Disclaimer: It used to be George's sandbox. It is now Disney's. I just play here in my own little AU corner. :)
AN: Here's chapter 39! Thanks for all the great reviews.
Force Jumper
Chapter 39: Smoke and Mirrors
"It's inconceivable!" Sio Bibble exclaimed.
"With all due respect, Senator, you have brought scandal to your office. To continue to allow you to serve would bring question on us all," he argued. Anakin glared at him and he glared back, not even trying to hide his contempt for the vigilante.
"Who I am married to hardly diminishes my ability to serve my people," Padme argued in return.
It had been two weeks since Mace's very public exposure and subsequently Anakin's identity being revealed as well. The Holonet was still salivating over all of it. The Holo-tabloid headlines were even worse, each more ludicrous than the last. Mace was in the wind, as reports of him being chased off Haruun Kal had surfaced. That meant a new leader of the Xal'Kaar that Anakin had yet to identify. In a pure move of revenge, Mace had leaked a list of names to the Holonet of those that had contributed to his cause for years, resulting in many arrests and even more investigations for misappropriation of funds from dozens of organizations. Fortunately, they turned Senator Gavin Jothra over and he was looking at charges as well.
"Your Majesty, if you want my resignation, I will give it, but I believe I can still adequately serve my people. My family life is personal and really should have no bearing on my professional life," Padme stated.
"It is not that simple, Senator. Certain expectations must be met by our representatives and one of them is not marrying some vigilante riffraff!" Sio Bibble spat.
"You are out of line, Governor. Anakin is my husband and I will not tolerate your insults. He deserves your respect or have you forgotten it was he as a boy that destroyed the droid control ship, not to mention the countless lives he has saved with his powers since," Padme said.
"I concur with Padme. We should welcome Anakin with graciousness. The gossip of the Holonet should not lead our decisions. I am not calling for your resignation, Senator," the Queen stated eloquently.
"Thank you, your Majesty," Padme said graciously. Sio Bibble threw up his hands and stormed off, clearly displeased. Anakin smirked. Two strong women like the Queen and his angel made that old codger no match. They bowed to the Queen and exited her Throne Room.
"Are you sure you're ready for the circus that awaits us on Coruscant tomorrow?" he asked with concern.
"As ready as I can be," she replied.
"I wish it hadn't come out like it did. I never wanted them to drag you through the mud like they are," he lamented.
"We've been over this, Ani. I love you and you are worth any trials and tribulations I must face. You are far more important to me than public image or perception," Padme replied, as she took his hands in her own. He looked down, once again humbled by her unconditional love. She stepped closer, squelching the daylight and kissed him passionately. Unfortunately, the moment was soured by a few reporters that were lurking around the palace, hoping for a glimpse of them, which they captured with their holo cameras.
"I swear...they're everywhere, like sand. And you know how much I hate sand," Anakin grumbled. Padme giggled.
"Maybe, but we can be anywhere else in an instant," she reminded. He smirked and took her hand, leaving the astonished reporters behind as they disappeared.
The man crumpled to the floor from the hole in his abdomen. His wife and children already lay dead near him and the assailant extinguished his crimson lightsaber, as he extracted a vibro dagger from its scabbard.
"They...were innocent," he rasped.
"You are an abomination, Force Jumper. They were by association, Force blind and insignificant," he said, as he grabbed the man by his hair.
"There is a new leader of the Xal'Kaar now and there will be no more letting even the insignificant ones like you survive while the old leader chases one extraordinary one. No more will there be a stalemate between Force Jumper and Xal'Kaar. I will eradicate you all," Vastor hissed, as he slit the man's throat and let the body fall dead in its own pool of blood. He lit a cloth he had doused in fuel on fire and tossed it to the floor. Within minutes, the house was engulfed and Vastor slipped into the shadows.
Anakin and Padme appeared home on Yavin IV. They were still getting used to Dooku's presence with them. He said little and betrayed no emotion, but he had yet to try to escape. Anakin knew it was likely because both the Sith Master and the Xal'Kaar likely had hits out on him.
"So, how did it go with the Queen?" Quin asked.
"She didn't ask for my resignation and wishes for me to continue to serve, though I believe Governor Bibble was most upset about her decision," Padme replied.
"Ever the bureaucrat. Bibble was a good man going into politics, but he lost his spine a long time ago. He has become irrelevant during the war. I'd bet a hundred credits that he has implored the Queen to replace you in favor of him. A Senator has much more power and influence," Quinlan deduced.
"A Senator that would lick Palpatine's boots is the last thing Naboo needs," Anakin commented.
"Fortunately, Apilana sees right through him," Padme said gratefully.
"The Republic is dying, Senator, yet you continue to support its archaic ways," Dooku finally spoke.
"The Republic can be saved. The war has destroyed it, but if it ends and the power is given back to the people, it can be salvaged and eventually flourish once again," Padme argued.
"The people elected the representatives that have destroyed it in the first place," Dooku argued.
"So turning to the Sith is the answer? Anakin questioned.
"The deterioration of the Republic called for a new order. The Sith would simply provide a means to bring a revolution," Dooku explained.
"You intended to use the Sith to further your own agenda then and somewhere along the way, you simply became their tool of destruction," Anakin replied. Dooku gave him a sharp glance.
"You could never understand such things, boy," Dooku spat.
"The dark side is seductive. You were arrogant to believe you could resist it. Playing with the Sith is like playing with fire. You can and will get burned," Sifo-Dyas said wisely.
"Thank you for your advice, but I assure you old friend, that I had everything under control until your foolish apprentice's interfered!" Dooku said, raising his voice.
"You would have never made it off the Imperial Hand alive if it hadn't been for Anakin. Your Master has probably already replaced you with a new, much younger and more powerful apprentice. And even though Mace is out as leader of the Xal'Kaar, he'd love to serve your head up on a silver platter to the Republic to gain even a sliver of his image back. And the new leader of the Xal'Kaar wants you dead as well," Quinlan stated, earning a glare from the elder man.
"Face it, Count. We are the only people that can keep you alive, so you had better start making yourself useful," Anakin spat.
"You won't kill me," the Count retorted.
"You're right, I won't kill you but I know a lot of dark corners in the galaxy to drop you where you might never be heard from again. How many bounty hunters do you think the Sith Master has hired? Force jumping will only get you so far, especially when you can't jump planets," Anakin goaded.
"You insolent brat…" Dooku growled.
"Tell me Count, do you have many jump sites on Tatooine? Cause I know a cozy little place out in the Dune sea, home to the Tusken raiders and a particularly nasty pit where a Sarlaac lives," Anakin continued. Quinlan chuckled.
"The Count is speechless. That's no easy feat," Quinlan remarked. Dooku ignored him.
"I told Obi-Wan what he needed to know a long time ago," Dooku stated.
"You never told me anything of the sort," Obi-Wan refuted.
"Think back to Geonosis, my friend," Dooku retorted. Obi-Wan looked puzzled for a moment.
"All you told me was that Qui-Gon Jinn would have never gone along with the corruption in the Senate if he knew the truth," Obi-Wan recalled.
"The truth?" Anakin asked.
"Obi-Wan?" Quinlan asked.
"And you said that the Senate was under the control...of the Dark Lord of the Sith. But that's impossible!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. It couldn't be true...how could they not know if it was?
"Yes...hundreds of Senators are under Sidious' control," Dooku said, enjoying the satisfaction of their shock.
"The dark side has clouded your vision, Master Yoda and those other fools on the Council," Dooku hissed.
"You've known something like this these last two weeks and you're just now saying something?" Anakin exclaimed.
"There's no way that all Senators are under his control. I am certainly not," Padme stated with vehemence. He spared her a glance.
"And is it a wonder to you as to why so many have tried to silence you?" Dooku questioned. Padme became pensive at his words.
"It is to your credit, Senator. While I think your pacifist views are foolish and naive, you have true character and strength of will to be able to resist the influence of the dark side," Dooku said. Padme glanced peculiarly at him. Was Count Dooku, leader of the Separatists, paying her a compliment?
"It seems the consensus regarding you is either people love you or hate you so much that they will spend a small fortune to see a blaster bolt put in your skull," Dooku sneered.
"Watch it Dooku," Anakin growled.
"Once again, your foolish emotions for her have distracted you from the real objective," Dooku stated. But Padme, nor Sifo had forgotten his implications.
"Is it just Senators under the Sith influence?" Padme questioned. Dooku smirked.
"She's smarter than all of you put together," Dooku goaded.
"So the Chancellor is under the control of the Sith then as well," Sifo-Dyas said, letting that information process
"If we destroy Grievous, then that will end the war. Palpatine would have no choice but to lay aside his emergency powers. If he didn't, it would be extremely suspicious," Quinlan said.
"Yes...it could force the Master out from his hiding place," Sifo said in deep contemplation. He and Yoda seemed to sense something else, but they were not sharing the information yet.
"Where is Grievous?" Anakin demanded to know.
"If I didn't know two weeks ago, what makes you think I know now?" Dooku questioned with a smug smirk. Anakin glared at the old man.
"Tell me again why I can't drop him in a volcano on Malastare?" Anakin asked.
"Hey, I'm all for it, but Master Sifo said no," Quinlan replied.
"Though he may deserve it, you're not dropping him in a volcano," Padme told her husband.
"Just remember Count, that it is my foolish pacifist ways that will probably end up saving your skin," Padme told him with a bit of satisfaction. Anakin smirked.
"Where are the kids?" Padme asked.
"Blake is with Threepio, studying and the twins are napping," Quinlan said, clearly quite pleased with himself.
"And Hunter?" she asked.
"He and Ari are off somewhere training I think," Quinlan replied.
"You think?" Padme asked, suddenly making Quinlan a little nervous with her "Mom" voice.
"I'm sure they're fine, angel," Anakin assured her.
"I'm sure. They're good kids, but they're still teenagers and it's getting late," Padme said, prompting him.
"She has a point. He is your son, after all," Quinlan chimed in. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"I'll go find them," Anakin replied, as he disappeared.
"Ready?" Hunter asked. She nodded and he threw the stone into the distance. Ariana concentrated and using the Force, she stopped it and floated it back to him.
"You're getting really good," he complimented. Her cheeks pinked a little
"Thanks," she replied. She gazed into his stormy blue eyes and felt her knees go weak, as he slowly lowered his lips to hers. She had never been in love before. She was only sixteen after all, but she was positive that it felt like this. He was so handsome, but sweet and not a complete jerk like some other boys her age that she knew back home. Her heart skipped a beat just when he looked at her. As their lips parted, she smiled and him and he smiled back shyly. She bit her bottom lip, as awkward silence ensued.
"Um...we should probably get back to saber training," Ari suggested. Hunter nodded, as his dad appeared on the cliff near where they were training, making his son nearly jump out of his skin.
"Dad...you're back already," Hunter said.
"It's almost dinner time," Anakin replied.
"Oh...we were training. Guess we lost track of time," Hunter said. Anakin smirked.
"Uh huh, let's go home," Anakin said. Ari nodded, as she jumped first.
"Nice shade of pink lip gloss," Anakin commented, enjoying watching his son turn crimson in embarrassment.
"Dad…" Hunter complained, as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Anakin chuckled, as they jumped home
The next day, Anakin helped Padme wade through the sea of Holonet reporters outside the Senate building. Anakin could have jumped them to her office, but they were already accusing her of hiding and Padme wanted to show them that she was most certainly not ashamed of him.
"Senator, how long have you been privy to information about Mace Windu's alternate life?" one shouted.
"Senator, have your toddlers become Force jumpers yet?" another asked.
"My personal life has no bearing on my professional career and my children are not a subject I will discuss with you," Padme responded.
"Senator...did you know that your husband was a former slave when you married him?" another asked. It was done with malicious intent and Padme recognized the man as a reporter for one of the trashiest Holotab publications on Coruscant. She paused and in a rare action, turned to address them directly.
"My husband is a person. His name is Anakin Skywalker and he is the most amazing man I've ever met. He is a hero who has saved countless lives and will save countless more. And most of all, he is a wonderful husband and father so you can print that in your trashy publication," she stated firmly. They were stunned and even Anakin was as well, as she rarely spoke to the press and for her to declare such things to them shocked and amazed him. She took his hand and he knew she wanted away from them. They disappeared and reappeared in her office.
"I swear...those Holonet vultures are the worst filth in the galaxy," Padme huffed, noticing the look of awe on her husband's face.
"Ani…" she uttered.
"You...you didn't have to talk to them for my satisfaction, angel. I know how you always say that they twist words to print their lies," he said. Padme softened and put her arms around his neck.
"I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm not going to let them try to degrade you in front of me and not have harsh words for them," she replied, as she pressed a tender kiss to his lips.
"You and our children are what matters most to me, no question," she added. He smiled at her as her office door opened, revealing Bana Breemu.
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt. Your assistant said that I could go right in," Mon said awkwardly
"It's fine Bana," Padme replied.
"I'll see you tonight," Anakin said, kissing her cheek before disappearing.
"It's good to have you back," Bana said.
"Thanks Mon, but not many agree with you, I'm afraid," Padme replied.
"Please...who you are married to has nothing to do with your work in the Senate," Bana refuted.
"Thank you for understanding," Padme said gratefully.
"Any woman with a pulse would understand," Bana blurted out and then realized what she had said aloud. Padme laughed.
"I'm sorry, that was terribly inappropriate of me," Bana said.
"Don't be, you should hear the gossip hens discuss him on the Holonet," Padme quipped. Padme smiled, as she sat down. Bail soon joined them for their meeting, after he too congratulated Padme on her marriage, making it a point to tell her that she should not listen to any of the naysayers.
The Holonet was still camped out as close to the Jedi Temple as they could get. It had been two weeks since the debacle had begun and equally as long since Masters Yoda, Obi-Wan and Shaak Ti had set foot on Coruscant. Naturally, to avoid giving them the spectacle they wanted, Anakin jumped them inside the Temple atrium, the only place he vaguely remembered from his one visit, besides the Council Room where he had been rejected, of course. He was reluctant to even come here. Many allied with Mace Windu had fled, their sudden absences automatically revealing their true allegiance. However, he knew some would have remained behind if their cover was still intact. There was no telling who was still leading a double life until those individuals chose to tip their hands.
Their sudden appearance caused traffic in the halls and atrium to come to a standstill and silence to fill the chamber. Fortunately, Master Fisto eagerly approached with a contagious smile he was known for.
"Masters, it's so good to have you back," Kit greeted.
"Good to return, it is, Master Fisto," Yoda greeted in return.
"How is everything?" Shaak Ti asked.
"To be honest, Mace's betrayal has cut deeply. There is much uncertainty in the ranks," Aayla Secura chimed in.
"My presence here might not be the best idea then," Anakin said.
"On the contrary, Anakin. We would all still be in the dark if not for your involvement," Kit said.
"Thank you Master Fisto, but I'm not sure some will agree," Anakin replied.
"Perhaps, but it is important at this time that the Council be united and we agree mostly that your unique abilities make you a valuable ally," Kit said. Anakin smiled.
"Mostly?" he asked. Kit and Aayla smiled.
"There are a few that are leery. Master Windu's treachery has shaken nearly everything they believe in, after all," Kit said. Anakin nodded in understanding.
"There's no telling what he will do now either. He's been ousted from his leadership of the Xal'Kaar. That makes him even more dangerous. Plus, it also means there is a new leader, whose identity remains unknown," Anakin said.
"And you are certain that going to Haruun Kal to reason with them will do no good?" Aayla asked.
"No, because they don't believe what they do is wrong. It's so ingrained into them from the time they are small children that all Force Jumpers are abominations and must be eliminated. Those not native to Haruun Kal might be swayed away from their cause, especially now with all the scrutiny," Anakin explained.
"Anakin's right. It is unfortunate, but I believe negotiations with them would be impossible," Obi-Wan chimed in.
"Will Whie and Scout be returning to us?" Aayla asked.
"Probably not. They've broken your code by marrying and they enjoy the work they do, training young Force jumpers in saber training," Anakin replied honestly. Aayla nodded sadly. She would gladly make an exception for them, but she was sure many on the Council would not make a concession for them, especially since it involved romantic attachment. They were already leery enough of Anakin, with all his extraordinary powers compounded with having a family. Times were changing though and she only hoped they could change with them.
"Did you get any useful information from Count Dooku?" Fisto asked.
"He's been mostly uncooperative, but suggested that most of the Senate, including the Chancellor are under Sith control. As unbelievable as it sounds, I'm inclined to believe him. There is an elusive darkness I've felt on Coruscant for a long time," Anakin said, stunning them.
"I didn't want to believe it either. But we may have to face the reality that our ability to use the Force has diminished here on Coruscant," Obi-Wan reasoned.
"But…could our vision really be so clouded?" Aayla asked. Yoda's ears dipped sadly.
"Afraid so, I am," he replied.
"Then we still do not know his identity?" Kit asked. Anakin shook his head.
"Dooku is still being uncooperative on that front. Not even Master Sifo can get him to reveal the Sith Master's identity. I feel that if I can find and defeat Grievous, it will force the Master's hand though," Anakin replied.
"But Grievous has not been seen or heard from since Dooku's capture," Shaak Ti added.
"I'm sure that's no coincidence. Grievous is useful as the field commander, but he's no Sith, nor nearly as powerful as Dooku," Obi-Wan said.
"Then you think the Sith Master will replace him with a new apprentice?" Shaak Ti asked.
"I'm almost certain he already has," Anakin replied.
"We must remain vigilant then," Kit agreed.
"I should be going," Anakin said. They nodded.
"Anakin…for what is it worth, I voted in favor of your training years ago," Kit told him. Anakin smiled.
No hard feelings, Master. It was for the best anyway. I would have broken the code ten times over by now," Anakin replied. He nodded with a smile, as Anakin disappeared.
Mustafar
General Grievous hobbled down the ramp of his ship. He had been summoned to Mustafar's droid factory by the dark Lord. He had been laying low since the debacle on the Imperial Hand and expected to find Master Dooku inside with new orders for him. But he was in for a rude awakening. As he jumped inside the compound, he was assaulted with ten thousand volts of electricity. He stared up into the yellow eyes of Asaaj Ventress and another cloaked figure.
"You…" Grievous rasped at the vindictive wench that was his Master's top assassin.
"Yes...me. I'm afraid you've been demoted, General," she hissed.
"Master...Tyrannus will not stand...for this…" Grievous rasped. He was trying to Force jump, but the after effects of the electromagnetic pulse he had been hit with made it impossible.
"Tyrannus is no longer in charge...I am," the cloaked figure dropped his hood, revealing the Sithly yellow eyes of Kar Vastor.
"As if Force jumping wasn't an abomination in of itself, your creators had to go pervert nature even further by creating some freakish organic machine. No such perversion will lead my army," Vastor spat, as he poured Grievous full or Force lightning. The General tried to scurry away on all fours, resembling a mechanical spider. Vastor was utterly disgusted and offended by Grievous' very existence and Sidious had needed little convincing that he had long outlived his usefulness. On his Master's orders, he would end this abomination and replace him rightfully so with Ventress.
"Scurry away like the diseased womp rat you are, Grievous. Your fate is sealed," Ventress hissed.
"No sniveling wench like you is going to defeat me…" Grievous hissed, as he extracted a lightsaber from his cloak. But he would never get the chance to ignite it, for his chest was exploding in pain. Vastor was using the Force to crush the only organic part of him that was left.
"You are such an abomination that there isn't even any blood to spill…" Vastor said angrily, as he pried the General's chest cavity open, spying the tiny shriveled organ.
"I guess this will have to do," he hissed, as he plunged a blade into the organic tissue and shredded it.
"Dispose of this trash," he ordered. Ventress ordered the droids to clean up the mess and she accompanied them out to the cliff side where she happily watched them dump the remains into the lava river below, but not before she saved his metal face as a souvenir.
"I'll enjoy showing this to my future victims…" she said, as she retreated back inside the compound. A new order had dawned with her and Master Vastor in charge...and they would lay waste to all that opposed the great Master Sidious, starting with Knightblade and all his Force jumper friends...