Chapter 11 - The Battle of Geonosis

DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P

Author's Note: In which the battle of Geonosis occurs... :) Anakin will come around in the next chapter, and the major canon divergences will begin happening there! :D

~ Amina Gila

So much for a diplomatic solution. Padme only hopes the Separatists are truly aware that what they're about to do is very likely to spark a war between them and the Republic, exactly what she's been hoping to avoid for years. As she and Ahsoka were going through the factory, they had been attacked by the Geonosians and quickly captured. Hopefully Kitster will be smart enough to stay out of this.

The natives chain her and Ahsoka, taking them into a wagon which slowly rolls out into a large arena where they are to be executed. Large balconies surround the arena, full of Geonosians excited to watch the show. Padme can't even begin to understand how someone could find pleasure from something like this. Obi-Wan is already chained to one of the four poles in the center of the expanse.

"I was beginning to wonder if you got my message," Obi-Wan quips as they're lead over to two of the poles. Padme quickly slips a pick-lock out to her sleeve - the bugs hadn't noticed it when they searched her because it was so tiny - and sticks it into her mouth to use as soon as she has the opportunity.

"I retransmitted it," Ahsoka chirps. "Then we decided to come rescue you. Again."

"Good job," he retorts, pointedly looking up at the chains on wrists.

On the fanciest balcony on the far side of the arena, Padme spots Dooku, Gunray, the leader of the Geonosians - Poggle, and several others walking up to their positions. They, unsurprisingly, have the best view. Poggle says something in Geonosian, and the crowd goes wild. Across from them, three gates slide open, one by one, and creatures are lead out - a nexu, reek, and acklay. In the meanwhile, Padme busies herself with getting the chains off her wrists. The Jedi can defend themselves, but she has no such means without being free of the pole.

"Hope you're all ready to become monster fodder," Ahsoka says humorlessly as the Geonosians lead the creatures towards the prisoners.

Padme forces herself to stay calm - or tries to - as the nexu heads for her. She finally gets the other handcuff off her wrist, and then uses the chain to start climbing the pole. It's the best she can do in a situation like this.

The reek reaches Ahsoka first. She flips into the air, landing on its back as it rams into the post, while the acklay tries to attack Obi-Wan, blindly hitting at the post with its claws until it falls over, freeing Obi-Wan in the process.

The nexu stops below Padme's post growling up at her before it starts to climb up the side. She swings the chain, hitting it across the head. It slides a few feet down the pole, but scrambles back up again, slashing it's clawed foot across her back. She jerks back with a cry of pain, swinging off the top of the pole and kicking the beast hard. It falls back to the sand, and she quickly pulls herself back up to the top again so she'll be safe.

Just then, the reek, with Ahsoka now riding it, charges across the arena, trampling the Nexu into the sand. "Want a lift?" she calls, looking up.

Padme nods, jumping off the pole, landing on the reek behind the Togruta. Avoiding the blinding charging acklay, Obi-Wan runs over, climbing on behind them. At least they're free from the poles with only one charging monster left since they're riding the other, but Padme is still pretty sure the ordeal has only just begun.

She suddenly hears a far too familiar clanking of droids, just as six destroyers roll into view, shifting into firing position on all sides.

**w**

Ahsoka looks around grimly. It's hardly the first time she's been so close death, but she doesn't see any way out now. And Padme and Obi-Wan will die with her. She may be the Chosen One, but that doesn't mean she's invincible. She knows this. And she won't be able to save them, either.

Then there's a sudden flash of purple and she looks up towards the balcony Dooku is on to see Windu standing behind him, lightsaber drawn. What?! The Jedi Master had said he would deal with Dooku, but that doesn't mean Ahsoka had any idea he would come in now. She was certain it would be too late. They're not out of this yet, but she can't help taking a moment to be relieved. They speak for a few moments - she can't make out the words - before lightsabers start activating all around the arena.

Destroyers roll up to shoot at Windu, and he jumps over the edge when the bounty hunter shoots a flamethrower at him. The gates the animals came out of open again and droids pour into the arena. The Geonosians start flying away in a panic as the dozens of gathered Jedi charge at the oncoming machines.

Two Jedi throw Obi-Wan and Ahsoka lightsabers. She hastily ignites it, the blade is green, cutting off Obi-Wan's chains, before jumping off the reek and running into the fight. Padme picks up a blaster and starts shooting at the droids, and Ahsoka positions herself near the Senator to protect her.

As she cuts through droid after droid, Padme runs over to one of the creatures dragging the cart that brought them into the arena and jumps on its back, still firing at the droids. Ahsoka races after, jumping in the back to block blaster bolts from her new position, deflecting to destroy. She's tempted to go join the battle, to fight with Obi-Wan, just to make sure he's alright, but she can't leave Padme here alone. She'll die.

Jedi are falling around them, but the droids won't stop coming. A blast suddenly strikes the animal dragging the cart, and it falls over, dumping Padme face first into the sand. Ahsoka jumps clear and helps the Senator up, moving to take shelter inside the overturned cart. Ahsoka steps in front of her to continue protecting her. She wishes she had both her lightsabers - it's so much easier to fight with two; it's less exhausting and more efficient - but she has to make due with only one. Otherwise, she could call a lightsaber from one of the fallen Jedi, though she's not really comfortable with doing that.

At times, she hates having such a strong connection to the Force. Between that and her enhanced physical senses, she can sense much of what's happening in the battle. She can feel Jedi dying. One by one, their lives are fading, and it's wrong.

Suddenly, Ahsoka hears the sound of a ship approaching. She looks up to see the Nubian cruiser they came in flying overhead. "What in the -!" she hisses.

"What is he doing? I told him to stay out of this!" exclaims Padme as the ship open fires on the attacking droids.

"I guess he's learning from us, since we weren't supposed to come here either," Ahsoka replies, shaking her head. If Kitster isn't careful, he's going to get himself hurt, or worse - No, she's not going there. But really, there's nothing she can do it about it right now, except destroy these droids as fast as possible so they don't have a chance to shoot the ship down.

The droids might almost be losing for a few moments as they're all blasted into scrap metal, but then a cannon fires up at the ship, striking its wing. Ahsoka tenses, only able to watch as the ship trembles violently while Kitster presumably tries to get it back under control. No, no, he can't crash. He can't die. She can't lose him, not now, not ever. The ship is still in the air, but it flies out of sight. He must have realized he won't be able to keep helping now, but that doesn't mean he's alright. The ship could still crash.

With their air support gone, the Jedi are falling fast again. Her and Padme's hiding spot in the wagon is destroyed by another cannon blast, and they're forced back into the open area where the worst of the battle is taking place. Of the dozens of Jedi that came here, Ahsoka can only count about 30? 40? left now, and they're all slowly being forced back into a small circle as the droids close in. So is this how everything is going to end? Shot down on another desert planet, only hours after losing her mother?

Suddenly, the droids all stop shooting. Ahsoka glances around the area before her eyes fall on Dooku, where he stands overlooking the arena. "Master Windu," he calls, "You have fought gallantly, worthy of recognition in the archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished. Surrender, and your lives with be spared."

"We will not be hostages to be battered, Dooku," Windu retorts.

"Then I'm sorry, old friend," he says, not looking very sincere at all. The droids start raising their weapons when Ahsoka senses something, looking up to see a group of gunships flying into the arena.

"Look!" she shouts. Never in her life has she been more relieved than she is right now. The Republic has come for them. Somehow. Ahsoka swings up her lightsaber to deflect the next blaster shots when they start coming, but this time, there's hope. There's actually a chance of survival. Green laser fire from the ships' cannons rip the droids into pieces. When the gunships start landing, Ahsoka pulls Padme onto one, Obi-Wan joining them a moment later. Across from them, she sees the rest of the surviving Jedi evacuating. The gunships take off, rejoining the rest of the battle across the rest of the planet.

**w**

"Look, there's Dooku!" Ahsoka calls, motioning to the speeder flying only a short distance ahead of the gunship she, Obi-Wan, Padme, and a number of the clones are flying in.

"Follow that speeder!" Obi-Wan orders the pilot, just as blasts start ringing out all around them. A stray bolt strikes the wing of the gunship, jolting the whole thing violently. Ahsoka nearly loses her grip on the handrail hanging from the roof, catching on just in time. Padme doesn't. The Senator falls straight out of the ship into the sand far below.

"Padme!" Ahsoka cries, panic momentarily taking away her common sense. She turns towards the pilot. "Put the ship down!" They can't just leave her behind. She could be injured or worse. Besides, she's defenseless, and one of the Geonosians could easily capture her.

"No!" Obi-Wan declares firmly, "We have to go after Dooku."

"We can do that after we make sure Padme's alright!" Ahsoka yells back. She already lost her mother, and who knows where Kitster is. She can't let something happen to Padme too.

"Don't let your personal feelings get in the way. We have a job to do," Obi-Wan reminds her.

"I don't care!"

"We can take care of her later. Right now we need to focus on Dooku." By this point, Padme is far behind, and it would hardly even make sense to go back for her. Ahsoka can only hope that she'll be alright until they get back or that one of the clones is able to get to her.

Dooku's ship speeds into a hanger, and their gunship lands on the platform a few moments later. Obi-Wan and Ahsoka jump off igniting their lightsabers and running in after him. Dooku is standing on the far side of the hanger bay as they enter. He casually turns to face them.

"You're going to pay for what you've done, Dooku," Ahsoka snarls, grip tightening on the lightsaber. Her fear is gone, replaced by anger. He nearly killed Padme and Kitster. Who knows what condition they're in now? And he killed over a hundred Jedi today.

"We're going to take him together," Obi-Wan says quietly, "You -" No, there's no time for this.

"I'm taking him now," she shouts, promptly charging right at him.

"No, Ahsoka, no!" her master yells, but she doesn't turn back. The Count stands there calmly, not reacting until she's only a few feet away before he raises a hand and bluish white energy leaps from his fingers, striking her. The next thing she knows, all she can feel is a burning pain, tearing through every inch of her.

She can vaguely hear the sound of talking, but is tempted to continue lying where she fell until she hears the sounds of lightsabers clashing. She slowly forces her eyes open, even though her body is screaming in protest at even the slightest move. She immediately she spots Obi-Wan and Dooku with their lightsabers - the Count has a red lightsaber? - locked together in a saberlock.

Dooku's blade suddenly slides down Obi-Wan's, slashing into his arm and then his leg as he collapses to the floor. Dooku raises his lightsaber, spinning it above his head. Ahsoka knows he's about to kill her master. Panic flares inside her, momentarily somewhat numbing the pain, and she forces herself to her feet, jumping across the room to block Dooku's blade only seconds before it would have killed Obi-Wan.

"Brave of you, girl, but foolish," the Count says, "I would have thought you'd learn your lesson."

"The only lesson I've learned is that you're a ruthless murderer!" she snips.

"Ahsoka!" Obi-Wan calls, throwing his lightsaber to her. She catches it, shifting into her usual Jar'kai fighting stance as she attacks Dooku. It'll be much easier with two blades. She's always fought best with Form IV, and she uses that now as she aggressively attacks the Count. But he's not an expert duelist for nothing, and easily counters each of her strikes before forcing her to back up a few steps.

He suddenly twirls his blade, wrenching away her temporary shoto and sending it skittering across the ground. She doesn't have time to call it back to her with the Force, so she focuses instead on throwing herself into attacking. Not resting for a month and her mother's death have taken a toll on her. She's usually fast, always jumping from place to place and tiring her opponent, and given the Count's age it would normally be easy, but she's in pain and very worn out. She's in no condition to be fighting, and she knows it, but she won't stop. She can't.

Dooku's next strike would have taken off her arm if she hadn't backflipped at the last second, calling her other lightsaber back to her hand and igniting it. Instead of pressing the assault, Dooku Force throws her backwards. Ahsoka catches herself quickly, but not fast enough. The next thing she knows, her body is engulfed by electricity, and she writhes on the ground, only wanting it to end. The world begins to go dark around the edges when it stops, but she's too drained to even move. She feels a million miles away from her body.

Ahsoka senses Obi-Wan nearby, but her mind is in too much of a haze from the pain to really register what's happening. She hears voices and lightsabers clashing, though she doesn't know what's going on.

It's the tremendous crash right next to her that finally jolts her fully back to consciousness again. A huge crane, which could have crushed them, just barely missed them thanks to Yoda, who's standing a distance away. Dooku's ship is blasting out of the hanger. He escaped. That means there's definitely going to be a galactic, drawn-out war.

She looks up at the sound of someone approaching. Padme and Kitster run into the hanger, hurrying over to them as soon as they see her. Ahsoka unsteadily climbs to her feet with Obi-Wan's help, only to be promptly pulled into a hug by Kitster, ignoring the fact that everyone's watching them. They're friends anyways. It's not that strange.

It's not long before she and Obi-Wan are escorted away to a med-center to recover from their duel with Dooku. She tries not to think about how she was nearly killed.

**w**

Ahsoka is grateful she's sent to escort Padme back to Naboo. At least it gives her one final time to talk to her and Kitster. Whatever happens, she won't let this be a goodbye for the indefinite future. They are going to keep in contact this time.

"About that..." Ahsoka begins finally once she manages to find a moment alone with Kit.

"You can forget about it if you want," he offers immediately, giving her a gentle smile. "I thought it's what you wanted, and I understand if you're not ready for something like that."

"I... I can't forget," she admits. Granted, she had never thought about him that way before, but now, she thinks it would be right. They understand each other. They respect each other. They love one another as best friends. What more can they ask from moving their relationship to the next level and becoming partners for life? "Kit..." Her voice trails off, and she looks up into his eyes. "I do want us to try to build something, but I don't think that now is quite the right time."

"We can wait," Kitster assures, "You are still young. I'm willing to wait until you're ready. Just give me the word."

"I - Thank you, Kit," she murmurs, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly. "I love you."

"And I love you too, akku." he whispers. The endearment, meaning sweetheart, is spoken in their native slave language, Amatakka. Wherever they go, their past will be a part of them, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

**w**

Only weeks ago, Ahsoka never would have thought a day like this would come. Where she was appointed the General of her own men - right after being Knighted - to fight in the front lines of the first galactic civil war since the formation of the Republic. The Jedi were once peacekeepers, but now it seems like they're about to take up the role of warriors as well.

And to think that all of her men are clones, born - no created - and raised from birth for nothing but fighting and dying for the Republic. They never even had a choice in the matter. Yes, they're clones, but a clone is still a person just as much as anyone else.

She's a Jedi Knight and the general of the 501st Legion now, but she doesn't even know how to be a general. She was never trained for leading battles. If anything, the clones will be better at it than her, since that's what they've been taught since childhood. It doesn't help that she's still trying to come to terms with the fact that her mother is dead. It was hard enough for her to deal with the reality that had she been faster Sharlan would still be alive. Now, she's responsible for the lives of thousands of good men. It's terrifying. She's not ready for this. She probably never would have been.

At least she still has contact with Padme and Kitster. She knows they'll always support her, but it's not as though they can help her in battle. Obi-Wan might be able to aid her somewhat with that, but it's not as though he has experience with leading military campaigns either. She doesn't even know with certainty how frequently she'll see him. Some Knights will be seeing their former masters more frequently than usual because of the war, she guesses, but she doesn't know how permanent of an arrangement this is.

But for now, all she can do is try to do her best - which is never enough, no matter what she does - and trust in the Force, although that's usually a struggle for her.