Chapter 5

The carbon realisation rod was kinked. One of the landing struts was rusted almost completely through. The starboard wing had three warped panels. The engines were completely fried and needed to be replaced. There was an abandoned mynock nest frying the lighting rods. And the pilot's chair had a seriously annoying squeak. All in all, the freighter was just what Anakin had been looking for. His days in the Temple were becoming monotonous. Sure, he found ways to keep busy, including a very recent and very monotonous trip to Anacondia, but when Caloc Tiac had knocked on his door asking for help with a ship, he couldn't say no. When he had seen the dilapidated freighter, he was hooked.

"Can you pass me the hydroid manipulator cuff?", he asked the younger padawan. Immediately, the part landed in his hand, and Anakin manoeuvred it into the tight space underneath the engine, clicking it in place beside the energy regulator. Rolling out from under the confined area, he looked up at Caloc, who had hooked his legs over one of the fuel lines and was dangling upside down while he rewired one of the fire suppression system's controls. There had been a near-fatal incident where the suppressant gas had nearly choked one of the technicians helping them, and they were hoping to avoid another incident. Anakin grabbed a nearby rag and started scrubbing some of the grease from his hands, "You know, when you asked me to help you repair a ship, I thought that you meant your starfighter."

"Disappointed?", Caloc asked, "Can you throw me the hyperspanner?"

"Disappointed? No.", Anakin fiddled with the toolbox, trying to find the requested tool. "This is way better than your starfighter. I could fix that in my sleep. I never get to do this kind of thing anymore. Too busy, I guess. But there is some bad news. Your starboard engine needs to be completely replaced."

"Huh?", Caloc flipped down to the floor, "Why?"

"Well, it's completely fried.", Anakin gestured at the diagnostic. "From what you explained, I think that whatever you did to get back here may have exposed the core and melted the wiring."

"So, no long-term trips then?", Caloc grinned at him.

"No trips at all until you replace it.", Anakin shrugged, "You would be inviting a painful death."

"Comes with the job, unfortunately.", Grabbing a datapad, Caloc scrolled through the list of parts. "It's a rare engine."

"Yeah.", Anakin leaned over his shoulder, "A Zeepon-9, unless I'm mistaken. That's practically an antique."

"It's a Zeepon-10, actually.", Caloc muttered, "Whoever this freighter belongs to, they wanted the additional speed the Z-10 could give them. They upgraded the engine's internal parts, but kept most of the outer shell to save money."

"A Zeepon-10 is even harder to find.", Anakin frowned.

"I know a guy on Menach who could make one from scratch.", Caloc gave a small smile, "But I doubt that he'll have it ready by tomorrow. I'll contact him and have him send it to the Temple. Tula and Meena can install it once it arrives."

"Can you contact him, or do we need to see him personally?", Anakin asked, bouncing from foot to foot in anticipation. A trip to see an elusive mechanic? This job just got better.

"Planning to just leave, my young padawan?", a deep voice interrupted. The two padawans turned to see a tall, auburn-haired man stand in the doorway behind them, sratching his beard as he studied them. "I would ask for permission from your Master first."

"Master Kenobi.", Caloc hurriedly stood up and bowed, "What are you doing here?"

"I came by to grab you both.", The older Master grinned, "We have a mission to prepare for."

"A mission?", Anakin dropped the wrench, letting it clatter loudly to the floor. "Where are we going?"

Obi-Wan frowned at the noise, "Pantora. We are part of the relief team going to help the populace in the wake of their… latest issues."

The Works were a decommissioned area of Coruscant. Formerly full of busy, bustling manufacturing plants, the toxic emissions had made the area unliveable. Now abandoned, it was surrounded by a tall, electrified wall, stopping most the planet's population from entering. The only people who lived inside the wall were the Kamoi, a forgotten species caught by the toxic environment. They had become the stuff of children's bedtime tales (exclusive those told by mean fathers).

In the centre of the Works stood the Overseers Tower. High above the toxic cloud, it was the only area with semi-clean, breathable air. Dooku looked around him, taking in the refurbished décor of the tower. The metal had been scrubbed and air refreshers cycled out most of the toxic environment. The air here was almost refreshing, if not for the smell of purifying chemicals.

"You did this?", he asked the hooded figure standing near the window.

The dark figure turned to look at him. His features were hidden by the deep cowl, and the silvery hilt of a lightsabre hung from his belt. Only the ember glow of his eyes belied his true power. "Of course not!", he snapped out, then calmer, "I had droids do it for me."

"Still, it is quite impressive.", Dooku frowned as he circled the establishment, "But surely you did not ask me away from my duties on Serrano just to show me a refurbished tower."

"You show an improved understanding of my tactics, my apprentice.", the hooded man cackled, gesturing to a long table that surrounded a stone basin, "But enough of this topic. I believe that we have a situation."

"A problematic one?", Dooku folded his arms across his chest. The last problematic situation they had was just over a year before, and it had been dealt with on Menach. "Will I need to get involved personally?"

"I do not believe so.", the man's gaze turned back to the window. "A team of Jedi are being dispatched to Pantora. They wish to gift them with medical aid."

"Then they have fallen for our trap.", Dooku muttered, "I never backed this plan. The Jedi taking a closer look may jeopardise our operations in that sector."

"Indeed.", the man's grin widened more, but to Dooku, it seemed painted on. Fake. His Master spoke deliberately, ordering his apprentice with each syllable, "You now lead a council of Separatist leaders, my friend. You are the face, but you rely on many different parts. The Techno Union wish for Pantora's natural resources and so you must appear to assist them in achieving their goal to gain their support."

Dooku bowed, "I understand, my Master. What is your bidding?"

"We must ensure that this attack fails. I have plans for Pantora, my apprentice. Both the Republic relief mission and the Techno Union power grab must be disrupted. You will personally organise for our spy in their assembly to plant the seed of doubt. Have Senator Trav-iss brought to Coruscant. From here, I can easily manipulate him. He will be the puppet from which we will control their planet."

"How, my Master?", Dooku kept his head down. He knew that the older man had been waiting for this question.

"You are to organise three strike teams to attack the Republic relief aid. Then, you will deploy one of the disruption satellites into the orbit of the moon. Send the cyborg. If possible, take Master Windu out of the equation."

Dooku bow deepened, and a dark grin stretched across his features, "Taking out the Jedi's greatest warrior, Master?"

"Of course not.", the man growled with renewed malice, "You and I both know their greatest warrior is the little green monstrosity. The team already on the surface will continue to attack the cities and the supply lines around the moon. Be a hinderance to the Republic. What is the word on our asset?"

Dooku thought back to his last debriefing with the units on Pantora. "The Tholothian still needs time to locate his exact location. He claims to have a plan, but it will require more seeds planted by our spy."

This time, Sidious did not say anything. Dooku did not expect him to. This petty movement of assets was beneath the aged man. Instead, he said, "I understand, my master. I will contact our allies on Pantora and warn them of the Republic. Should I send them assistance?"

"No.", the hooded man's lips curled in distaste. "We shall test the Tholothian and his devote followers. We must show them the radical ideals of our cause and that we can benefit each other. In the meantime, send word to the Kaleesh. I want the Commerce Guild assets there to prepare their device in case the satellite fails. Then contact the Admiral. Have her prepare to whittle down the Republic defence."

Dooku looked up at the man. "I can assure you that everything will go as planned. She will be prepared."