Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 19! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy this next installment and let me know what you think!
Force Jumper
Chapter 19: Aftermath of Geonosis
Anakin and Quinlan appeared home in their Temple on Yavin IV with Padme and Sifo-Dyas in tow.
"Well, that was an adventure I'd rather not repeat," Sifo-Dyas mentioned.
"It's your fault we were in that mess in the first place, Master. Exactly what were you thinking in going after Count Dooku?" Quinlan demanded. Sifo-Dyas sighed.
"I was hoping to avoid a war. I'm afraid that my intention to create an army to protect the Republic has been manipulated by the Sith themselves," he replied sadly.
"Now the Jedi are commanding the Clone army," Anakin said. Quinlan and Sifo-Dyas exchanged a glance.
"Because the Sith are letting them. They do not have the control that they think they do," Sifo-Dyas warned.
"I can't believe how closed minded they seem. I suggested the Count Dooku was behind the attempts on my life and I was quickly rebuked," Padme mentioned.
"The dark side clouds their vision and they don't even realize it," Quinlan told her.
"So what do we do?" Anakin asked.
"We keep tabs on the situation, but we remain uninvolved as much as possible. I don't want you two out there fighting this blasted war with them," Sifo-Dyas said.
"Windu is going to use this war to his advantage. He's going to be on the hunt for us now," Quinlan warned.
"I'll need to return to the Senate soon," Padme said.
"I'm not sure that's too safe," Anakin argued.
"It doesn't matter. Now that war has broken out, I have to do whatever I must to see that it ends soon and both sides can be brought to negotiation," Padme replied.
"Then I'll be near. I'll stay out of sight, but I'm not letting you go back to Coruscant alone, especially since Mace knows what you mean to me," he said. She nodded.
"It is best if you keep up appearances in the Senate, but I believe it would be safest if you two return here when Padme is not attending to her duties in the Senate," Sifo-Dyas suggested. Padme nodded.
"I need to return briefly to Coruscant to let Sabe know what's going on and then I should probably spend a few days on Naboo. I do know of a place that is very secluded there. It belongs to my family and very few know about it," Padme stated. Sifo-Dyas nodded.
"Naboo should be okay as long as you keep out of sight in Theed," the elder former Jedi agreed.
"For tonight, I think we all need to eat a good meal and get some rest," Quinlan added, as he started to the kitchen.
"I can help with dinner if you'd like," Padme offered.
"You cook?" Quinlan asked. She nodded with a smile.
"I did grow up in a small village before I became Queen. It comes quite naturally to me, actually," Padme responded.
"Well, if you want to. We usually let the cooking bots do the work, but we won't say no to a meal that's actually prepared by a person," Quinlan said.
"None of you cook?" Padme asked.
"Master Quinlan's cooking tastes like feet," Anakin added without missing a beat.
"And coming from Ani, that's saying something. There's not much he won't eat," Sifo-Dyas teased.
"You two can't do any better. You burn EVERYTHING and the kid can't even boil water," Quinlan quipped. Padme giggled.
"Well, if that's true, then it's probably best that you all stay out of my kitchen. Come on Artoo, you can help me," Padme called, as the little droid rolled happily after his Mistress. Anakin smiled, as he watched her go.
"She's amazing," Anakin said, as Quinlan and Sifo-Dyas shook their heads in amusement.
Sabe tapped her foot impatiently, as she waited for Captain Typho to lower the ramp. She was half as irritated with Padme as the Captain was, but she trusted that her friend knew what she was doing.
"I'm really worried about the Senator," the Captain mentioned.
"If I didn't know she was completely safe, I would be too. I'm sure she's going to check in soon," Sabe replied.
"How can you be sure?" Captain Typho asked.
"Padme is fine. She's a formidable woman, despite her small size and Knightblade wouldn't harm a hair on her head," Sabe assured, as they made their way to lift at Republica 500.
"How do you know? What if the Jedi are right about him?" Typho asked.
"I'm sure, because he loves her. It was so obvious between them the last time I was with them," Sabe mused. Typho sighed.
"You better be right," he replied. She rolled her eyes.
"I usually am," she quipped. It was Typho's turn to roll his one good eye.
"Women," he muttered under his breath.
Anakin jumped himself and Padme to the roof of the Temple where they lived, just as the sun was setting on the horizon. Together, they sat on the edge and she cuddled against him, as he put his arm around her.
"The sunset here is so beautiful. I could get used to this," Padme said, as she rested her head on his chest. He smiled down at her.
"Hopefully someday we won't have to hide. Being with me is going to mean spending a lot of time here where they can't find us," he told her. She smiled up at him.
"If I have to hide here to be with you for the rest of my life, then I'm perfectly fine with that," she responded.
"Are you sure?" he asked. She smiled and brushed his sandy blonde bangs away from his eyes.
"Of course I'm sure. I love you," she whispered.
"I know…I love you too. I just want you to make sure you know what loving me means," he replied. She looked up at him and kissed him tenderly.
"I know that it means being happy with someone who loves me and would never hurt me. If hiding is what we have to in order to be together, then that's what we'll do," Padme said. He smiled and kissed her again.
"Besides, during the day, I'll be hiding in plain sight. In some ways, Coruscant is almost as safe as being here," Padme said. He quirked his left eyebrow.
"How do you figure that, angel?" he asked. She smirked.
"Because if Mace tries anything or does anything suspicious in or around the Senate district, then he risks exposing all his dirty secrets. You could even help slaves on Coruscant," Padme suggested. He sighed.
"I don't know, that might be a little risky, though antagonizing Mace Windu is a favorite hobby of mine," he joked.
"Think about it…you could operate right under his nose and he really couldn't do anything about it, unless he wants me to tell everything I know to the Holonet. It wouldn't matter if he claimed it was all untrue or not. His entire organization could unravel and if not that, his position as a Jedi might be in question," Padme suggested.
"I don't know angel, I think you underestimate the pull that Mace has over the Jedi Council. But…the Holonet would ruin him. The last thing the Jedi need is bad press and they will be busy with a war," he noted.
"Coruscant might be safer than I thought, but we still have to be extremely careful. He uses not only his own kind, but the Xal'Kaar will hire more bounty hunters and mercenaries if they have to. And they pay for their discretion," Anakin warned. She nodded.
"I know…I just don't like the idea of him being allowed to do what he does right under the noses of the Senate and the Jedi. He is making a mockery of democracy," she replied. He smiled and kissed her hair.
"I know…but I will stop him. Unfortunately, my battle with the Xal'Kaar is its own war. There will be a lot of little battles, before we see the end," he said.
"But you'll always come home to me…wherever home happens to be," she replied, as their lips met again, passion swelling between them. As their lips dueled for control, Anakin gathered her in his arms and jumped them to the bedroom.
Count Dooku made his way down the ramp from his ship, which he had docked on his Master's secret landing bay in The Works.
"The Force is with us, my Master. The war has begun," the Count announced, as he took stride beside the cloaked form of his Master.
"That is excellent news. What of your other project?" Sidious inquired. Dooku sighed.
"I'm afraid that Sifo-Dyas escaped. That project will be delayed until I can find another donor. However, with a war to fight now, a worthy Jedi candidate shouldn't be difficult to acquire," Dooku responded.
"And our Kaleesh General?" Sidious questioned.
"He remains in stasis on Geonosis, awaiting the necessary blood transfusion," Dooku answered.
"We must not waste any more time. The droid army needs a leader, one that is a master in tactics and strategy. One that is out for revenge and is bloodthirsty, devoid of any moral compass…and with a unique ability," Sidious leered. Dooku was silent. He knew what ability his Master was speaking of. It was the one power that eluded Sidious, much to his chagrin.
"Master…do you believe that it would be wise? If Grievous were to have that ability, he could be unpredictable and we could easily lose control," Dooku argued.
"The mind manipulation that has been performed on the comatose General should make his will sufficiently malleable. He is your responsibility, my apprentice. You will make him obey," Sidious hissed.
"Yes my Master, but using the blood of another Force Jumper does not guarantee that it will give our protégé the same ability," Dooku reminded.
"On the contrary. The Geonosian scientists are convinced that the ability is a result of a midichlorian mutation at the genetic level that can be caused by a number of factors or even occur naturally in some cases. Find a specimen and proceed with the project immediately. There shall be no more delays," Sidious ordered. Dooku bowed deeply.
"Yes my Master…I will leave to search at once," Dooku responded.
Ahsoka aimlessly wandered the halls of the Jedi Temple. War…it was unfathomable to Ahsoka. The Republic had not been at war for centuries and in one fell swoop, all that had changed. Her Master and she would surely be off to the front lines to battle the Separatists. The whole situation felt wrong. Jedi were not raised to be soldiers, yet they would be leading an army.
"Hey, watch out," a voice called. Ahsoka stopped short of crashing into the other girl.
"Oh, sorry Scout," Ahsoka apologized.
"That's okay. You looked like you're half a galaxy away," the other padawan replied.
"Yeah, just thinking about the war is all," Ahsoka replied.
"Yeah, think of all the places you're going to see and the action! You're lucky you have a Master. I'm stuck here in the Temple," Scout said.
"The battle on Geonosis was hell. I mean, I guess it's kind of exciting, but fighting a war seems like exactly the opposite of what Jedi are supposed to be doing," Ahsoka replied.
"Of course it's going to be exciting! Your Master is the infamous Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's going to see all the best action," Scout reminded. Ahsoka nodded.
"You'll get chosen by a Master soon, I'm sure of it," Ahsoka tried to tell her friend. But Scout scoffed and knew better.
"Yeah right, I'll probably be shipped off to Agri-Corps soon," she scoffed. Ahsoka shook her head.
"Don't say that. Everything will work out," Ahsoka promised, as her comlink chimed.
"This is Ahsoka," she answered.
"We have a few things to go over before we leave in the morning, young one. Please join me in my quarters," Obi-Wan requested.
"I'll be right there, Master," she answered.
"Duty calls," Scout said. Ahsoka nodded, as she and her friend parted ways.
Mace Windu seethed inwardly, as they observed the Holonet's rendition of the events that had taken place on Geonosis. War had erupted in the galaxy and now the Jedi were expected to lead an army of clones against the droid armies of the Separatists. But that wasn't the source of all his frustration. Skywalker and Vos were free, gallivanting across the galaxy still, and he was near powerless to stop them. He clenched his fist and released his anger into the Force, before Yoda could pick up on it.
"Well, I must say without the Clones, it wouldn't have been a victory," Obi-Wan mentioned.
"Victory? Victory you say? No Master Obi-Wan, no victory was there today," Yoda said sadly. Obi-Wan lowered his head, effectively chastised. Master Yoda was right of course. A war had erupted from that so called victory on Geonosis and Senator Amidala was still technically missing. The Holonet was rampant with talk that she was willingly allied with the mysterious Knightblade, who had seemed to be on their side during the battle. Then of course, they couldn't stop talking about the rumors that the beautiful Senator was romantically involved with Knightblade. Obi-Wan knew that both rumors were true and for the life of him couldn't understand what had gotten into the normally level headed, responsible former Queen of Naboo.
"Obi-Wan, where is your padawan now?" Mace asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"I believe she is with the other padawans," Obi-Wan responded.
"The Separatists are already drawing massive amounts of support from various systems. More and more planets have left the Republic in the last twenty-four hours and droid armies have popped up on dozens of worlds," Mace stated.
"Then I suppose Ahsoka and I will be sent to the front lines," Obi-Wan responded.
"Christophsis has been invaded by the Separatist forces and they've taken over the mining business. A lot of Republic worlds count on the crystals and minerals mined there. You and Ahsoka will go mount the front against the droid forces there," Mace decided.
"Forgive me Master, but Christophsis only exports to Republic worlds minimally. Perhaps Ahsoka and I would be more needed in another place?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Normally I would wholeheartedly agree, Master Kenobi, but Christophsis is not important for its minerals really. It's the location that is concerning us," Mace responded.
"Trying to grip control of the hyper lanes, the Separatists are. Control of the outer rim, they desire," Yoda stated.
"And Christophsis is right in the middle of that," Obi-Wan deduced with a nod.
"I will summon Ahsoka to my quarters this evening and discuss our mission with her," Obi-Wan added. Mace nodded.
"Your Clone battalion will be awaiting you in the morning for departure," Mace instructed. Obi-Wan took his leave, as did Mace, leaving a troubled Yoda behind in the Council room, as the small Jedi Grand Master gazed out at the busy Coruscant skyline. ~*~
Two days later
Anakin and Padme arrived in her Republica 500 apartment that morning. Sabe walked from the kitchen and nearly dropped her cup of caf. After putting it down, she ran and hugged her best friend.
"Dammit, where the hell have you been?" Sabe asked.
"I've been safe, I assure you," Padme replied.
"I see that…Knightblade," she greeted with a nod. Anakin smirked.
"Milady," he replied.
"You're still not going to tell me who you are when it's obvious that Padme knows?" Sabe asked.
"Maybe soon, but not here," he replied mysteriously.
"We won't be here long either. I came to pack a few things and then I need to go speak with the Queen. After that, I thought we would spend a few days in the Lake Country," she stated.
"Yes, the Queen is anxious to speak with you. The Holonet rumors about you two are running rampant," Sabe mentioned.
"I haven't done anything wrong. If I had stayed with the Jedi protection I had, then I would be dead right now," Padme refuted.
"Oh I agree, I'm just warning you for the media storm you'll return to when you get back," Sabe warned, as Padme packed some fresh clothes in her travel case.
"I would think they would have more pressing things to talk about with the war in all," Padme mentioned. Sabe scoffed.
"Your love life is far more interesting than the war to them," Sabe jabbed, while Padme gave her a withering look.
"My love life is none of anyone's business," Padme replied.
"Ah, so there is a love life! I knew it!" Sabe exclaimed. Padme sighed.
"Can we please not do this right now?" Padme asked.
"So you are sleeping together," Sabe deduced playfully. Padme groaned.
"And it must be really good to get you this worked up," Sabe continued to poke at her best friend.
"You're incorrigible," Padme said.
"You do know that your parents will be expecting a visit. They're probably worried sick," Sabe reminded. Padme nodded.
"We'll be visiting them briefly before going to the Lake Country," Padme said nervously.
"Oh that will be interesting. You think I'm grilling you about him, then you haven't seen anything yet," Sabe mused. Padme sighed. She knew her family would be just as intrusive and demand answers…answers she wasn't ready to give.
"Well, they'll have to take what I'm ready to give. It's my life and I haven't let my mother run it thus far, though Force knows she's tried, and I don't plan to let her now. I love A…Knightblade and they can accept it or not accept it," Padme replied.
"You don't have to convince me, I approve. I don't have to worry about you not being safe anymore and he's sexy to boot," she added, earning a giggle from Padme.
"You have no idea," she mused dreamily.
"Well, of course I don't, because someone refuses to share any details!" Sabe said saucily.
"I promise I'll let you grill me when I get back," Padme replied.
"Oh, I'm going to hold you to that," Sabe said, as they shared a sisterly hug. Padme carried her travel case out to the living area where her love waited for her.
"Take care of her," Sabe requested of him.
"Don't worry, no harm will come to her," he assured. She nodded and watched in amazement, as the two disappeared seemingly into thin air.
A remote town on Dantooine
The young teen smirked, his dark brown eyes dancing with mischief, as he evaded the notice the security guards. It was a new day, which meant another bank and another payday for him, as he jumped into the vault, without opening the door. No alarm sounded, for he had not tripped any security settings since he didn't open the vault door. He rubbed his hands together and started filling his knapsack with credits. He heard a rumbling come from his stomach and sighed. He hoped Johnny, his best friend, was out scoring them something to eat.
Stealing was wrong and he was well aware, but when you had the ability that he and his best friend possessed, stealing and hiding quickly became a way of life. Shouldering the knapsack, he jumped, appearing in the back alleyway outside the bank. The employees wouldn't notice they had even been robbed until after they closed and the daily count was done. He and Johnny would be long gone by then.
"Did you get a lot Cory?" Johnny, a brown haired teen, light skinned teen about the same age asked. The chocolate skinned boy scoffed.
"Of course I did, I'm the brains of this operation after all," he replied.
"Did you get us something to eat? I'm starving," Cory complained. Johnny opened his own knapsack, revealing a score of goods to eat. Cory nodded in appreciation.
"You know, we have the credits. We could buy food," Johnny suggested.
"What's the fun in that? Besides, how else am I supposed to teach you to use your abilities?" Cory asked.
"True, you really saved my ass from those clowns last time," Johnny replied.
"It felt good to beat those sleamo Xal'Kaar creeps for once. We got lucky that our jump scars closed before they got their machine rolling. You weren't careless like last time, were you?" Cory chided.
"Man, no faith in me at all, huh? I did everything just as you told me to," Johnny complained.
"Just checking. We can't be too careful," Cory replied, as they entered the small, abandoned building that they were currently crashing in. With the credits they had just acquired, they would be able to buy a ship in the morning and leave this stupid little backwater mud ball. Dantooine was a drag, but proved uninteresting to any Xal'Kaar agents and jump scars disappeared quickly there.
"I'll start cooking up this grub. I snagged some bantha steaks!" Johnny called excitedly.
Suddenly the door was kicked open, as two Xal'Kaar agents fired their electrified cables, immediately capturing young Johnny. Cory jumped to evade them and drew his vibro blade to defend himself. He screamed in horror, as he watched Johnny's throat be slit by the other man and he lunged at him. The other agent fired his cable and captured Cory, dragging him back by the leg.
"Sorry jumper scum, time to join your little friend," the man sneered, as he drew his vibro blade. A blood red blade suddenly protruded from the man's chest, as he fell dead to the floor. The teen looked up to find an aging, bearded man above him.
"Who are you?" Cory asked.
"I am someone who will allow you to have revenge on the Xal'Kaar…someone who will see that you become a part of something great," Dooku said. Before the young teen could say or do anything else, his life was ended by the swiftness of Count Dooku's blade. Dooku employed his droids to collect the body and the blood of the other young Force Jumper, before leaving quickly and unnoticed by anyone. The Grievous project would be realized without the blood of Sifo-Dyas and he would be more deadly than originally planned…