Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 9

Anakin did not want to admit it, but he was kind of getting bored. The down time was nice in theory…and technically wasn't down time but a protection detail, but out in the country they were safe. It was ridiculous, he was with Padme after a decade, he should be utterly content. But…he wasn't used to things being so quiet. Their missions were always pretty crazy and action filled. And he was worried about Obi-Wan going after that Bounty Hunter alone.

She was so beautiful, seeing Padme relaxed and away from a battlefield was so different. She was different to how she'd been before, but she had been a very young Queen trying to protect her people. But she was also right, that if they acted on their feelings then they would have to live a lie. How could he ask that of her?

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"Dad! I think we're being tracked... Look at the scan screen! Isn't that a cloaking shadow?" Boba pointed at the screen.

"He must have put a homing device on our hull during the fight... We'll fix it! Hang on, son! We'll move into the asteroid field. He won't be able to follow us there. If he does, we'll leave him a couple of surprises." Jango worked on getting the tracker off the hull as he piloted into the asteroid field even as they saw another ship drop out of hyperspace.

"He's gone."

"He must have gone on toward the surface," Jango nodded. The locals would take care of the Jedi then.

"Look, Dad! He's back!" Boba pointed at the screen where the ship had reappeared.

"Hang on!" He released a charge which drifted toward the jedi ship and went into a power-climb to avoid an asteroid.

"Dad! Watch out!"

"Stay calm, son. We'll be fine. That Jedi won't be able to follow us through this," he assured the boy.

"There he is!" Boba called after a few minutes, and Jango grimaced.

"He doesn't seem to be able to take a hint." He flew down a narrow tunnel in one of the larger asteroids.

"Get him, Dad! Get him! Fire!"

Jango waited for the cross hairs to be centred on the Jedi ship, wanting to be sure of the hit. He knew how hard it could be to kill a Jedi after all but they were not immortal. He continued to fire as he chased the ship.

"You got him!" Boba cheered, and he felt a small smile pull at his lips, his sons' enthusiasm contagious.

"We'll just have to finish him." He pressed the button to activate the torpedoes. He smirked as there was an explosion, the other ship vanishing from sensors.

"Got him! Yeahhhhh!"

"We won't see him again," he agreed, his son laughing even as Jango aimed the ship at the planet.

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Riku walked the halls of the section of the castle he was allowed in. there were a lot of areas that were off limits. He was Master's secret and no one could know about him, if he left the allowed areas then someone might see him. If that happened…they would die and Riku would be punished. He did not like being punished. It hurt more than training ever did. The castle always felt cold to him, the Dark Side sinking into the very building itself. He thought it hadn't been as cold when he first arrived, but Master hadn't been quite as cruel back then either.

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Padme sat at her desk, going over paperwork. Maybe she should be treating the retreat as a full vacation but she couldn't do it. She wished she could be there for the vote, to ensure it was defeated, but she couldn't. It wasn't just her life at risk but everyone she was around when an attempt was made. She just…wasn't sure Jar Jar could be trusted to act correctly in the Senate.

Anakin had backed off since that night, which was good, but there was still the same attraction between them. Maybe it was better that they had acknowledged it and how impossible it was. Jedi were not monks, she'd done some study on them after they had played such an important role in helping to free her people, but they did not marry or have long lasting romantic liaisons. Or at least they didn't outside of their Order, it was possible they might amongst themselves and just didn't talk about it.

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"Now, we must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty," Yan explained to the gathered group at the table.

"What about the Senator from Naboo? Is she dead yet? I'm not signing your treaty until I have her head on my desk," Gunray demanded, to no one's surprise.

"I am a man of my word, Viceroy," he assured him. Amidala was very good at avoiding assassins but luck did not last forever.

With these new Battle Droids we've built for you, Viceroy, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy." Poggle promised.

"Now is the time, my friends. This is the moment when you have to decide between the Republic or the Confederacy of Independent Systems," Yan announced from his place at the head of the table, the bounty hunter at his side. It seemed in the years since they first met, the man had forgotten Dooku's role at Galidraan, likely due to the years in slavery. It served their purposes well though. He'd proven an excellent templet for the clones.

"As I explained to you earlier, I'm quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause with your support, gentlemen. And let me remind you of our absolute commitment to capitalism... of the lower taxes, the reduced tariffs, and the eventual abolition of all trade barriers. Signing this treaty will bring you profits beyond your wildest imagination. What we are proposing is completely free trade." He looked over at Gunray. "Our friends in the Trade Federation have pledged their support. When their Battle Droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than anything in the galaxy, The Jedi will be overwhelmed. The Republic will agree to any demands we make."

"I am authorized by the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty," Argente spoke up.

"We are most grateful for your cooperation, Chairman."

"The Commerce Guilds do not at this time wish to become openly involved, But we shall support you in secret - and look forward to doing business with you."

His answer caused chuckles around the table and then…there! A flicker in the Force. What was…they were being watched by someone who knew how to hide. Very interesting. Fett had reported their follower but had believed him dead in the asteroid field. He had also given the Jedi's name…Obi-Wan Kenobi. It seemed he would soon be reunited with his Grandpadawan.

"That is all we ask."

"The Intergalactic Banking Clan will support you wholeheartedly, but only in a non-exclusive arrangement." San Hill agreed, and Yan nodded, having expected that.

"The Techno Unions are at your disposal, Count," Tambor announced.

That was it, he had them all in one way or another. Time to deal with young Kenobi.

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Obi-Wan examined the transmitter dish and spoke with Arfour, "The transmitter is working, but we're not receiving a return signal. Coruscant's too far. Arfour, can you boost the power?"

The droid beeped in response.

"We'll have to try something else," he told the droid, jumping into the cockpit. "Maybe we can contact Anakin on Naboo. It's much closer. Anakin, Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan

Kenobi. Anakin?"

"Master?" the reply came through, a little staticky. "Is everything alright?"

"Anakin, my long-range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant," he answered as he left the cockpit to stand n range of the imager.

"Understood…ready."

"I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala. The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are

forming an..." he paused, glancing around as the Force flickered in warning, faint but there. He drew his sabre, looking around. "Wait!... Wait!" he ignited the blade and began deflecting blaster bolts back at the attacking droids, being forced away from his ship.

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Anakin stared as the hologram cut off. He should be with Obi-Wan! A hand moved to rest on his shoulder and he nearly jumped, he hadn't even sensed her approaching.

"Anakin, We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority," Master Windu ordered over the comm.

"Understood, Master," he murmured and then the connection was cut.

Anakin looked up to see Padme moving to the nearby console, bringing up something.

"They'll never get there in time to save him. They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look, Geonosis isn't that far from here."

"If he's still alive," he whispered, and she turned to face him.

"Annie, are you just going to sit here and let him die? He's your friend... your mentor..."

"He's like my father, but you heard Master Windu. He gave me strict orders to stay here," he argued. He wanted to go but he was meant to protect her, how could he choose?

"He gave you strict orders to protect me..." she smirked and left the room, Anakin blinking before rushing after her only to quickly turn his back as her gown hit the floor of her room. Not two minutes later she left the bedroom, dressed in a white jumpsuit, a blaster on her belt, as she wrapped a shawl over her shoulders, settling a bag in place after. "...and I'm going to save Obi-Wan. So, if you plan to protect me, you will have to come along."

Well…that solved his dilemma. He ducked into his own room to grab his things and followed her to the transport. They would need to return to Theed for a ship after all.

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Well…this was certainly not going to plan. He sighed, trying to relax but it was rather difficult given the restraints. They knew, or more likely, had been told how to keep a jedi contained. And he knew who had told them. It…hurt, more than he'd like to admit. Master Dooku…why? And then the man himself entered the cell.

"Traitor!"

"No, my dear Grandpadawan. This is a mistake. A terrible mistake. They've gone too far. This is madness."

"I thought you were the leader here, Dooku," he pointed out, he'd seen his position at the table, heard him speaking with the others.

Dooku shook his head. "This had nothing to do with me, I assure you. I promise you I will petition immediately to have you set free."

So that was how he wanted to play it. "Well, I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work

to do."

"May I ask why a Jedi Knight is all the way out here on Geonosis?"

"I've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?" he asked, despite knowing he did since he had seen Jango at his side.

"There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of. Geonosians don't trust them."

"Well, who can blame them. But he is here, I can assure you."

"It's a pity we met so late and then fell mostly out of contact again, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he were still alive; I could use his help right now."

"Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you," Obi-Wan denied.

"Don't be so sure, my young Jedi. You forget that he was once my apprentice just as you were once his. He knew all about the corruption in the Senate, but he would never have gone along with it if he had known the truth as I have."

"The truth?"

"The truth. What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lords of the Sith?"

"No, that's not possible. The Jedi would be aware of it."

"The dark side of the Force has clouded their vision, my friend. Hundreds of Senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious."

"I don't believe you."

"The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious. But he was betrayed ten years ago by the Dark Lord. He came to me for help. He told me everything. The Jedi Council would not believe him. I tried many times to warn them but they wouldn't listen to me. Once they sensed the Dark Lord's presence, it would then be too late. You must join me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy the Sith."

Obi-Wan stared at him in shock. It…it wasn't possible. They would know if there was a Sith in the Senate. It just wasn't possible. "I will never join you, Dooku."

Dooku nodded and turned to leave. "It may be difficult to secure your release."

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Riku stood over the demolished droids, panting, trembling in pain and anger. He slowly de-activated his lightsabre, staring around. He…had he really done that? He sat down, shaking still. He felt really jittery and kind of weird. That…that was actually using the Dark Side…wasn't it? He felt sick. He'd never been so mad and it'd been so stupid. He'd been hurt by training droids tons of times before, why was this different?

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"Don't be afraid," Anakin murmured, and she turned her head to look at him.

"I'm not afraid to die. I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life," she whispered shakily.

"What are you talking about?" he frowned in confusion.

"I love you," she admitted.

"You love me?! I thought we decided not to fall in love. That we would be forced to live a lie. That it would destroy our lives..." he stared at her with wide eyes.

"I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. My love for you is a puzzle, Annie, for which I have no answers. I can't control it... and now I don't care. I truly, deeply love you, and before we die, I want you to know." She leant towards him, and he stared at her before leaning in as well.

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He made his way silently through the tunnel towards where the sunlight highlighted several forms. He waited until the last second to ignite his sabre, holding it to the bounty hunters' throat as the current main threat. Dooku surely wouldn't attack a Jedi…would he?

"Master Windu, how pleasant of you to join us. You're just in time for the moment of truth. I would think these two new boys of yours could use a little more training."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Dooku. This party's over," Mace stated firmly, sending the signal.

At strategic places around the arena there were sudden flashes of light as around a hundred Jedi ignited their lightsabres. The crowd fell suddenly silent in response.

But Dooku's lip curled slightly, as if amused. "Brave, but foolish, my old Jedi friend. You're impossibly outnumbered."

"I don't think so. The Geonosians aren't warriors. One Jedi has to be worth a hundred of them," he countered.

But Dooku's smile grew as he looked about the stadium. "It wasn't the Geonosians I was thinking about. How well do you think one Jedi will hold up against a thousand Battle Droids?" This time, he gave a signal and thousands of droids began pouring into all parts of the arena.

That shouldn't be possible! Where had such numbers come from?

And then the bounty hunter…Fett…he knew that name from somewhere…fired his flamethrower at him, setting his outer robe alight. He leapt into the air, shedding the robe as he fell to the stadium floor, rolling to ensure the flames hadn't spread.

The air was filled with Geonosians as they flew away. The droids opened fire on the forces he had brought and they began deflecting the bolts back. Against such numbers…how long until they began to fall?

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Alarms began to sound in the room and quickly healers rushed in to see the patient thrashing in the tank, blue eyes snapping open, wide with terror.

They could all feel it, not distinctly, but the Light of the Force had begun to dim. Jedi were dying.

Vokara moved to administer a mild sedative, to calm Sora before he hurt himself. In response his struggles lessened, eyes drooping. "Let's get him out," she ordered, and they moved in to remove him from the tank.

He was then washed clean of the bacta and dressed in a medical gown before being settled on a bed.

"Just relax Sora, you're safe in the Temple," she soothed, and he blinked lethargically at her before drifting off to sleep.

Once he was properly awake, they would need to run tests to see if the coma had done any damage. Hopefully, he was on the road to a full recovery and then could be placed with a new Master until ready to be Knighted. She did not want him told of Master Yaddle's fate until sure he was alright; he did not need the stress at the moment.

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Yan quickly began to prepare his ship for the journey to Coruscant to ensure Sidious received the plans. But then he sensed the approach of several life forms…then just two.

"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you've killed today, Dooku," Skywalker announced, and Yan turned to face them.

"We'll take him together - you go in slowly on the..."

"No, I'm taking him now!" Skywalker was rather rash, and Yan drew his lightsabre.

"Anakin, no!"

He smiled as Skywalker rushed towards him. At the last second, he unleashed a blast of Force lightning, watching as the boy was thrown across the room to slam into the wall, slumping to the ground. He then moved towards Obi-Wan, wishing the younger man would have agreed to join him.

"As you can see, my Jedi powers are far beyond yours," he half warned, half taunted.

"I don't think so." Obi-Wan readied himself, remaining calm.

They began to fight, Yan testing the younger male, gradually picking up speed and force.

"Master Kenobi, you disappoint me. Yoda holds you in such high esteem," he taunted, parrying another cut, and then thrust, Obi-Wan stepping back, panting for air. "Come, come, Master Kenobi. Put me out of my misery."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, getting a fresh grip on his lightsabre and moved in again. For a moment, he drove Yan back. But he just smirked and pushed Obi-Wan into retreating again. He kept increasing the pressure and then he struck Obi-Wan's thigh and shoulder, nowhere near deep enough to sever the limbs but enough to take him out of the fight. There was no reason to kill him when Yan could now leave. Or, he could take them both out now…even though he was tempted to spare them for Qui-Gon. He raised his sabre and began to bring it down only to be blocked.

"That's brave of you, boy - but foolish. I would have thought you'd have learned your lesson."

"I'm a slow learner," Skywalker answered.

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Yoda stared at the sight before him, his old Padawan standing over an unconscious Obi-Wan and…the poor boy.

"Master Yoda," his old student turned to greet him.

"Count Dooku," he returned, leaning on his gimmer stick.

"You have interfered with our plans for the last time."

Yoda easily deflected the machinery Yan sent flying at him, catching the pieces of ceiling that were broken off to fall on him. He was saddened when his old student actually used Sith lightning, he had truly fallen then.

"Powerful you have become, Dooku. The dark side I sense in you," he stated, staring him down.

"I have become more powerful than any Jedi. Even you, my old Master." He continued sending lightning, but Yoda deflected every blast.

He shook his head. "Much to learn you still have."

"It is obvious this contest will not be decided by our knowledge of the Force, but by our skills with a lightsabre."

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Padmé saw Obi-Wan sitting in the room, waiting for Anakin to be done in surgery. She walked over, gently settling a blanket over his shoulders, startling him.

"Senator." He began to stand but she pushed him down.

"Have you had your wounds seen to?" She asked.

"I am fine," he argued.

"I'll get a medic. You will be no help to Anakin if you're still wounded as well," she chided, slipping out of the room to find a medic or healer. Doing so was keeping her mind off Anakin's surgery. Seeing him with his arm…it hurt to see him so injured. But he was in the best hands and the medics knew what they were doing.

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Riku huddled on his bed. Master was not happy. Their bond was stretched with distance but he could sense that much. Had something gone wrong? Was he on his way back? He would take his anger out on Riku and he didn't want that. He closed his eyes, trying to sleep, wanting the peace of dreams.

TBC…