouth.
"And yes, you do need protection. You're a walking target," she added.
"While Lago wasn't completely unfortunate, he just turned out to be a complete bore," Sabe rattled on.
"Sabe! Ian is not boring," Padme scolded.
"Oh please, you yourself told me he nearly put you to sleep during dinner," Sabe protested.
"Oh fine, but he's still very nice," Padme agreed.
"Clovis and Gavin are morally corrupt, worm ridden filth, not worthy of someone like you. But when you find a person that is, and you will, I won't stand in the way," Sabe promised. Padme sighed.
"Well, thank you. But I'm beginning to think that love might not be in the holocards for me," Padme replied.
"That's not true and you know it. Now eat your chocolate," Sabe demanded.
"Why didn't you send the chocolate back too since it's from him?" Padme asked, as she munched on a piece. Sabe huffed.
"Stupid flowers are one thing, but I'm not wasting good Corellian chocolate," she replied, as she snapped up another piece. Padme giggled and shook her head at her best friend's antics. At least she had Sabe through his whole ordeal. She hoped the Jedi could resolve this situation soon…