Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.
AN: Here's chapter 37! Thanks for all the great reviews.
Force Jumper
Chapter 37: True Colors
As Anakin and Hunter exited hyperspace in their personal two person star fighter, they observed the dog fight before him. Anakin felt the familiar thrill he got when flying and from what he was sensing from Hunter, he too had developed a love for flying as well. Unfortunately, they had no time to lose or even join the battle. Anakin quickly located Grievous' ship and gathered the Force around them and the ship. Like nothing, the ship disappeared and then reappeared again inside the landing bay of the Imperial Hand.
Palpatine's predicament didn't concern Anakin much. But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed odd that Mace would take on a mission like this so close to Coruscant. He was a High Council member and his position allowed him the freedom to choose his missions. Anakin and Quinlan had kept track. He always took business or assignments away from Coruscant. It allowed him to pop over to his home world as he saw fit to observe Xal'Kaar daily operations while no one, including Master Yoda, was none the wiser. No, Mace Windu was up to something and he feared that maybe Obi-Wan and Ahsoka's cover was blown. If they managed to save Palpatine, then fine, but he wasn't even on Anakin's radar. It was the perfect opportunity to confront Mace by surprise and perhaps, even expose him.
Droids immediately descended upon them. Hunter flipped out first and ignited his lightsaber. Anakin soon joined him and they made quick work of the droids.
"Since we haven't seen the rest of the ship, we'll need to use the elevator the old fashioned way," Anakin said, as he tossed a comlink to Artoo.
"Stay here Artoo and wait for my call," Anakin ordered, as they boarded the lift. However, the turbo lift happened to be filled with battle droids.
"Hands up," the lead droid ordered. Anakin and Hunter exchanged a glance, before igniting their sabers and chopping the droids to bits.
"Why do the Separatists rely on these dumb droids?" Hunter asked. Anakin smirked.
"They believe them to calculating and efficient," Anakin replied.
"They're efficient at getting destroyed," Hunter quipped. Anakin chuckled.
"Of course, but the Separatist leaders are cheapskates and you don't have to pay droids to work for you like sentient beings," Anakin reminded. Hunter looked at him with suspicion.
"What?" Anakin asked.
"Nothing, just sounds like something mom would say," Hunter replied.
"Well, who do you think I heard it from?" Anakin countered, as the elevator abruptly stopped.
"They must know we're here," Hunter said.
"Artoo, activate elevator four one one seven," Anakin said into his comlink. But there was no response. Meanwhile, Hunter began using his lightsaber to cut a whole in the roof of the lift.
"Wait for me," Anakin told him. But his eager son and apprentice jumped to the floor they wanted. He hung on the edge as the door opened, revealing more droids.
"Hands up," they ordered. The elevator started again and Hunter fell, leaping back through the opening and landing next to Anakin.
"Was that productive?" Anakin asked. Hunter shook his head.
"No," he relented.
"That's why I said to wait," Anakin replied.
"Sorry dad, but you know, Master Quin says that if I listened to you all the time, then I wouldn't be your son," Hunter quipped. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, your Uncle Quin is full of all kinds of "wisdom" like that," Anakin joked, as the lift came to a stop on the floor they wanted and they crept into the corridor.
Obi-Wan, Mace, and Ahsoka rounded the corner. They stopped when they came face to face with General Grievous and his prisoner, Master Shaak Ti.
"Master Ti!" Ahsoka exclaimed, but Obi-Wan held her back.
"You will release her, you abomination," Mace hissed. This caused Obi-Wan and Ahsoka to exchange a quick glance.
A short distance away, Anakin observed the exchange. The opportunity he had been waiting years for had finally presented itself. Mace Windu was isolated with him on this ship. He suspected that Mace suspected Obi-Wan and Ahsoka knew too much. His plan was probably to eliminate them along with Grievous. Shaak Ti would be an obvious casualty as well. Then Mace would rescue Palpatine and be the hero of the day. But Mace wasn't expecting him and he would finally be unnerved enough to expose his true colors.
"Dad, are you sure about this?" Hunter asked, as he appeared beside him Artoo, having retrieved him from the docking bay. Anakin nodded.
"Did you place the holocams where I asked?" he questioned. Hunter nodded.
"Then we're ready," Anakin said and patted Artoo's domed head.
"All right Artoo, broadcast the signal from our holocams to the Holonet and don't let it be overridden or shut off. It's time for the entire galaxy to see the true Mace Windu," Anakin said.
"Let her go Grievous," Obi-Wan demanded.
"Make me...stinking Jedi!" Grievous rasped, as he drew his weapon, preparing to ignite the blade and kill Shaak Ti. Suddenly his prisoner disappeared and reappeared behind them.
"Stay here and get your barings, Master Ti," Knightblade said, as Hunter helped to steady her.
"You..." Grievous growled.
"General Grievous...coughed up what little organic tissue you have left yet?" Knightblade quipped, enjoying the look of surprise on Mace's face.
"Surprised to see me, Mace?" he questioned. Mace's expression sobered, becoming stoic once again.
"You're not wanted here, vigilante," he stated evenly.
"Master Windu, if Knightblade is indeed here to fight Grievous, then he is not the enemy. He just saved Shaak Ti's life after all," Obi-Wan reasoned, baiting the other Jedi.
"I concur with Master Kenobi. The only evil I sense in this corridor is Grievous. We must work together to defeat him and rescue the Chancellor," Shaak Ti stated.
"Unless you havea quite different plan in mind, Master," Obi-Wan added, as he looked the Korun Master directly in the eye. The Korun Master flashed a rare smirk.
"Meddling in affairs that do not concern you will cost you and your padawan, Kenobi," Mace stated.
"Master Windu..." Shaak Ti said in a scolding, confused tone.
"Then you do know that Ahsoka and I have knowledge of your secret operation, the Xal'Kaar, and exactly what it is they do. I suspected as such," Obi-Wan stated.
"You will not speak that name, traitor," Mace hissed.
"I'm a traitor? Oh no Mace, I think we both know you're the only traitor here," Obi-Wan responded.
"Master Kenobi...what is going on?" Shaak Ti asked.
"The esteemed Master Windu hunts those like Knightlade and his young apprentice, simply for having the ability to Force Jump. He and his cohorts hunt them, kill them, and anyone close to them that know too much, and he runs his secret operation under the guise of being a humble Jedi Master," Obi-Wan stated.
"A wild story and some very serious accusations," Mace countered.
"Not so wild. We have captured an individual that has funded your operation for years. He's spilling his guts to save his own skin right now," Knightblade responded. Mace smirked.
"So you think you have me, do you?" Mace challenged.
"You weren't expecting me today, but I gave Ventress, your newest lap dog, a couple of surprises she wasn't expecting," Knightblade stated, enjoying Mace's nervousness.
"Your plan here today was to allow Grievous to kill Shaak Ti for you, so you could then slay Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, before rescuing the Chancellor. You could have easily pinned all three murders on Grievous and no one would have questioned it," Knightblade replied.
"And no one will. I just have a couple more bodies," Mace hissed. Knightblade smirked.
"I'm so glad you said that. Now the entire galaxy can see you for who and what you really are," Knightblade stated. Mace fowned.
"What are you talking about?" Mace demanded to know.
"This entire exchange is and has been broadcasting live via the Holonet across the entire galaxy. Your cover is gone, Master Windu. Everyone, including Master Yoda, is now seeing you for who you really are," Knightblade hissed. Mace was stunned.
"You murder people, some of them children, because they have an ability they were born with! And you lead an entire organization that follows your every kill order. The only reason you took Talisibeth Esterhazy as your padawan was because she had the ability and you sought to kill her," Knightblade proclaimed. Shaak Ti gasped in horror.
"Master Windu...how could you?" Shaak Ti asked. But Mace ignored her.
"If the Xal'Kaar is exposed to the galaxy, then it's only fair I expose you, Anakin Skywalker," Mace hissed. Anakin smirked and tossed his mask away.
"I still think they'll be more interested in you and your lies," Anakin retorted. Mace smirked.
"Really? Because I think they may be interested in interviewing your wife...Senator Amidala about how she has known your identity all along and how you fathered her brats," Mace hissed.
"Leave Padme out of this," Anakin hissed.
"The gloves have come off, Skywalker," Mace retorted, as he ignited his lightsaber. Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, Hunter, and Shaak Ti followed suit, while Grievous escaped, Force jumping away.
"Ahsoka and I will handle the traitor. You three get the Chancellor and stop Grievous from escaping!" Obi-Wan ordered. Anakin really wanted to face Mace, but they needed a Force jumper to stop another Force jumper.
"Close your eyes Master Ti. You won't get so dizzy that way," Anakin said. Shaak did so and he jumped back to the elevator. Hunter followed with Artoo, who was still broadcasting the camera signals to the Holonet.
"I believe the Chancellor is being held in the top spire of the ship. Can you not jump there?" Shaak asked.
"Unfortunately, Hunter and I have to know the place we are jumping. Since we have never seen the top spire on this ship, we'll have to take the lift," Anakin replied.
Quinlan relished the shocked look on Mace's face, as the whole thing played out on the Holonet.
"I've been waiting a long time for the smug bastard to finally be exposed for what he is," Quinlan stated.
"Me too, I just hope the Jedi Council is watching," Padme replied.
"If they aren't, they'll have to soon enough. The Holonew reporters are probably salivating and lining up outside the Temple right now," Quinlan replied.
"The Xal'Kaar won't stand for this. You just made the targets on your backs much bigger," Gavin warned.
"Be quiet," Quinlan snapped.
"Yeah, because if you don't shut up, I'll be sure to tell them you told us everything about their whole operation," Padme threatened.
"The Holonet won't leave you alone either, Padme. Now the Holonet knows for a fact that Knightblade is your lover and father of your bastard children..." Gavin spounted, but a sleep suggestion from Quinlan stopped him.
"Thank you," Padme said gratefully, just as Jobal came into the room.
"Padme...it's all over the Holonews!" Jobal exclaimed. She sighed in frustration and the twins felt her irritation through the Force, whimpering from their playpin.
"Keep it down, Jo," Ruwee snapped, as he picked Leia up while Ari got Luke. Fortunately, Blake was still napping.
"You knew his identity the whole time!" Jobal accused.
"Because I knew I could trust daddy!" Padme retorted.
"And you, young lady, I suppose you know too!" Jobal accused Arianna. Pdame put her arm around Ari's shoulders.
"Leave her alone, Mother. You finally know everything so you should be happy now," Padme replied.
"The family name will be forever tarnished by this!" Jobal ranted. Ruwee was about to retort but Quinlan beat him to it.
"Oh you are unbelievable, woman!" Quinlan exclaimed.
"Lives potentially hang in the balance and you're worried about what your so-called friends will say?" Quinlan growled.
"Your daughter's husband and son are fighting for their lives and you're worried about the family name. Pathetic," Quinlan spat, effectively silencing a stunned Jobal.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Ari asked.
"We have to believe that they will. They've been training for this for a very long time," They'll come back to us...all of them," Padme tried to assure her.
Obi-Wan and Mace's lightsabers clashed furiously, as they shuffled along the corridor.
"It's not too late to come back to my side, Obi-Wan. Skywalker has deceived you. His powers are an abomination!" Mace exclaimed.
"There is no reason that makes what you do okay!" Obi-Wan snapped in return.
"You killed the real Kenobi's and have had your agents pose as my family all these years!" Obi-Wan roared.
"They weren't good for you, Obi-Wan! You were fortunate that their abominable powers didn't rub off on you!" Mace retorted.
"They were good people who had done nothing wrong. And you had them murdered!" Obi-Wan shouted.
"Trust me Obi-Wan, sooner or later, all Force Jumpers go bad," Mace responded.
"Oh? Like Scout? An innocent padawan? Tell me how a child is anything but innocent!" Obi-Wan refused, as their sabers locked.
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Mace hissed.
"Master Qui-Gon knew, didn't he? I uncovered secret messages from him. He knew what you were and you made sure he ended up dead!" Obi-Wan claimed.
"A Sith Lord killed your Master, Kenobi. I had nothing to do with that," Mace denied.
"Wrong again. I've done my research. Plo Koon and his padawan were originally dispatched to assist Naboo during the blockade. But at your suggestion, Qui-Gon and I were sent instead. It was in hopes that Qui-Gon would not survive the conflict, his messages he left behind for me told me that much," Obi-Wan accused.
"Make whatever claims you want, Kenobi. The end result will be the same," Mace said, delving deeply into Vaapad. Obi-Wan struggled to counter his aggressive style and Ahsoka jumped in to help.
Anakin, Hunter, and Shaak Ti spilled onto the bridge from the turbo lift and spotted Count Dooku himself guarding the Chancellor.
"Well, well, I was curious if I would run into you again, Knightblade. I must say that I'm surprised you've taken an interest in rescuing the Chancellor. Curious that you're not sporting your mask either," Dooku goaded.
"You'll have to go through me first," Dooku responded, as he ignited his blood red lightsaber. Anakin smirked.
"I'm so glad you said it like that," Anakin replied, as he ignited his lightsaber. They disappeared and their sabers clashed when they reappeared on the other side of the bridge. Each time they reappared, their blades struck each other, before they disappeared again. Shaak Ti found it very difficult to keep track and turned her attention to the the Chancellor.
"Chancellor Palpatine, are you all right?" she asked. Palpatine managed a thin smile.
"Yes Master Jedi, however, Grievous is still on the loose and Dooku will not be so easily defeated," Palpatine responded.
"Nevertheless, we must find our way to a shuttle," she said, as she started to lead him to the exit. Dooku caught sight of this and kicked Anakin away, before hurling Force lightning toward the vunerable Master. Hunter stepped in and countered with his own lightning, shocking everyone except Anakin, who took full advantage of the aging Count's shock. He subverted the lightning with his saber and disarmed him, taking off his hands in the process. Horrified pain swept through the aging Count, as he fell to his knees.
"Good...kill him," the Chancellor ordered. The Count looked at him, horrified that his secret Master was turning on him, though he knew he shouldn't have been surprised. But Anakin ignored him.
"We have a common enemy, but I need this war to end," Anakin said. Dooku prepared at that moment to die.
"But I won't kill you," Anakin said, as he grabbed the Count by the cloak and disappeared momentarily.
The two of them reappeared and Anakin forced Dooku into a room. Around him, the metal walls were electrified.
"Where have you taken me?" Dooku asked.
"That's none of your concern. Just know that you can't escape this place by Force jumping. We have a lot to talk about, but there's not time for that now," Anakin stated.
"What exactly could we have to talk about?" Dooku questioned. The entrance to the room was activated with electrified prison bars.
"Firstly, I have just outted Mace Windu and his entire operation to the galaxy. Secondly, we'll talk about the Sith Master and his identity when I return," Anakin replied.
"What makes you think that I'm not the Master?" Dooku questioned. Anakin smirked.
"You are but the apprentice, old man. The Master isn't like us. He doesn't have our powers, does he?" Anakin asked. Dooku was silent.
"I won't tell you anything," Dooku replied.
"Perhaps you'll speak to me then, old friend," Sifo-Dyas suggested, as he approached in his hover chair.
"I'll be back soon, Master," Anakin said. Sifo nodded.
"Mace Windu is sweating bullets. I wouldn't want you to miss his very public disgracing," Sifo replied. Anakin smirked and disappeared, leaving two old friends turned enemies to talk.
"Where did you take Count Dooku? He is war criminal," the Chancellor stated.
"Somewhere he can't escape. No Republic prison is equipped to keep him locked up, but fortunately, I know how to capture someone with my abilities," Anakin replied.
"Dad...Ahsoka isn't answering her comm," Hunter said.
"We'll go give them some help with Mace. He's desperate right now, which makes him lethal," Anakin replied.
"I should get the Chancellor to an escape pod," Shaak Ti suggested.
"That's impossible," Hunter said, as he stared out the view window. Anakin joined him to see what he was seeing.
"Someone launched them all," the teen said.
"Grievous," Anakin growled, as he saw the droid general piloting one, before it disappeared. At that moment, the ship tilted violently.
"Frack...change of plans," Anakin said, as he led them to the elevator.
"Get us to the control room, Artoo," he said.
The ship shuddered violently and Mace used the opportunity to throw Obi-Wan and Ahsoka away, before slipping into an elevator.
"Anakin...I've lost Mace. I think he's heading for the docking bay to escape," Obi-Wan said into his comlink.
"The ship has already taken heavy damage. I doubt he'll find a flyable ship, but let him try. I'm sending Hunter for you," Anakin replied. Hunter appeared and then disappeared with them in tow, before reappearing in the control room.
"Everyone strap in," Anakin ordered.
"Do you know how to fly a cruiser like this?" Obi-Wan asked.
"You mean do I know how to land what's left of this thing," Anakin quipped, as he took the controls.
"Well?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Well, under the circumstances, I'd say the ability to pilot this thing is irrelevant," he told his passengers.
"Open all hatches. Extend all flaps and drag fins," Anakin ordered. The ship broke in two, as it began to descend into the atmosphere. Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan.
"We lost something," Anakin stated.
"Not to worry, we are still flying half a ship," Obi-Wan replied.
"We're really picking up speed. Keep us level," Anakin said, as they entered the atmosphere.
"Steady," Obi-Wan said. Artoo let loose anxious clicks and whistles.
"Easy Artoo! I know," Anakin called.
"Five Thousand. Five ships on the left and the right," Obi-Wan reported. The ships around them deployed water to cool them down.
"The landing strip is right ahead," Obi-Wan informed.
"We're coming in too hot!" Hunter exclaimed. The ship jolted hard and Anakin gathered the Force around the massive ship, before jumping the entire thing and skidding to the ground safely.
"Another happy landing," Obi-Wan joked, with a grin.
Master Yoda sat quietly in solitude, acutely aware of the massive upheaval that was now upon them. The Senate was in uproar. The Holonet relentlessly pursued an answer from the Jedi, now camped permanently outside their Temple. In his nearly nine-hundred years of existence, Yoda had not been so thoroughly deceived and by one so close to him. He delved deeply into the Force and suddenly felt a presence he had not felt in a long time.
"I was beginning to wonder if the truth would ever see the light," the Force ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn stated.
"Know of this did you, before your death?" Yoda questioned with scrutiny.
"I don't appreciate your tone, Master. I warned you what a dangerous place Coruscant was. I warned you that our vision was clouded. You did not believe me and you wouldn't have believed me if I told you about Mace," Qui-Gon refuted.
"No, Anakin knew the only way anyone would believe it was to get Mace to admit it. So he waited for that exact opportunity and his patience finally paid off today," Qui-Gon added.
"Listening I am now. Lecture me if you must," Yoda grumped.
"I will not lecture you, Master. Mace has allies within the Temple. Identifying them now will be a painful task. But Anakin also has allies he is amassing to stop Mace's operation. He cannot be allowed to kill for his cause any longer," Qui-Gon stated.
"Lost he has become. Reach him...reason with him, I must try," Yoda insisted.
"He was raised from the time he was a small boy to hate Force jumpers and all associated with them. He is loyal to the Xal'Kaar first," Qui-Gon warned.
"Try I still must...but prepared for the worst, I will be," Yoda responded, as Qui-Gon faded away. Yoda got up and hobbled out of the room with his walking stick. It was time to face the debacle that was happening outside the safe walls of the Jedi Temple...