Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 14! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy this next installment and let me know what you think!
Force Jumper
Chapter 14: Mystery and Deception
Anakin clenched his teeth in determination, as he gripped the control yokes tightly. The sheer mass of jumping something this big was easily overwhelming, especially since there was no guarantee that he could do it successfully. But if he didn't, none of them would survive the crash. They were coming into too hot and with a dead engine and little to response from the controls, not even an incredible pilot like him could land without casualties. . His determination hardened, as he looked back at her frightened, yet hopeful face. She trusted him and he wasn't going to let her down. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his body, as he wrapped his senses around the entire vessel. It trembled violently and then disappeared…
Moments later, the ship reappeared seemingly out of thin air and skidded roughly through an open field in the Corellian countryside outside a small farming village. People screamed out in fear, as the rough landing jarred them around, but most were harnessed in.
In the cockpit, Padme gripped her chair, as the jarring threatened to rip her from her harness. Knightblade pulled back on the control yokes as hard as he could and the ship started to slow. The turbulence finally ceased and the ship slowly came to a creaking stop. He let go of the controls and breathed a sigh of relief. He had successfully jumped the entire ship and through the Force felt that no one had perished. Undoing his harness, he stood up and started toward Padme.
"Stop right there, don't go another step toward her," Ahsoka spat, as she drew her light saber, threatening to ignite the blade. Padme fumed and stepped around her, placing herself beside him.
"Put your weapon away! He just saved all our lives!" Padme hissed.
"The question is why?" Ahsoka questioned suspiciously. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"Because I can and it was the right thing to do. I could have just saved myself and the Senator and left all of you behind. But I didn't," Knightblade replied.
"I don't know who you are, but it's my mandate to protect the Senator; not yours," Ahsoka spat.
"If I left her protection up to you, then she would be dead. Let's not forget that the only people that are supposed to know this ship's route were Chancellor Palpatine and the Jedi Council," Knightblade retorted. Padme looked at him and then back at Ahsoka.
"Is this true?" she asked.
"Yes…but obviously something went wrong and we were tracked," Ahsoka reasoned. Knightblade shook his head.
"Not likely. I did a complete sweep of the ship before we departed. There were no tracking devices. I don't trust the Chancellor, but I have a feeling that he had nothing to do with this," Knightblade said.
"You're insane if you think the Jedi Council would try to kill Senator Amidala," Ahsoka responded. Knightblade scoffed.
"Not everyone on your precious Council is what they seem. If all Jedi are as clueless as you, then you're all lost," Knightblade replied, as they heard noise outside the bridge. It was probably the staff returning.
"We're not safe here. The people that shot us down will be looking for us," Knightblade said, as he started thinking about jump sites on Corellia. He wanted to jump himself and Padme back to Yavin IV, but with the padawan tagging along, he wasn't going to do that. Nor did he want her to know that he had the ability to jump to other planets yet. They would have to lay low on Corellia for the time being.
"Take my hand. I'm going to get us somewhere we can lay low until it's safe to move on," Knightblade said, looking at Padme. She nodded without question and took his hand.
"Let's go Artoo," she called, as the little droid rolled over to her.
"Senator…you can't trust this man!" Ahsoka pleaded.
"He's saved my life three times now and the life of everyone on this ship, including yours. I'm sorry padawan Tano, but my complete trust lies with him," Padme replied sternly.
"Last chance padawan. Are you coming or not?" Anakin asked. She hesitated, but then felt uneasiness in the Force and it wasn't coming from the masked stranger.
"I know I'm going to regret this," she growled, as she took his other hand.
"Take a deep breath and close your eyes," he instructed. Padme listened and did as she had the first time he had jumped with her.
"What? Why?" Ahsoka questioned, not listening doing as instructed. But Knightblade waited no longer and the three of them, plus the little droid, disappeared just as the piloting crew returned to the bridge.
Obi-Wan slowly landed his star fighter on the landing pad that had been designated by the flight tower and powered the engines down. It was pouring like no tomorrow and from what little he had been able to gather about Kamino, it was like this all the time. He raised the hood of his cloak, as he hopped out and jogged toward the nearest entrance.
Once inside the building, he lowered his hood and shook the water off. He immediately noticed a tall, spindly white colored creature saunter toward him.
As Obi-Wan entered the structure, a tall, rail think native greeted him.
"Greetings, we've been expecting you. I am Taun We," she introduced in an obvious female voice.
"Expecting me?" Obi-Wan asked in confusion.
"Yes. Prime Minister Lama Su has been expecting you. May I introduce Prime Minister, Lama Su," Taun We said. An even taller native bowed slightly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Master..." he paused, waiting for their introductions.
"Ah…Obi-Wan Kenobi," Kenobi stammered.
"A pleasure to meet you Master Kenobi. I am pleased to report that we are ahead of schedule," Lama Su said. Obi-Wan had trouble disguising his confusion.
"Ahead of schedule?" the Jedi questioned.
"Yes, we have a first wave ready to be dispatched any time. Master Dyas should be quite pleased," Lama Su replied.
"I'm sorry, Master who?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Jedi Master Sifo Dyas is still a member of the Jedi Council, is he not?" Lama Su asked.
"No, Jedi Master Sifo Dyas left the Jedi many years ago. In fact, no one is even certain he is still alive," Obi-Wan informed him. The creature paused in his stride for a moment, but then continued.
"That is unfortunate. He would be most pleased with the army we have built him," Lama Su replied. Obi-Wan couldn't hide his perplexed look this time.
"Army?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Yes, an army of the Republic. Master Dyas placed the order almost ten years ago on behalf of the Jedi Council," Lama Su said.
"Of course, the Clone army, I recall now," Obi-Wan lied.
"If you'll follow me, I shall show you our progress," Lama Su boasted.
"That's...why I'm here," Obi-Wan lied, as they followed the Kaminoan Prime Minister. This mystery kept growing by the minute. Obi-Wan had no idea about any kind of army or why Sifo-Dyas, the mysterious rogue Jedi Master had ordered its creation. Obi-Wan had more questions than answers. His attention was perked when they came to what looked like a military style base and Obi-Wan peered down through the glass windows at hundreds of identical soldiers.
"These are the facilities where the Clones are trained," Lama Su stated. Obi-wan watched, as the men trained and learned their purposes as soldiers.
"Who was the donor?" Obi-Wan asked.
"A bounty hunter called Jango Fett. He resides here in our facility. Besides his pay, which is considerable, he only asked for one thing. An unaltered clone, with no age acceleration or manipulation to make it more docile. A curious request, don't you think?" Lama Su asked.
"Indeed," Obi-Wan answered.
"May I meet this Jango Fett?" the Jedi asked.
"Of course," he said, as he motioned for Taun We.
"Please escort this gentleman to meet Jango," Lama Su said.
"Of course, this way please," Taun We motioned. The Jedi followed, hoping that he could piece this mystery together.
A young boy answered the door and recognized Master Sifo-Dyas behind it.
"Hello Boba, is your father here?" he asked. The boy nodded.
"Is Anakin with you?" he asked, as he let Sifo in.
"I'm afraid not this time. I know he enjoys his time with you, but he's seeing to the protection of someone he cares very deeply about," Sifo-Dyas explained.
"Run along to your room, Boba," Jango ordered, as he came into the room. The young boy, none too happy with his father these days, shot him a glare and stormed off.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Jango said, as he poured himself a drink.
"The Clone Army won't be a secret much longer. I was hoping to encounter my old friend, but I have a feeling that the new Republic army will soon lead me to him," Sifo-Dyas replied. Jango smirked.
"Last time you came in contact with the Count, you almost met your end," Jango reminded. The rogue Jedi nodded.
"True, but Dooku and I still have unfinished business. Speaking of that though, your son seems plenty angry with you," Sifo-Dyas said. Jango scoffed.
"Boba is too young to understand," Jango replied.
"Is he supposed to understand you trying to kill his only friend?" Sifo-Dyas questioned, referring to Anakin. Jango sighed.
"If he wouldn't have interfered and just let me do my job, then I wouldn't have to fight him. She's just a Senator and another job, nothing personal," Jango argued.
"It is to Anakin. That Senator is very important to him. He's not going to let you harm her and I would advise not fighting him. He is more than a match for you. Let this job go," Sifo-Dyas warned.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Jango insisted.
"Since when do you let someone dictate what jobs you take? It's Dooku, isn't it? He has ordered you to kill her," Sifo-Dyas said knowingly.
"I think you've overstayed your welcome," Jango retorted shortly. Sifo-Dyas suddenly sensed a presence and knew he had to be going too.
"I'm truly sorry then and you're right, I must be going," Sifo-Dyas said abruptly, as he slipped out of Jango's quarters and out of sight, just as Obi-Wan and Taun We rounded the corner.
When they reappeared, Ahsoka stumbled, as a wave of intense dizziness swept her. She fell to her knees and her vision blurred.
"I feel sick. What did you do to me?" she demanded.
"I didn't do anything. You should have listened. The same thing happened to me the first time I discovered my ability. Unless you're used to jumping, it's going to make you dizzy and nauseous," Knightblade told her. As he said that, Ahsoka emptied the contents of her stomach in the alleyway they were in. Padme winced and gently rubbed her back.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"A small village that's away from the city. They have an inn where we can get a room for the night. We can see about acquiring another ship tomorrow," he said.
"You're…not making the decisions here. I'm in…charge of the Senator's security," Ahsoka said in between heaves.
"Not when you can't keep your breakfast down," he retorted. She growled.
"It's your fault that I'm throwing my guts up right now," she spat.
"I told you to close your eyes, but you didn't listen. I'm not going to argue with you. I know this village and we'll be safe here for now. The people that shot us down will be combing the planet for us so we need to get somewhere out of sight," Knightblade snapped, as he took Padme's hand. He pulled his hood up and she followed suit, pulling the tan hood of her cloak over her head. Ahsoka did the same with her own cloak and followed reluctantly.
Boba answered the door again, as his father nursed another glass of scotch. He had heard the entire conversation and he had already pleaded with this father to let the bounty on the Senator go. Anakin was his friend and if this Senator was special to him, then he didn't want to see her hurt, which in turn would only hurt his friend. But his father wouldn't see reason and so Boba had been giving him the silent treatment.
When he saw Taun We at the door with a strange man, he eyed him suspiciously, especially when he spotted the light saber at his belt. A Jedi. And not one like Anakin, Quinlan, or Sifo-Dyas.
"Hello Boba, is your father here?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure. Dad, Taun We is here," the boy called, as he let them in.
"Jango, I trust your recent travel to the mid rim was profitable," Taun We said.
"Somewhat," Jango answered.
"May I introduce Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," Taun We said.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi," Jango said, with a fake smile.
"Your Clones are very impressive. You must be very proud," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes. I hope they will be sufficient for your uses," Jango replied.
"Oh yes...they most certainly will. Tell me, Mr. Fett, have you have been to Coruscant?" Obi-Wan questioned. Jango tensed visibly.
"Once or twice," he replied.
"Recently?" Obi-Wan continued.
"No," Jango lied. The Jedi eyed a curious looking armor in a nearby room. Jango spoke to his son in another language and the boy shut the door.
"Thank you Mr. Fett. My visit here has been most informative," Obi-Wan said.
"The Clones will do their job well," Jango replied.
"Of that, I have no doubt," Obi-Wan replied, as bowed slightly and exited the room with Taun We. Once they were gone, Jango spoke to his son.
"Pack your things. We're leaving," Jango told him.
After settling into a room in the small country inn, Padme used the kitchenette to prepare them something to eat after Ahsoka got a few things at the local market. To Ahsoka's surprise and Anakin's as well, the meal was delicious.
"I have to say Senator, I didn't know you could cook, let alone cook well," Ahsoka complimented.
"She's right. It was delicious," Knightblade said, as he remained at the window on watch.
"Thank you. It helps that the goods at the market here were so fresh. How do you know about this small village? Are you from here?" she asked curiously.
"No…but I had a friend that was," he replied. She noted the sadness in his voice and the past tense use of phrasing.
"Who taught you to use the Force?" Ahsoka interrupted abruptly. She had been studying him since they arrived and noticed his use on several occasions, including now as he probed the Force for any sigh of danger.
"My Master," Knightblade replied vaguely.
"You're not a Jedi," she said in an accusing tone.
"Jedi aren't the only Force sensitive's in the galaxy," he replied.
"I know, my Master told me about another group," she said, glaring at him. He smirked.
"I'm not a Sith either, Snips," he retorted in amusement.
"What did you call me?" she demanded.
"Snips. I think it fits," he replied in amusement, making her fume.
"The Force is not as black and white as the Jedi have taught you to think. Something all powerful like the Force is a whole lot bigger than that. To think that your way is the only way is to deal in absolutes and is the epitome of arrogance, or so my Master would say," Knightblade recited.
"So your Master thinks the Jedi are arrogant?" Ahsoka scoffed.
"And the Sith. We are neither," Knightblade said, as he went toward the door.
"Where are you going?" she demanded.
"To get some air. I won't be far," he replied, as Padme watched him go.
"Wow, he can use a door. I'm shocked," Ahsoka spat sarcastically, as she started toward one of the bedrooms.
"I'll be meditating if you need me. Don't go anywhere," Ahsoka said, as the door slid closed. Padme huffed and crossed her arms. She didn't like the how the young padawan talked to her like she was a child or something. She stepped to the window and looked around at the small town. There were small buildings, a town square, and the market and on the outskirts, near the some farm fields, was a cemetery. She spotted a tall figure in the distance next to a gravestone. She knew that Ahsoka would probably never leave her alone for even a second again if she ventured out by herself. But something was drawing her to the mysterious stranger that had saved her life multiple times. She didn't know his real name or where he had come from, but something inside her was telling her that he needed her. As quietly as she could, she slipped out of the room to follow the man she knew only by the name Knightblade.
"Hi Mia…it's me," Anakin said, as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I know I promised that I wouldn't come back here without Han…but I'm not giving up. I'll get your son back from those monsters, I promise. I haven't forgotten and I won't give up," Anakin said, as he stared at her simple grave. He heard soft footfalls behind him and turned to find Padme there.
"I'm sorry, it's wrong of me to intrude. I…I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Padme said.
"You're not intruding. Your presence is…soothing," he told her, as she came to stand beside him, reading the name on the grave.
"Who was she?" she asked timidly.
"A good friend. She was among a group of slaves that I rescued a few years ago…but she was killed by someone that was trying to get to me," he responded. She touched his arm.
"And you blame yourself," she concluded.
"If she had never crossed paths with me, she'd still be alive," he stated.
"She might still be a slave though," Padme reminded.
"At least she would be alive," he grumbled.
"Most people would rather live one day as a free person than a lifetime as a slave. If she knew you, than I'd venture that she didn't have any regrets," she reasoned. He sighed.
"Maybe, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm putting you in more danger by being near you," he replied.
"I doubt that. I'd already be dead without you," she reminded him.
"Do you really free slaves?" she asked curiously.
"Slavery is wrong. No one has the right to own another person, so I use my powers to free them and give them justice by taking down their owners," he replied.
"I don't think I can think of a more noble cause," she mentioned. He smirked.
"Some wouldn't agree. I'm a vigilante in the eyes of most," he said.
"Or maybe you're a man trying to make things right," she replied, as they stared into each other's eyes. He wanted to kiss her so badly again and tell her everything. But it wasn't time yet, even though they were technically alone right now.
"How did you get away from the padawan anyway?" he asked suspiciously. She shrugged.
"She told me she was going to meditate in the bedroom and that I should stay put. I guess I don't take orders well," she replied, sheepishly. He smirked, but then suddenly his smile faded into a frown.
"What is it?" she wondered.
"She might have just told you that. She could be contacting the Council and telling them where we are," he said, distress in his voice.
"Do you really believe that the Council had something to do with the ship being shot down?" she asked. He took her hand and looked straight into her eyes.
"Some on the Council are oblivious to what's really going on, but never trust Mace Windu…ever. Promise me," he demanded. She stared at him and heard the serious tone in his voice.
"I promise, but I don't understand. What's going on?" she asked.
"I promise I'll explain everything. I just have to get you out of here. We need to go get your droid and then we're gone," he said, as he grabbed her around the waist and disappeared.
"Masters," Ahsoka bowed respectfully, as Mace and Yoda's holograms appeared before her. She noticed that Mace's background appeared different than Master Yoda's, which meant he was not in the Temple. The scenery around him looked familiar, but she couldn't place it.
Is the Senator unharmed?" Mace questioned.
"Yes Master, but I am afraid she has chosen to trust this Knightblade character and insists on staying with him. I have not been in a position to protest this. He did save the Senator's life though,"
"Be that as it may, this man has his own agenda. He is dangerous," Mace said.
"Know that yet, we do not. If intent on protecting the Senator he is, accept his help for now, we must," Yoda said. Mace looked at the small Master, his expression unreadable.
"Of course Master. Ahsoka, stay where you are. In the morning, you can arrange safe passage to Naboo. Be mindful around this Knightblade person," Mace instructed. She bowed.
"Yes Master," Ahsoka responded. As Mace's hologram winked out, she caught sight of what looked like the Coronet City capital building.
"Master Windu is on Corellia?" she wondered, as she walked out to the living area, just as the Senator and Knightblade appeared in the room.
"What…where have you been?" she questioned suspiciously.
"Never mind that. Have you talked to the Council?" he demanded to know.
"Of course, I had to report in and give them our position," she replied. He clenched his fists and glared daggers at her.
"Dammit…do you know what you've done!" he yelled.
"What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"Quickly, get your things. We have to hurry!" he called to Padme, who scrambled to grab what she could.
"We're not going anywhere. Master Windu ordered us to stay here," Ahsoka responded.
"I don't take orders from that Son of a Sith," Knightblade growled, as he put his arm around Padme's waist and his hand on Artoo's dome.
"Wait…you can't leave!" Ahsoka cried, as she suddenly felt something hard and blunt hit her on the head. Her vision swam and Jango Fett knocked her into the far wall, as he came through the window. Unconsciousness claimed her, as Anakin jumped and reappeared on the outskirts of town.
"We need to make sure we lose them before I make a planet jump," he told her. But as he feared, they watched with horror as Jango Fett and none other than Mace Windu appeared through his jump scar.
"How…" she breathed.
"They went through my jump scar. This is an ambush," he whispered, as he spotted Cox and Zana, as their speeder slowed.
"Run Padme," he told her.
"What? I'm not leaving you," she replied.
"You don't understand, they'll kill you too, just for being near me! Fett wants the bounty on your head!" he yelled.
"I said I'm not leaving you!" she cried and then screamed, as two cables shot toward Knightblade. He pushed her back and ignited his light saber, swiping through the electric cables before they could wrap around him. Padme felt Jango's cable wrap tightly around her, as he hauled her to her feet.
"Come along Senator, it's time for us to go. My employer actually would like the pleasure of executing you himself," Jango spat.
"No…please if you were ever friends with Knightblade, then you have to help him!" she cried. Jango watched, as two cables wound around his arms and another two around his ankles. He cried out in agony, as electricity seared through his entire body, sending him to his knees. Mace grabbed a handful of his hair and his vibro blade gleamed in the light of the sunset.
"No…you're a Jedi, why are you doing this?" Padme cried. Mace looked up at her and she couldn't help but shiver at the coldness in his eyes.
"Kill her now. She's seen too much," he ordered with no feeling in his voice. She gasped, realizing that Knightblade had been more right about him than she could have ever imagined.
"We've finally got you and now it's time purify the Force by eliminating you from existence," Mace said coldly. Tears rolled down Padme's cheeks and something inside her snapped.
"No please…you can't do this. Please…I love him!" she cried, not being able to stop the words from coming out. His eyes went wide beneath his mask as he stared at her, hardly believing what he had heard her say. But Mace was unfazed and turned the blade in his hand and slowly brought it toward his neck…
Obi-Wan was more than a little confused. After his encounter with the bounty hunter Jango Fett on Kamino, he had planned to stop him and his son from leaving the planet. But he had been unsuccessful, so he had instead followed him. But Corellia was the last place he expected him to go. He was now in Coronet City and had lost the bounty hunter. He decided that he would wait near his ship so he could again follow him and the young boy when they left…