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 40! Thanks for all the great reviews. Sorry for the long delay in getting this chapter up. I had writer's block on this story for several months, but fortunately, I finally worked it out and decided on the route I want to take the story, so I hope you enjoy.

Force Jumper

Chapter 40: Horrific Truth

Padme sighed, as the Holonews reporter droned on with more reports of a staggering increase in homicides on various worlds. While the Holonet speculated, Padme knew the cause. The new Xal'Kaar leader had declared war on those like her husband and oldest son. As a result, dozens of slaughtered families had turned up over the last few weeks. She put the bottle down and gently cradled her daughter. Luke was already sleeping and she looked in his crib briefly, before grabbing the baby monitor and quietly closing the door. Blake was asleep as well and now she just wanted for Anakin and Hunter to come home.

Anakin felt bile rise in his throat, as acrid smoke filled the air around him and the sight of burned carnage around him assaulted his senses. He was glad he left Hunter behind on Solaris V this time. It was too much for him and was glad neither Padme nor his children would see this. He and Quinlan had been in pursuit of a pair of particularly nasty slavers that liked to poach young women and children from the small defenseless villages on an under developed farming planet in the outer rim. But they had come across something even worse, a new and regular occurrence in their recent travels and he felt his Master's indignation that it was no coincidence. This was the third family in two weeks that they had found dead. The ritualistic spilling of blood and then burning of the bodies signified that it was the Xal'Kaar for sure. It was likely that only one member of this family of five had been a Force Jumper. But it didn't matter. They had all been slaughtered in the name of the Xal'Kaar's twisted cleansing ritual.

"He's sending us a message," Quinlan finally spoke, breaking Anakin's focus.

"What? You mean the new leader? You think he did this one himself?" Anakin asked.

"It's just a gut feeling. Think about it. Mace didn't let other Force Jumpers get a pass, but the last few years, he's largely been focused on us," Quinlan replied.

"Then this is a message that no Force Jumper gets a pass anymore," Anakin deduced.

"He's taunting us, which means he's confident in his ability to take us on or rather you on," Quinlan added.

"Then he should just come after me instead of murdering innocent families," Anakin snapped angrily. Quinlan put a hand on his shoulder and Anakin took a deep breath, releasing his anger into the Force.

"We still have a couple of slavers to deal with," Quinlan reminded. Anakin nodded and they disappeared.

"I've got you on the ropes this time," Whie taunted, as his saber locked with Ahsoka's. Their sabers were on a low sparring frequency, but their intensity was anything but low. Ahsoka split his defenses and slipped away. Their sabers crashed together, as they shuffled along the full expanse of the gym floor. Whie went for a finishing move, but Ahsoka was ready.

"I can taste my victory," Whie said. But Ahsoka subverted his move and swept his legs out from under him.

"Does it taste like floor?" she teased, as she and Scout shared a laugh at his expense.

"Ugh...laughing at your husband is not nice," he complained, as Scout pulled him up.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, poor baby," she teased, with a kiss to his cheek.

"That was a good move, Tano. I almost had you," Whie said.

"You weren't even close. Married life is making you soft," Ahsoka teased. He shrugged.

"Maybe, but it's worth it," he replied, as he put his arm around Scout.

"You know, there's talk about making an exception for you two if you wanted to return to the Order. Some are still really against attachment, but there's a lot of argument that if we hadn't been so stagnant against change that Mace wouldn't have been able to deceive us for so long," Ahsoka stated.

"I don't know. If things change, I guess it could be a possibility," Scout replied.

"No," Whie said flatly, surprising them both.

"Whie?" she asked.

"I'm sorry Tally, but there is no way we could guarantee you'd be safe inside the Temple ever again. I'm banking on that there are still those loyal to the Xal'Kaar that weren't exposed. Anakin says they're everywhere and I won't chance losing you," he said with vehemence. He sighed.

"I'm sorry, I just don't think we'll ever truly be safe if we walk right back into the Nexu den. I'm going to hit the showers," he said, as he kissed her quickly and headed for the showers. Ahsoka smiled.

"He loves you so much," she said fondly. Scout smiled.

"I know. And I wish I could say he was wrong about the Temple, but I don't think he is," she replied. Ahsoka nodded in acceptance, before they headed for the female showers.

"His refusal to end this war is tiresome. Our Intel says that General Grievous hasn't been seen or heard from in months," Bana complained.

"The separatist organization and coordination suggest someone is still competently calling the shots, despite the whispers that Dooku has disappeared as well," Bail mentioned. Padme looked away for a moment. She didn't like lying to her friends about Dooku's whereabouts, but it was necessary. They were, however, just as much in the dark as the rest of the Republic when it came to Grievous as well.

"Padme, forgive my prying, but does your husband have any clues as the whereabouts of Grievous and Dooku?" Bail asked.

"Sithspit," Padme cursed internally, a bad habit she had picked up from her husband's frequent usage of the curse word.

"No, I'm afraid not. As you know, both Dooku and Grievous are Force Jumpers. While Dooku is easier to track, he has years of practice at eluding capture. As for Grievous, he leaves no jump scars behind when he jumps, because he is mostly machine. He's much more difficult to track, but my husband will not give up," Padme replied, feeling guilty since only the latter half of her explanation was true. They nodded in acceptance.

"The hour grows late. We should be going," Bana said, as they rose from their seats. Padme saw her friends out and wasn't surprised to see her husband come out from the file room in her office. She had felt his presence moments earlier. She noticed the forlorn look on his face and quickly closed the distance between them. He buried his face in her silky hair and held her tightly, afraid she would disappear if he let her go.

"I have to stop them, Padme. I can't let them keep killing innocent little families," he cried. Her own heart nearly broke, as she felt his raw pain and sorrow on her own heart.

"I wish there was something I could do," Padme said helplessly.

"You do more than you know, just by being here. I love you so much. I'd die if anything happened to you," he said, as he kissed her passionately.

"Let's go get our babies and go home," she suggested. He nodded and they disappeared, leaving Coruscant behind.

The Works

Kar Vastor's boots sounded thickly on the durasteel floor, as he entered the underground factory hidden beneath the old network of now abandoned warehouses. Scientists and engineers, all under Sidious' thumb, milled about working on various projects for the Dark Lord. But there was only one project that concerned Vastor and that was the newly improved machines they were working on to keep jump scars open longer and calculate their positions. It would allow him to log hiding locations of his most sought after adversaries.

"I hope progress has been made since our last visit," Vastor stated.

"Better than expected, My Lord. Not only can we now hold jump scars open for nearly seven minutes we can now detect some anomalies that the Jumpers cause when they use their powers," the scientist reported.

"Excellent. What if Knightblade attempts to use his device to erase his jump scars?" Vastor asked.

"Our machines will now open them back up," the scientist replied.

"Excellent. I want to test it as soon as possible," Vastor ordered.

Padme lay pinned beneath her husband in bed, as they exchanged tender, passionate kisses. Their skin glistened with afterglow and they were still blissfully connected with no desire to separate. Her entire body thrilled, as his lips traveled down her neck to her shoulder, earning him pleasured sighs and mewls.

"Oh Ani…" she cooed. He moved back up to her lips, capturing them in a passionate lock. He finally rolled beside her and spooned her against his hard, muscled body. She sighed in content. She had never imagined she would ever be so in love. The thought of the evil Xal'Kaar taking him or any of her babies from her made her shudder.

"Are you okay, angel?" he asked. She smiled and turned to him.

"I'm always perfect, as long as I'm with you," she replied.

"Good, cause I have to make sure our love life doesn't get boring," he teased.

"That is not even a remote possibility," she replied, as she brushed his bangs from his eyes.

"I could make love to you for eternity and it would never be enough," he said.

"I feel the same...though I could go for a post lovemaking snack," she hinted. He smirked.

"Me too, especially if we're going to continue. But if we go down there in ruffled clothes and hair, we'll have to endure Master Quin's wisecracks," Anakin replied.

"Ani...the kids are in bed and you can jump us anywhere. I'd say we can pop out for a bit," she suggested.

"I love the way you think," he said, as he jumped them home to their bedroom at Varykino. She yelped, as he tackled his lips with his own, their passion swelling between them again.

"You get the wine and snacks from the kitchen and meet me in the hot tub," she whispered sultrily. They parted only briefly, before reuniting for a continued night of love and passion…

Mace raised his hand and the Holoscreen went dark. All that remained of his regime was hiding in this bunker on Dantooine. It consisted of himself, Adi Gallia, four other loyal non Jedi operatives and two elders, Soren and Elpha, two that had guided Mace much of his life, during his reign as Xal'Kaar leader.

"A Sith as leader of our great regime is a mockery of all we are," Elpha mentioned.

"Vastor thinks he has won, but we are far from defeated. His treachery will not go unpunished," Soren stated.

"Forgive me elder, but I do not believe we are in any position to challenge him, especially with Sith behind him," Mace replied.

"There is someone that could help us. Someone who also has a vested interest and reason to bring the Sith down," Soren stated. Mace looked at him and his face hardened in defiance.

"No...absolutely not. You can't be serious!" Mace hissed.

"We do not like it either, but we believe Vastor and his alliance with the Sith pose a greater threat to our survival than Skywalker does now," Soren said.

"And the same is true for Skywalker. Vastor is the bigger threat and any kind of truce we came to would only be temporary," Elpha added.

"No...I don't care what we are facing. We cannot strike any kind of truce with that abomination," Mace hissed.

"I agree with Master Windu. Skywalker is just as dangerous as Vastor and the Sith," Adi agreed.

"Then how do you suggest we proceed?" Elpha asked.

"I have been preparing for something like this for a very long time," Mace said, as he rose from his seat.

"Where are you going?" Soren asked.

"To prepare our ship. We are leaving," Mace stated.

"For where?" Elpha asked.

"The location is unimportant. It's about what's there and you'll find that out when we get there," Mace said cryptically.

Two Days Later…

Anakin returned home to Yavin IV after a long day of training with Hunter on Solaris V. He had left his teenaged son behind with his friends for now and came to see if the stoic Count had anything to offer, though he was sure he would be as silent as ever. He smiled, as he saw Blake diligently working on his school work.

"Hey son, you're working hard. More studies from Threepio?" Anakin asked.

"Hi Dad. No, Mr. Dooku gave me these puzzles to solve," Blake replied. Anakin looked perplexed.

"Puzzles?" he asked, as Sifo, Quinlan Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Dooku himself all entered the room.

"What puzzles are you giving my son?" Anakin demanded of the Count.

"He is a very bright and gifted boy. He may have no Force abilities, but the Senator is molding him into quite the little scholar," Dooku replied, darting around the question. Obi-Wan peered over Blake's shoulder.

"Blake, may I see your electronic pad?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Sure," Blake replied, as Obi-Wan picked it up.

"You're giving him puzzles to translate from Huttese?" Obi-Wan asked. The Count looked indifferent.

"For his age, knowing six language already is remarkable," Dooku replied.

"These are all Clone commands," Obi-Wan stated.

"What do you mean?" Anakin asked.

"These are all commands that the Jedi issue to the Clones...except this one," Obi-Wan replied.

"Order 66?" Anakin asked.

"What does that one mean? Anakin questioned.

"I don't know. It's not a Jedi command. Six series are classified executive orders," Obi-Wan replied.

"Perhaps you should let Blake finish the puzzle on that last one," Dooku suggested. Anakin fumed.

"Why can't you just tell us?" Anakin snapped.

"If you can't see what is right in front of you, then there is no point. However, the boy is very astute and his vision is less...clouded," Dooku said cryptically. Anakin rolled his eyes.

"Blake...go ahead and figure this one out. I think this one might be the most important," Obi-Wan instructed.

"Don't ever use one of my kids again in your damn agenda," Anakin warned the Count sternly, as they waited for Blake to finish.

Coruscant

"His refusal is tiresome. This war has bankrupted us and displaced billions," Padme lamented, as she and a few of her colleagues strolled through the atrium of the Senate rotunda in route to the landing pad.

"The Separatists still seem quite organized though. Grievous and Dooku may not be leading them any longer, but they appear to have some kind of competent leadership," another Senator commented.

"Be that as it may, his blatant refusal to restore power to the Senate is growing more and more suspicious by the day," Bail interjected.

"Senator Organa is correct. It would be drastic, but we must consider a vote of no confidence," Padme added.

"That's treasonous!" another exclaimed.

"Palpatine has far exceeded his term limitations. I would say a vote of no confidence, while drastic, could be in order," Bana defended.

"There will be backlash, but I think we may have to pursue drastic measures at this point," Bail suggested. Padme nodded.

"An interesting conversation, Senators," a voice interrupted. Commotion erupted on the landing pad, as Asaaj Ventress appeared before them.

Padme went rigid, as she stared at the monster that had kidnapped her children not so long ago.

Relax Senators, I'm only here to deliver a message," she hissed, as she tossed an object at their feet. They were stunned to see the metal face of General Grievous now at their feet.

"So you're leading the Separatist army now," Bail accused.

"Naturally. Grievous was a fool and had long outlived his usefulness," Ventress replied.

"And Dooku? Did you dispose of him too?" Bana asked. Ventress smirked, looking evilly at Padme.

"No…I don't know where the dear Count is. Perhaps you should ask the lovely Senator Amidala about the whereabouts of the illustrious Count Dooku," she replied, as she slipped away, as the Clone soldiers arrived.

"Padme, what is she talking about?" Bail asked. Before she could provide an answer, they noticed none other than Gavin Jothra approaching with two Clone soldiers, wearing a smug smirk.

"How in Sith hell are you out of prison?" Padme demanded to know.

"Chancellor Palpatine has pardoned me," Gavin replied smugly.

"What?" Padme exclaimed.

"He did, however, send me to place you under arrest," Gavin replied.

"On what grounds?" Bail demanded to know.

"We have reason to believe that the Senator and her husband have been harboring Count Dooku," Gavin stated.

"Do you have proof of such ludicrous claims?" Bana demanded. Gavin paused.

"No...but it's a war crime. We don't need proof to file charges," Gavin stated, as the Clones put Padme in stun cuffs. Her colleagues were left stunned, as she was led away.

"I need to find a way to contact Anakin," Bail said.

"Sabe will know how. We must contact her first," Bana replied, as she and Bail hurried back inside the building to her office.

Yavin IV

"I think I've almost got it, dad," Blake said, as he worked on the translation.

"That's great son, I don't mean to rush you," Anakin apologized.

"It's okay, I know it's important. Do you know when Mommy is coming home?" he asked. Anakin smiled. Blake and Padme shared a very special bond.

"I'm going to get her very soon. Her meeting should be about over," Anakin replied, as the secure comm chimed. Only a few people had the frequency and encryption for the secure comm system they had on Yavin IV.

He answered and they were alarmed to see a frantic Sabe, with Bail Organa and Bana Breemu flanking her.

"Anakin...you need to turn on the Holonet now," Sabe said urgently.

"Sabe…what's going on? Where's Padme?" he asked, as Quinlan turned on the screen. The words that scrawled across the news broadcast made his heart sink with dread.

"Senator Amidala…arrested?!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.

"What do you mean arrested?!" Anakin roared.

"They said they have reason to believe you and Padme are harboring Count Dooku. They said they don't need proof to file charges, since it's considered a war crime," Bail stated.

"Who ordered it?" Anakin demanded to know.

"The Chancellor himself. He has pardoned Gavin Jothra as well. The smug slimy worm delivered the warrant himself," Bana added.

"Anakin…tell me it's not really true?" Bail asked. Anakin sighed in exasperation.

"They can't hold him like I can. I know how to keep someone like me in one place. He has information and you know as well as I do that he'd never even make it to a Republic prison alive," Anakin defended.

"Dad…I think I've got it!" Blake called.

"It's bad…" Blake said, as he handed the electronic pad to Anakin, who felt a stab of sheer horror, as he read the words that were the description of Order 66.

"Anakin, you're white as a sheet. What does it mean?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Who did you say can execute six series orders?" Anakin asked.

"They're executive orders. Only the Chancellor himself and they are classified," Obi-Wan reiterated.

"Order 66 instructs the Clones to hunt down and kill all Jedi and any allied with them," Anakin stated.

"WHAT?!" several exclaimed, as Anakin's eyes locked on the stoic Count.

"It's been him all along, hasn't it?" Anakin asked. The Count remained expressionless.

"Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord we have been looking for…and now he's likely in league with the Xal'Kaar somehow," Anakin stated gravely.

"Blind we are, if see this, we could not," Yoda said sadly.

"You and Ahsoka need to evacuate the Temple and sent an alert out to all Jedi in the field," Anakin told Obi-Wan.

"Yes...and I suppose you'll just go charging into the prison to break out Padme?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, I'm not leaving her in that place," Anakin replied.

"If the Chancellor is indeed working with the Xal'Kaar, then arresting Padme could just be one big trap for you and Hunter," Obi-Wan warned.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not leaving my wife in that horrible place. And I'll be bringing more than just Hunter with me," Anakin said, as he disappeared. Obi-Wan sighed.

"I need the three of you to stand by. Anakin will be back with reinforcements and we'll be on Coruscant soon," Obi-Wan said. Bail nodded.

"We'll be waiting," Bail responded, as the transmission went dark.

"Palpatine...all this time," Quinlan said in disbelief, before glaring at the Count.

"If innocent people die because you didn't tell us what you knew, then I'll make sure I stuff you in some dark hole of a planet where no one will ever hear from you again," Quinlan threatened. Dooku seemed unfazed by his threat.

"Uncle Quin...is Mommy okay?" Blake asked. Quinlan knelt beside the little boy.

"Your dad would never let anything bad happen to your mommy," he promised. He just hoped they could stop the atrocity that Palpatine and his mysterious new apprentice had planned...