Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 16! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy this next installment and let me know what you think!
Force Jumper
Chapter 16: Love Across the Stars
"And if you're just joining us, we have recently received a report from the Jedi Council
Senator Amidala of the Naboo system has apparently been kidnapped by the mysterious Knightblade, who recently thwarted the attempts on her life. The Jedi Council has assured everyone that they are doing everything possible to recover the Senator unharmed and bring this vigilante to justice. In other news…" the reporter droned on and Quinlan clicked the screen off, sighing in frustration.
"Damn you Windu," Quinlan swore. Anakin and Padme were not back yet, so he decided it would be best to tell them about this in the morning. With that thought, he trudged upstairs to retire for the night.
Obi-Wan disengaged hyperspace and a brownish/tan planet was before them. This was
where the Bounty Hunter's ship had gone and he quickly made the necessary adjustments for landing.
"What planet is this, Master?" Ahsoka asked.
"Geonosis…no surprise that it is a planet involved with the Separatists movement. We may find what we're looking for here," Obi-Wan said, as he began the descent to the desert planet.
"I know what Master Windu said, but I don't think Knightblade is involved with the attempts on the Senator's life," Ahsoka mentioned.
"We have discussed this padawan," Obi-Wan said sternly.
"I know that Master, but I was with them and hurting her was the last thing he would do based on his body language and their interaction. Wherever they are, Master, she's with him willingly," Ahsoka mentioned. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Perhaps young one, but we still must find her and bring him to justice," Obi-Wan responded.
"We need to bring the ones that are really trying to kill her to justice. I'll admit that I don't really like Knightblade, but I don't think he's the true enemy here," Ahsoka argued. Obi-Wan bit back a growl. His headstrong padawan was not going to let this one go.
"Master Windu knows what he is doing and she will be found. She is a Senator and it is a crime to abduct a Senator, even if it might have, and I stress the might have, been for her own safety," Obi-Wan said sternly.
"Our mandate now is to bring those responsible for putting the hit out on her to justice. Master Windu will deal with Knightblade when he finds the Senator," Obi-Wan continued.
"Even if she doesn't want to be found?" Ahsoka questioned.
"That's not her decision, young one. She chose to be a servant of the public and that means her life is not always her own. The Chancellor has ordered that she be returned and since she is one of his subordinates, she cannot refuse his orders," Obi-Wan said sternly, urging her to drop the discussion. Ahsoka heeded his warning this time, but doubted that even the Chancellor's orders would make Padme listen to reason. She didn't take orders from anyone and seemed intent on following Knightblade wherever he went. He seemed to be the only one she trusted and the young padawan was actually surprised that she wasn't worried about Padme's safety at all. Something inside her, the Force she was sure, told her that Padme Amidala was perfectly safe as long as she was with the mysterious Knightblade.
"And that's why I came up with the Knightblade disguise, not only to absorb blaster fire, but to conceal my identity. It helped me take on larger operations and free more slaves. But I should have known that Jango would turn on me eventually," Anakin explained.
"You wanted to believe that he was your friend. There was nothing wrong with that," Padme replied.
"It could have gotten you killed," Anakin stated.
"Last time I checked, every bounty hunter in the galaxy is after me. I really doubt that it would have mattered if Jango decided to honor your friendship by not pursuing me. Please don't blame yourself. You've saved my life five or six times now. I'm losing count," she teased, as they shared a smile.
"I'd do anything for you," he responded, as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. Padme found herself captivated by her handsome company.
"What?" he asked, as he met her gaze.
"I'm just thinking about how many people you've saved by doing what you do, all while putting yourself in mortal danger. I went into public service to help people, but you help so many more, so many that must feel so hopeless," Padme said in awe. He shrugged.
"The Force gave me this gift for a reason. I have to do something good with it or it's a waste. But a lot of people consider me a vigilante and the Xal'Kaar don't care if I am freeing slaves. They want me dead just because of what I am," he replied. She shook her head.
"I still don't understand that or how Mace Windu can lead a double life. Are you sure no one would believe us if we told them?" she asked. He nodded.
"Positive. He has recruited too many Jedi to his way of thinking and those he hasn't practically worship him as the greatest Jedi of all time. The war between the Xal'Kaar and Force Jumpers has been going on for centuries under the noses of just about everyone," he replied. She nodded and squeezed his hand.
"He's wrong to do what he does though, for what it's worth. You're freeing helpless and abused women and children. Your courage is truly humbling," she whispered, as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"Coming from you, that means everything to me. I've feared for a long time that being loved back by you would forever be a fantasy," he whispered back. She smiled and brushed his shaggy bangs from his eyes.
"Well, in that case I hope I can live up to your fantasy," she teased. He smiled.
"The real you exceeds anything I could ever imagine," he replied, as he kissed her tenderly. Their lips parted a few moments later, but neither really wanted to let the other go. Anakin sighed, as he noticed it was dark now.
"We should probably get back. It's getting late," he mentioned. She nodded, as they stood up. Taking her in his arms, they disappeared and quickly reappeared on the second floor of the Temple they lived in.
"Uh…there is a guest room down the hall that you can stay in," he said, stumbling over his words nervously. She smiled up at him, her amber eyes gazing into his sapphire pools.
"I think you and I both know that I won't need a guest room," she whispered. Anakin felt the air leave his lungs.
"Padme…are you sure?" he asked, finding his voice. She nodded and put her hands in his.
"As sure as I am that you're the man I want to be with forever," she replied passionately. Their lips met with passionate hunger, as their bodies were pressed tightly together. Anakin didn't bother with the door and jumped them into his darkened bedroom where passion ignited between them.
Count Dooku swirled his glass of wine and sipped at the decadent liquid, as he pondered his earlier meeting with the Separatist leaders. Everything was falling into place as it should, though his Master was decidedly perturbed by the young Force Jumper who kept getting in the way. The Count assured him that if the bounty hunters were unable to kill Amidala and Windu failed to take out the boy, that he would step in and deal the other Force Jumper's fate to him. His abilities were a great asset to the Sith Master, but proved to be detrimental to his plans when being used against him. That situation was decidedly more complicated than convincing the separatist leaders to go to war. That had been easy, his cultured upbringing and eloquence with words hadn't even been needed really. The money and power hungry leaders thought themselves above the corruption they saw in the Republic. But they were the same as their counterparts. Blind, corrupt, greedy filth that were easily manipulated. The Commerce Guild leaders fancied themselves revolutionaries; instead they were pawns, to be manipulated around the galaxy as if they were pieces on a Dejarik board. They were motivated by selfishness, greed, and interested only in whatever benefitted them personally and not the people they were representing. Those were of no concern, whatsoever. Only lining their pockets mattered. And he played that weakness like an expert Dejarik player would.
The commerce leaders were all too easy to convince to go to war. Show them a little ambition, some financial incentives to go to war, and they were all ready to desert the Republic and form their glorious new government.
It was ironic. The Separatists thought they were creating a new era in the galaxy, where they would be able to practice their business enterprises free from the troubling rules and taxes of the Republic. Instead they were signing on for the death of everything they held dear, including themselves.
And the Jedi…how foolishly blind his former brethren had become. Mace Windu conducted his war on Force Jumpers right beneath their noses, while a Sith Lord interacted with them on a daily basis, pulling the strings of everyone like a grand puppeteer. The galaxy needed staunch leadership and real protectors, not ones who pandered to the whims of a governed body that wasted money on living lavishly while the people they represented starved. The system was broken, but they would build a grand Empire to fix these problems. There would be no need for the archaic Jedi. They had long outlived their usefulness and it was time for new order. This war would accomplish this goal and the Jedi would help them do it. They would fight this war and command a grand army of the Republic. Then that same army would do away with them when they had won. Ironic indeed. As he raised his glass to his lips again, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I did not commission the army for it to be used against the people of the galaxy," Sifo-Dyas said, walking into the light.
"Sorry to deceive you, old friend. But I couldn't have the Clone army being traced back to me. And they'll be fighting for the people," Dooku responded.
"Starting a war is not the way to fix the Republic or the Jedi," Sifo-Dyas replied.
"I know. My Master and I don't intend to fix either of them. It is time for a new order," Dooku stated.
"A Sith order will only bring death and destruction to the galaxy," Sifo-Dyas insisted.
"That is already at hand, my friend. The Jedi boast that they are the peacekeepers of the galaxy, yet the capital world where they reside has one of the highest crime rates in the galaxy. Exactly what are they doing behind those ivory walls? Waiting for the greedy constituents that rule them to tell them to do something about it? They only care when it hurts their bottom line. A war will do that and then the Jedi will have their day to save the galaxy. But I think we both know that they cannot rise to that challenge. That's where the army comes in. It is time to raze what does not work; the Republic and the Jedi, and start anew," Dooku said eloquently.
"I am surprised that you did not mention the Xal'Kaar in your statement," Sifo-Dyas said, watching Dooku's features darken a bit.
"He has told you to leave them alone, hasn't he? The war between Force Jumpers and the Xal'Kaar does not fit into his plans. He could care less about Mace Windu's crusade against your kind and yet you are helping to hand him the galaxy on silver platter," Sifo-Dyas said, approaching closer.
"Don't you see that he will soon have no use for you?" Sifo-Dyas asked.
"Of course I have. That's why I pled for you to join me ten years ago. We could overthrow him and truly revolutionize order in the galaxy, but you're not as enlightened as I had believed," Dooku spat.
"You mean I'm not deluded into believing the Sith will fix anything," Sifo-Dyas fought back. Dooku glared at him.
"You were a fool to come here, my friend. I'm afraid I can't let you leave here," Dooku said, as he pulled back his cloak and the curved hilt of his weapon flew into his hand. Sifo-Dyas followed suit and his own weapon snapped to his hand.
"If you strike me down, then I will become more powerful than you can imagine," Sifo-Dyas challenged. Dooku chuckled.
"You are of no use to me dead, my friend. I have an…interesting plan for you," Dooku said, as he ignited his crimson blade.
"You should feel honored though. You will make your mark, so to speak, on the galaxy yet," Dooku said. Sifo-Dyas circled him and ignited his emerald blade, as they clashed together in…
The light sabers, scarlet and emerald clashed wildly in a series of strikes and parries. The two combatants shuffled along the expanse of the room, each looking for an opening to strike down the other. They were dead even in skill so it was no surprise that the one wielding the color of the Sith resorted to harsher tactics. Force lightning erupted from the bearded man's fingertips and slammed into the other man. The emerald blade fell to the ground extinguishing upon contact, as the man hit the wall, before falling unconscious to the floor. Count Dooku smirked down at his fallen former comrade, before ordering his droids to drag the man from the room and into his captivity.
Anakin awoke with a start and his eyes darted around wildly, as the dream replayed in his head. He felt a weight on his chest and gazed down at the beautiful angel sleeping peacefully, curled against him. Gently, he laid her down on her pillow and got up, slipping his pants on and padding to the window, pondering whether his dream had already happened or was going to. The uneasiness he felt in the Force told him that his Master was already in trouble though and he needed to go wake Quinlan.
"Ani…" Padme called sleepily. He turned and smiled, as he slipped back into bed.
"Are you all right?" she asked. He nodded.
"I just had a dream…I think it was a vision," he confessed.
"What was it about?" she asked.
"Master Sifo-Dyas. I think he's been captured by Count Dooku. He's alive…but he's in trouble I think," Anakin said, his face troubled.
"Then we have to go rescue him," she said, as she sat up, holding the sheet over her unclothed body.
"It's too dangerous. I can't take you right into the Nexu's den, but you would be safe here on Yavin IV," Anakin said. She shook her head.
"You are not leaving me behind," she refuted.
"Padme…" he started to argue.
"No Ani, I'm not letting you go alone and that's final. We're a team now and I saw more than one ship in the landing bay. If you go without me, then I'll just follow you," she responded in a tone that bore no argument. He sighed in frustration.
"Is this how it's going to be? You being impossible and me taking orders from you?" he challenged, as he brought his face within inches of hers. She smirked dangerously at him and he felt the heat spread through his body.
"Is there a problem with that?" she asked sweetly, batting her gorgeous amber eyes.
"I guess I did say I would do anything for you," he replied. She smiled.
"You should go wake Master Quinlan and I'll pack for us," Padme said. He stopped her.
"It's best if we wait until morning. I'm libel to get run through with his light saber. He doesn't like to be woken up and it's scary if you have to," Anakin replied.
"Okay, but I'm not sure if I can go back to sleep. I'm wide awake now," she said. He smirked this time.
"Good, cause I never said I was going to let you go back to sleep," he said with a seductive edge in his voice that made a delicious shiver run down her spine. He pounced and she squeaked in pleasure, as his lips claimed hers.
Obi-Wan set the ship down near a rocky outcropping.
"Master, did you see those smoke stacks when we flew over?" Ahsoka asked. He nodded.
"A droid factory, most likely. This is definitely a Separatist outpost for sure," Obi-Wan replied, as the two Jedi hopped out.
"What now?" she asked.
"If that is a droid factory, then we're sorely outnumbered. Going in by ourselves would be a suicide mission. We should contact the Council first," Obi-Wan replied.
"Arfour, open a transmission with Coruscant," Obi-Wan ordered. Arfour whirled in response.
"He says that Coruscant is out of range," Ahsoka informed. The elder Jedi thought for a moment.
"Perhaps Master Windu's ship is not. He's probably en route to Coruscant. Arfour, see if you can hone in on Master Windu's ship. He should be able to transmit our message to the Council," Obi-Wan said. They waited a few moments while Arfour did his work and they finally heard the Korun Master's voice over the comm.
"Master Windu, we have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to Geonosis. Unfortunately, Coruscant is out of range. Can you transmit our signal to the Council?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes, standby," Mace responded.
"All right Obi-Wan, we're all hearing you. Go ahead," Mace said a few moments later.
"We've tracked the Bounty hunter, Jango Fett to Geonosis. We believe we are near one of the Trade Federation droid factories. We also believe Jango was likely hired by them to assassinate Senator Amidala," Obi-Wan informed them.
"Do not attempt to engage. We will send reinforcements to aide you," Mace ordered.
"Master…droids!" Ahsoka cried, suddenly, as they were surrounded. Blaster fire rang out, as the two Jedi attempted to fight them off. But they were quickly outnumbered and the transmission was severed.
Mace sighed in frustration.
"Master Yoda, I'm changing course and heading to Geonosis," Mace stated.
"Send reinforcements to meet you, I will. Go to Kamino and see this army of the Republic for myself, I must," Yoda responded.
"May the Force be with you, Master," Mace said, as the transmission ended.
"Enjoy your reprieve Skywalker, because once this is over, I will find you and you will die," Mace swore to himself, as his ship changed course for Geonosis.
In the next chapter, Quinlan, Anakin, and Padme head for Geonosis. Meanwhile, Mace and hundreds of Jedi also arrive to rescue Obi-Wan and Ahsoka and battle erupts on Geonosis.