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Post by arie on Oct 24, 2006 18:00:34 GMT -5
Chapter 1
Padmé Naberrie awoke with a start.
She had had that dream…again.
Fumbling through her bedside drawer, her fingers finally closed upon the delicate japor snippet, and she brought it to meet her eyes.
So many memories…
“Look! A ship! It’s a ship!
“It’s going down! Captain, an escape pod’s jettisoned!”
“Can we intercept it?”
Flashes of chaos aboard her father’s ship, the still body of a young boy heaved aboard.
He small fingers closing around the pendant dangling from his neck.
A loud gasp and coughing.
“It’s okay…I’m Padmé.”
“Anakin Skywalker…”
“I’m watching over you, Anakin.”
The boy’s blue eyes sliding shut.
A sharp voice. “Has he said anything?”
The pendant concealed behind my back as I reply, “His name’s Anakin Skywalker. That’s all I found out.”
Padmé sighed. The day that Anakin had come into his life was haunting her in sleep. She remembered it clear as day.“Padmé?”
She shoved the pendant back into the drawer, and hurried pulled a cover over her nightclothes, as the door opened.
Her father, Governor Naberrie, stood in the door way, the smile of a doting father playing across his face.
“Still asleep at this hour, my dear?”
“Yes, what’s it to you?” Padme answered.
Her handmaiden, Sabé entered, carrying her clothes and her wash dish.
“I have something for you, Padme,” Ruwee announced proudly, ignoring her cheek, as another handmaiden, Yané, came in, carrying a generous-sized box.
Padmé lifted the lid to reveal a gorgeous gown, a swirl of yellow, purple blue, and pink lacy fabric pulled into dainty ruffles, and a headband to match.
“It’s beautiful...” she murmured as she fingered the collar. “May I ask as to the occasion?”
Ruwee smiled. “Do I need an occasion, Padmé?”
Padmé smiled and Sabé took the dress from the box. Padme retreated behind her changing screen as Sabé handed her the new dress and took her old one.
“But….I had hoped that you would wear it to the ceremony today. Captain Palo Greene, Commander Greene as he is about to become...”
“I knew it. You wouldn’t get me a ravishing new dress if you didn’t want me to wear it for Palo.” Padmé said bitterly. Palo was her father’s preferred suitor, but he wasn’t appealing in the least to Padmé. Suddenly, she exclaimed as Sabé pulled the strings of her dress tight.
“Sorry milady.” Sabé whispered.
“Now, Padme be fair, that dress is all the way from Coruscant.”
“Well women on Coruscant must have learned not to breathe.” Padmé concluded.
“I wonder if they could teach me that trick.” Ruwee wondered aloud.
Padmé yelped against as the cords constricted her chest.
“Are you all right, milady?” Sabé asked worriedly.
“I’m fine, just great. In fact, I think being imprisoned in a death suit is quite entertaining.” Padmé said sarcastically as she tried hard to breathe.
“Padmé that wasn’t very lady-like,” Ruwee said quickly.
“I don’t care.” Padmé whispered to Sabé.
“Excuse me Governor.” A voice at the door said, “But someone is here to see you.”
“That’ll be Sir Skywalker with the Commander’s new blaster,” Ruwee said and hurried out the door.
Anakin gazed around in awe at the mansion’s magnificent decorations and wall hangings. Back where he lived and worked with his master, Watto, there was none such splendor, just a lot of lightsabers and Watto’s things.
He picked up the large blaster he had fashioned, holding it tenderly.
He had fashioned it for the new Commander, for as each military Captain was promoted in status, they received a new weapon.
Then Yané entered with an empty box, heading for the kitchen.
Anakin held the trigger of the unloaded gun and pointed at her, a mischievous grin appearing on his face. “I’ve got a gun! This is a holdup, gimme all the credits I aint playin here!”
Yané giggled. “Quit being silly, Ani.”
Anakin laughed wickedly as she hurried off.
Governor Naberrie approached from the bottom of the staircase, smiling in greeting. Anakin lowered the gun innocently as the handmaiden hurried off.
“Sir Skywalker,” he acknowledged.
“Governor Naberrie,” Anakin replied, and moved aside so the Governor could examine the blaster.
“Impressive, Anakin. Very impressive. And what do you call this marvelous mechanism? Or does this far supersede your other fantastic mechanical inventions? ”
“It doesn’t have a name Sir; I assumed Commander Palo would bestow that which he pleased.”
“Ah, yes indeed.”
At that moment, Padmé appeared at the top of the staircase, her dress flowing behind her.
“Ani!”
She began her descent, as Ruwee exclaimed, “Ah, Padmé, dear, you look absolutely stunning.”
Anakin felt his breath catch as Padmé approached.
“How wonderful to see you!” Padmé said with a bright smile.
Anakin nodded in agreement.
“I had a dream about you last night…” Padmé began.
“Now, Padmé, that’s entirely improper.” Ruwee scolded, but Padmé ignored him.
“About the day we met…do you remember?”
“How could I forget, milady?”
Padmé grinned. “And how many times must I ask you to call me Padmé?”
“At least once more, milady.”
Padmé giggled awkwardly. “Ummmm…call me Padmé?”
“I’m glad you find this amusing, milady.” Anakin teased, and Governor Naberrie stood, perplexed.
“Call me Padmé!” Padme said breathlessly. (Literally)
“Tell me again,” Anakin replied.
“Call me Padmé!”
Anakin sighed. “Ask again later, milady.”
Padmé stamped her foot in mock frustration and smiled. “Oh, Ani you were always such a joker. That answer reminded me of a Magic 8 ball...Very well then. It’s been lovely talking to you Ani.”
And she made for the exit, her father tailing behind.
“It’s been lovely talking to you….” Anakin murmured. “Padmé.”
Obi-Wan sat in the cockpit of the docking bay of the crumbling ship, a wicked grin upon his face.
Through the viewport, he could just glimpse Theed.
Alerts and klaxons blared in his ears.
“Warning: Ship malfunctioning! Ship malfunctioning!” a robotic voice chimed.
“No duh.” Obi-Wan muttered, pulling the yoke upward as the ship screeched into a landing pad area.
He hopped out quickly, in hopes of not singing his robes.
Passerby stared.
Smoke poured from the wreckage, and the air smelled of the fumes.
Obi-Wan carefully adjusted his belt and lightsaber, and then smiled cheerfully at the folk.
“Beautiful day isn’t it? The sky’s gorgeous... well minus the smoke...”
A woman murmured to a man suspiciously.
“Hey, if you use your imagination, there’s a sun up there...” Obi-Wan said, pointing vaguely.
The docking officer approached him, a stern look upon his face.
“Uh-oh. Going to put me in timeout, now Officer?”
The officer didn’t blink.
“Sorry about the mess.” Obi-Wan said cheerfully. “Not my fault, by the way. The bloody thing wouldn’t cooperate. That’s why I usually hate flying the fancy yacht type ships...”
He trailed off, and seemed to realize he was doing it as well. He smiled, and began to walk away.
The officer stopped him with a clearing of the throat.
Obi-Wan paused, and asked politely, “Do you need a cough drop? I have some in here somewhere... I’m sure of it...hmmm...” He dug around in his “effects.”
The officer sighed impatiently. “Sir, it is five credits to dock here. And I’ll need your name. ”
“Five credits? Geez.”
“If you refuse to pay, I’ll tow it.”
Obi-Wan glanced at the smoldering debris that had once been a ship. “Whatever.”
“I’ll contact the authorities!” the officer added threateningly.
Obi-Wan pivoted, swaying on one boot, “You win this round, Officer Whatever-Your -Name- Is. How about I up the credits to fifteen, only forget the name.”
The officer looked surprised, but finally responded. “Welcome to Theed, Sir Smith.”
Obi-Wan smiled triumphantly and stepped toward the exit.
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Post by arie on Oct 24, 2006 18:01:27 GMT -5
Chapter 2
The orders were shouted to the soldiers in stern, authoritative voices, and the clone troopers... or are they storm troopers now? Padmé thought to herself...executed them perfectly.
“Two paces, march! Right about face... present ARMS!” the voice of one of the previously promoted Commanders bellowed.
Palo walked stiffly through the line of troopers, no emotion in his face. Padmé’s eyes met his for a moment, and he stared meaningfully into hers, as she turned away, uncomfortable. She fanned herself distractedly, trying to keep her breaths steady.
Palo presented his new blaster at the front, fingering his latest weapon admiringly. He then sheathed it, and prepared to accept his promotion to the status of Commander.
Ruwee nudged Padmé slightly. “He’s a fine man, Padmé. He fancies you, you know.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed!” Padmé hissed softly at her father.
-------
Obi-Wan sauntered stealthily through the quiet backstreets and onto the dock, silently thanking the Force that mostly everyone was at some sort of ceremony at the fort.
He’d hate to run into some stormtroopers, because that would result in him cutting down his former allies... that is, before the Emperor had to turn them against me. Mutiny! That’s what it is! And he turned some of the Jedi against me too; I suppose they are Sith, now?
He shuddered angrily as he thought of Emperor Palpatine forcing his noble followers to become users of the Dark Side, and using the clone army for his advantage.
“This dock is off limits to civilians.” A voice entered his mind, and he shook away from thought. He eyed the two guards standing upon the dock.
“I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t know. If I see one, I shall inform you immediately.” He attempted to continue walking, but the two guards blocked him.
“Apparently there’s some sort of high toned and fancy to do up at the fort, eh?” Obi-Wan asked, seemingly interested. “How is it that two upstanding gentleman such as yourselves did not merit an invitation?”
The guard shuffled a bit, but replied. “Some one has to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians.”
“It’s a fine goal, to be sure.” Obi-Wan assured them, formulating a tactic in his mind to distract them. “But it seems to me that a...” he pointed at a ship. “..ship like that, makes this one here a bit superfluous, really.”
“Oh the Dauntless is the power in Naboo airspace, true enough. But there’s no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed.”
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth. “I’ve heard of one. It’s supposed to be very fast, nigh un-catch able: The Black Pearl.”
He spoke of his former ship fondly; for it had been the only ship he’d really enjoyed flying.
The two guards looked a little intimidated by the mention of the legendary Jedi cruiser.
“Well, there’s no real ship that can match the Interceptor for speed.” He amended.
Obi-Wan sighed quietly.
The other guard turned to him then, stating firmly, “The Black Pearl is a real ship.”
“No, no it’s not.”
“Yes it is! I’ve seen it! Years ago, during the Battle of Naboo, it was floating over yonder...” he broke off, pointing.
“You have seen it?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t seen it.”
“Yes, I have.”
“You’ve seen a ship, with a black insignia, that’s crewed by the last of the damned Jedi, and captained by a man so evil, a Sith lord even, that Hell itself spat him back out?”
At mention of the Emperor, the man shivered. “No.”
“No.”
“But I have seen a ship with a black insignia.” The man stated simply.
“Oh an no ship that’s not crewed by the last of the damned Jedi, and captained by a man so evil, a Sith lord even, that Hell itself spat him back out could possibly have a black insignia, and therefore couldn’t possibly be any other ship than The Black Pearl. Is that what you are saying?”
“No.” The men were so busy bantering, that they hadn’t noticed Obi-Wan sneaking off.
“Like I said there’s no real ship as can match the Interceptor...” he turned, but Obi-Wan was no longer standing there. He looked around frantically, finally spotting Obi-Wan opening the hatch of the Interceptor and climbing in.
Both guards sprinted into the hatch, finding Obi-Wan fingering the control panel thoughtfully.
“Hey, you! Get away from there!”
“You don’t have permission to be abroad there, mate.”
“I’m sorry.” Obi-Wan replied, almost mournfully. “It’s just... it’s such a pretty speeder. Ship.” He corrected himself quickly, wondering if perhaps he’d had a little too much Corellian spiced ale.
“What’s your name?’ One asked him suspiciously.
“Smith. Or Smithy if you prefer. Some even go as far as to call me Smithy McSmitherStein.” Obi-Wan said. I’m having way too much fun with this...
“What’s your purpose in Theed, Mr. Smith?”
“And no lies!”
Obi-Wan sighed. “Well then, gentlemen, I confess. It is my intention to commandeer one of these beautiful ships, pick up a crew on Tatooine, raid, pillage, plunder and otherwise pilfer my weasely black guts out!” he restrained himself from laughing at his own answer. The Emperor had convinced most of the galaxy that the Jedi were criminals working for their own profit, not caring for anyone but themselves and stealing money from the government.
“I said no lies!” one said, and the two brandished their weapons at him.
“I think he’s telling the truth.” The other said softly.
“If he were telling the truth, he wouldn’t have told us.”
Obi-Wan sent them a toothy grin. “Unless of course, he knew you wouldn’t believe the truth, even if he told it to you.”
Both men sent him a confused look.
---------
Padmé fanned herself hastily, trying unsuccessfully to bring precious oxygen back into her lungs.
“May I have a moment?” Padmé turned, to find Palo’s steady gaze upon her.
They stepped toward a small platform, now in private conversation.
“Uh, you look lovely, Padmé.” Palo started. He squirmed a little, but maintained his steadfast stare.
Padmé chuckled half-heartedly, still fanning and gasping for air.
“I...uh...apologize if I seem...foward, but I...must speak my mind.” Palo said awkwardly, looking away to the waves on the horizon. “This promotion...throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved... marriage to a fine woman.”
He turned to Padmé, who gave him a fleeting glance.
“You have become a fine woman, Padmé.” He stated.
Padmé had barely registered the statement, her body screamed in agony. “I...I can’t breathe...” she stuttered.
“Yes, I’m feeling a bit nervous myself...” Palo said distractedly, his eyes now away from Padmé.
Padmé couldn’t take it any longer. She pined for air, her lungs screeching weakly.
She fell out of awareness and dropped over the edge of the battlement.
--------
“And so then, they made me their chief...” Obi-Wan stopped mid-sentence, and his attention was suddenly turned to a falling shape as it hit the water.
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“Padmé?” Palo asked, as he turned around. Panicking, he looked over the edge, seeing a swell of waves where Padmé had landed. “Padmé! Black holes and novas!”
This drew the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Palo made to jump in after her, bravely attempting to save his love.
“Sir! The rocks!” One of the clones said loudly. “It’s a miracle she missed them!”
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Obi-Wan gazed at the water, his Jedi instincts kicking in fast. “Will you be saving her then?” he asked the men.
“I can’t swim!” One exclaimed.
Obi-Wan sighed and stared at the guards. “By the power of the Force...” he gathered his things and placed them in their hands. “Do NOT lose this.” He dove into the sea.
Padmé’s body hit the bottom, the impact itself not affecting the water’s currents at all, but then, the japor snippet necklace, floating out from her bodice, dangled freely in the water, and caused a strange and mysterious pulse to echo through the water.
“What was that?” one of the guards asked, seeing the ripple in the water.
They soon forgot it, seeing Obi-Wan, sopping wet, lifting the still form of Padmé Naberrie onto the dock, Obi-Wan spat water from his mouth and smoothed his wet hair.
The men hurried to help him and they set Padmé down on the wooden planks.
“She’s not breathing!”
“Move!” Obi-Wan shouted, shoving one aside and grabbing his lightsaber from his belt. He carefully cut open the corset, and Padmé began spitting out water and coughing.
“I would have never though of that.”
“Clearly you’ve never been to Coruscant.” Obi-Wan stated simply.
Suddenly Palo and a crowd of other men were surrounding them.
“On your feet!” Palo yelled, pointing his new blaster at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan rose.
Ruwee, scared to death, lifting his daughter up. “Padmé! Padmé, dear are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Padmé whispered.
Then Ruwee noticed one of the men holding Padmé’s corset, and glared at him. He pointed at Obi-Wan. Ruwee frowned and ordered, “Shoot him!”
“Father!” Padmé protested. “Commander, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?”
Palo looked at Obi-Wan. “I believe thanks are in order.”
Obi-Wan shook his hand timidly, and then Palo snatched the lightsaber from his hand.
“What’s is wrong with you?” Palo asked, laughing aloud. “You just fell for the oldest trick in the book! AH! I cannot believe this, dude!”
Everyone looked at him strangely. He cleared his throat, and then glanced down at the lightsaber.
“So, what have we got here? A classic laser sword.” He looked at Obi-Wan, eyes flashing angrily. “A Jedi?”
Ruwee held Padmé away from Obi-Wan, suddenly very wary. “Execute him!”
“Keep your guns on him. Captain Needa, fetch me some irons.”
He handcuffed Obi-Wan triumphantly and gazed into Obi-Wan’s placid stare. “I know who you are... The Negotiator. Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
“Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, if you please, Sir.” Obi-Wan corrected.
Palo looked around. “How did a Jedi like you end up here in Theed? I don’t see your ship...”
“I’m in the market.” Obi-Wan said honestly.
“He said he’d come to commandeer one.” One of the guards said.
“I told you he was telling the truth!” the other stated, then handed Obi-Wan’s things to Palo.
Palo sifted through his utility belt. “Meaningless things...” He then pulled out a stone, the one Qui-Gon had given Obi-Wan a long time ago. “A rock? You are without doubt the worst Jedi I have ever seen.”
“But you have seen me.” Obi-Wan pointed out with a dry chuckle.
The men didn’t laugh though, and began to lead a chained Obi-Wan toward the end of the dock.
Padmé broke away from her father following them, a rebellious glint in her brown eyes. “Commander, I really must protest! Jedi or not, this man saved my life!”
“One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness.” Palo stated as though it were obvious.
“Though it seems enough to condemn him.” Obi-Wan supplemented.
“Indeed.”
Obi-Wan sighed and threw his chained hands around Padmé’s neck, sorry that it had come to this.
A chorus of gasps erupted, and Ruwee yelled, “No! Don’t shoot!”
“Commander Greene, my effects, please!” When Palo hesitated, he added sternly, “Commander!”
He whispered to Padmé. “Padmé. It is Padmé, isn’t it?”
“It’s Miss Naberrie.” Padmé said through gritted teeh.
“Miss Naberrie, then. If you’d be so kind. Come, come dear, we don’t have all day.”
She strapped on his belt.
“And if you’d be very kind...” She fastened his lightsaber to it with a click, then slipped the stone into his pocket. She slapped his things to him haughtily.
“Easy on the goods, darling.”
“You’re despicable.”
It’s a shame that this one believes all the Emperor’s told them, she’s fiery and a great debater. She’d be great on our side...
“Sticks and stones, love.” Obi-Wan stated. “I saved your life, you save mine, we’re even.”
“Gentlemen.” He boomed. “Milady. You will always remember this as the day you almost caught Master Obi-Wan Kenobi!”
He pushed Padmé away and escaped, swinging around and landing on a beam above them.
“Now will you shoot!” Ruwee yelled.
“OPEN FIRE!” Palo yelled.
Obi-Wan dodged the bullets raining around him, and used a rope to slide down to the ground, then ran off on foot.
“On his heels!” Palo ordered. “Obi-Wan Kenobi has a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for him to miss it!”
Obi-Wan ran, ducking into a small shop, with a rusty sign depicting a saber crossed with a blaster.
He entered the main room, crossing quietly and approaching the sleeping shop owner, a blue Toydarian.
He poked him softly to see if he’d awaken, but the blue creature only stirred and fell back asleep.
Obi-Wan set to work. He banged upon the chains with a nearby hammer axe, but he could break it. He looked up, noticing the innovative machinery around him.
Smiling, he said aloud, “Force bless whoever made this glorious machine.”
He picked up a glowing red stick and spurred the eopie the controlled the machine, then stuck his chains between two turning wheels, grinning when they broke apart.
Then, he heard a sudden noise, and hid himself.
Anakin entered the shop, a little roused by what seemed to be going on in Theed. He was surprised to see the eopie rustling and braying loudly, so he ran over and calmed it.
“Right where I left you.” he stated, glad that Watto was still asleep.
He then saw the hammer axe and raised an eyebrow. “Not where I left you...”
He turned to see a pouched utility belt and some other things sitting on the counter. He frowned, and reached a hand toward it, confused.
There was a snap-hiss and a blue blade sheathed inches from Anakin’s neck.
“You’re the one they’re hunting!” he exclaimed. “The Jedi.”
“You seem somewhat familiar. Have I sparred you before?” Obi-Wan asked, slightly curious about the Force-sensitive being before him.
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Post by arie on Oct 24, 2006 18:02:34 GMT -5
Chapter 3
Anakin gazed at the man before him, his eyes flashing with distrust. “I will make a point of avoiding familiarity with Jedi.”
Oh great, another fan... Obi-Wan thought and quipped back. “Well, then. It would be a shame to put a black mark on your record, so if you’ll excuse me...”
He turned to go, his mind still ringing in curiosity.
To his surprise, he heard a newly made lightsaber ignite behind him. Disgusted as he was that the lightsaber was being made in a shop and not by a Jedi, he realized that too was Palpatine’s fault. Mocking the Jedi, that’s what it was. The only reason the Sith even fought with sabers in the first place was to mock them... He smiled as the boy before him held his own blue blade against his.
“Do you think this wise, boy? Crossing blades with a Jedi?” Obi-Wan asked, wondering how his opponent expected to fare against a Jedi Master, with no training.
“You threatened Miss Naberrie.” Was the simple reply. However, the boy’s eyes lit up with a sudden anger.
“Only a little.” Obi-Wan admitted, for he had truly hated having to resort to such a measure. He smiled again as the boy aimed several strikes at him, which he easily parried. But when he tried to lash back, he was astonished to find that his blade met the other blue lightsaber each time.
“You know what you’re doing. I’ll give you that.” Obi-Wan said, amazed. His interest spiked even higher. “But how’s your footwork?” he wondered aloud.
“If I step here... very good...now I step again.”
Anakin executed steps that complimented the Jedi’s wondering what he was up to.
Obi-Wan was aghast. But he sensed imminent danger and turned quickly toward the door. “Ta.”
Anakin grabbed a blaster lying on the table and aimed, firing a single shot into the lock of the door.
Obi-Wan pulled, pushed and tried everything to open it, but the laser blast had melted the metal, fusing the lock into the door.
“That is a wonderful trick.” Obi-Wan said honestly. He was actually impressed. But he thought to point out, chastising the boy like he was his padawan, “Except once again, you are between me and my way out...and even though you miraculously managed to fight me well, it cannot last, you realize. I’ve been trained in lightsaber combat, you haven’t.”
Anakin ignored him and slashed at him again. The two weaved around the factory, fighting expertly, as if they were almost evenly matched. Obi-Wan contained his shock, and the two leaped next to barrels and barrels of lightsabers, their silver hilts gleaming.
“Who makes all these?” Obi-Wan asked distractedly.
“I do. And I practice with them... three hours a day.”
How peculiar. He’s not a Jedi, but practices with sabers daily... Obi-Wan had never felt so intrigued. He threw a couple more strikes at the boy, but he was blocked, once again.
“You need to find yourself a girl, young man.” Obi-Wan teased. “Or perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you’ve already found one, and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet.” He found a weird sort of delight in joking with this boy, as if he’d known him a very, very long time.
“I practice three hours a day so that when I meet a Jedi, I can kill it!” he replied heatedly as their duel continued. Obviously he’s been generously fed when it comes to lies about the Jedi.
He didn’t have much more time to wonder, for Anakin had produced a dagger out of nowhere and hooked it in Obi-Wan’s irons that still hung piteously from his left hand. He then threw the dagger upward, catching Obi-Wan by surprise and embedding him in the beam above their heads.
Obi-Wan retaliated with a swift kick to a loose board on the cart they had been swaying on, sending the boy sprawling.
Anakin shot up and jumped back on the cart, just as Obi-Wan had got himself loose. Obi-Wan plummeted, and Anakin was catapulted into the rafters.
Anakin quickly slashed a sack that was hanging by a rope, which fell onto the cart, sending Obi-Wan shooting upwards too.
They fought skillfully, balancing upon the beams in the roof. Then, they ended up upon the ground again, and Obi-Wan was surprised when the boy managed to knock the lightsaber from his hands.
Thinking quickly, he ripped open a bag of sand and threw it into Anakin’s face. Anakin sputtered and coughed. He rasped, “I HATE sand...so coarse, and rough...”
Obi-Wan pulled out his blaster and pointed it at him, not intending to actually shoot it, and called his lightsaber back to him with the Force, clipping it to his belt.
Anakin, regaining his sight, stared at Obi-Wan. “You cheated.”
“Like is said all over, my friend, what a dirty rotten awful Jedi I am.” Obi-Wan muttered. Anakin’s eyes widened in wonder.
Then, both men heard Palo’s troops outside, banging upon the door. It was slowly opening.
“Move away.”
“No.”
“Please move.” Obi-Wan stated.
“No! I cannot just step aside and let you escape.”
Obi-Wan sighed regretfully. “Don’t make me shoot this weapon, boy.” He didn’t want to. He watched Anakin for a reply, then suddenly felt the Force call a warning to him.
There was a crash of shattering glass, and Obi-Wan fell to the ground. Watto hovered above him, clutching the neck of the broken bottle.
At that moment, Palo’s troops rushed in. “There he is! Over there!”
Palo stood over Obi-Wan with a satisfied smile as Anakin brushed the sand from his hair.
“Excellent work, Sir Watto. You’ve assisted in the capture of a dangerous fugitive.”
“Just doing my civic duty, Sir.” Watto said drunkenly, swaying a bit.
“Well, I trust you will remember this as the day that Master Obi-Wan Kenobi almost escaped. Take him away.”
The men obeyed, leaving the shop.
Anakin gazed thoughtfully at the limp figure they carried. He was sure he’d heard of Obi-Wan before, perhaps earlier, during the Clone Wars...when he and his mother would discreetly watch Watto’s Holonet when he went out...
“You, boy!” Watto yelled. “Back to work!”
Anakin sighed, and began work on a new lightsaber.
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Obi-Wan awoke in stone cell, alone. He cringed, and sat up. It took him a second, but then memories began to flood back to him. That boy... in the swordsmith’s shop...
He knew he had to meet that kid again. There was something special about him.
The prisoners in the cell next to him were whistling angrily and calling out. “Here little guy! Come on!”
Obi-Wan absently noticed a small astromech droid that was holding the keys.
“You keep doing that forever and the droid is NEVER going to move.”
Obi-Wan watched one of the men turn to him and say. “Well, excuse us if we haven’t resigned ourselves to the gallows just yet. Theed Palace is a beautiful place, Sir. Beautiful. But these here gallows are said to be some of the worst from here to the Mid-Rim.”
Obi-Wan just smiled and sat himself in a corner, meditating.
--------
Padmé settled herself into her bed, grateful for the warm covers.
“There you go, milady.” Sabé said, placing a hot water bottle between her sheets. “It was a difficult day for you, I’m sure.”
“Mmmm. I expected that Commander Greene would propose, but I must admit, I wasn’t entirely prepared for it.”
“Well, milady, I rather meant you being threatened by that Jedi. Monstrous creatures, the lot of them. That must have been terrifying. ”
“Oh. Well, of course it was terrifying!” Padmé felt like rolling her eyes.
“But...the Commander proposed! Well, fancy that. Now that’s a smart match, milady, if it’s not too bold for me to say.”
“It IS a smart match.” Padmé thought of her father’s wishes. “He’s a fine man. One any woman should dream of marrying...” Except me.
“Well, that Anakin Skywalker...he’s a fine man too. I mean, he’s gorgeous...those looks are to die for, milady. His eyes... that soft, wavy hair... and those muscles!”
Padmé raised an eyebrow at the handmaiden. “That IS too bold, Sabé.”
“Begging your pardon, milady. It’s not my place.”
Sabé left the room, humming quietly to herself.
Padmé sighed at her current situation, which was about to get a whole lot worse.
------
Anakin dutifully fiddled with the cylindrical hilt piece, bringing the parts together around the glowing crystal.
He looked out at the deserted street, longing to be away from the grimy, musty old shop and into the world...
------
On top of the fort, Governor Ruwee Naberrie walked casually along with Commander Palo Greene, behind the guarding soldiers that stood among the platforms.
“Has my daughter given you an answer yet, Commander?” Ruwee asked.
Palo’s face contorted a little. “No, she hasn’t.”
Ruwee was a little disappointed. “Well, she has had a very trying day.” He looked at the blackened sky as the wind whipped around them. “Ghastly weather, don’t you think?”
“Bleak. Very bleak.”
A distant rumbling filled their ears. But it wasn’t thunder.
“What was that?” Ruwee asked, alarmed.
“CANNON FIRE!” Palo yelled, jumping atop the Governor to shield him. “RETURN FIRE!” he ordered the troops.
Fracas ensued.
Ruwee rubbed at his ears; sure that Palo had burst his eardrums.
-------
Obi-Wan was disturbed from meditation by the pounding of cannons. “I know those guns,” he murmured.
He peered out the small viewport. “It’s the Pearl.”
A prisoner nearby whispered. “The Black Pearl? I’ve heard stories... she’s been preying on ships and rebellious settlements since the Empire was born... the Emperor seeks to destroy any who oppose him, and never leaves any survivors.”
“No survivors? Then where do the stories come from, I wonder?”
-------
Cannons pummeled Theed, fire spread around everywhere.
Ex-Jedi and stormtroopers exploded onto the shores, screaming angrily. The former Jedi’s eyes now sparked an bitter, sharp yellow as they stared piercingly at the innocent townspeople.
Anakin sensed the invaders in away he couldn’t explain himself and grabbed a lightsaber and knife to fight them off.
Outside, a woman Anakin knew screamed as one of the intruders approached her. Hellene...that was her name. She worked at the bakery. Anakin, without hesitation, flung the knife at the Dark Jedi. The blade sunk into the man’s spine, and he slumped to the ground.
------
Palo shouted orders to his men, determined to fight them off.
He swung around to Ruwee, crouched worriedly behind him.
“Governor, barricade yourself in my office.”
Ruwee hesitated.
“That’s an order.” Palo said sternly and Ruwee scampered off.
-------
Padmé, who had awakened to cannon fire, ran down the steps, careful not to trip over her nightgown. She had seen the two strange men leading the stormtroopers up the path to the palace...
There was a knock at the door, and Yané hurried to answer it.
“Don’t!” Padmé yelled, but it was too late.
“Hello, maid.” Came a hoarse, grotesque voice and Yané fell to the floor, a laser gash engrained in her forehead.
Padmé screamed, but covered her mouth quickly as two pairs of glowing eyes zeroed in on her, standing on the staircase.
“Up there!” one called out menacingly.
“Girl!” the other growled, and they ran toward, Padmé, who didn’t hesitate to hasten back up as the stormtroopers flooded the downstairs levels of the palace.
She grabbed Sabé and dove into the chamber.
“Milady.” Sabé said; her eyes full of fear. “They’ve come to kidnap you.”
"What?"
“You’re the Governor’s daughter. And the Naberrie family hasn't been supporting the Empire." It was true. The commissioning of Stormtroopers and the dictatorship was not really admired on Naboo, even though it was the Emperor’s home planet. However, Naboo remained somewhat neutral, being that they possessed a negative attitude toward Jedi as well. It was all too confusing for Padmé. The handmaiden's claims were possible...
Bangings rand upon the door.
Padmé gasped. “They haven’t seen you. Hide. And the next chance you get, run to the fort.”
Sabé ran off, just as the door burst open.
One of the intruders snarled at Padmé, who threw the bed warmer’s contents into his face.
“Gotcha!” he managed to say, before yelping. “It’s hot! Ow! You burned me!”
The two ran after Padmé, but were a little distracted as Sabé fired a single shot at a storm trooper that tried to prevent her from leaving.
Padmé used the chance to run.
A falling chandelier gave her a little time to dodge into a room and trytogain a weapon, but the only thing she could find were a pair of lightsabers, locked in a glass case.
She sighed in frustration. Then she hid herself.
The door burst open. Padmé held her breath.
“We know you’re here...poppet.”
“Poppet.” The other voice said with a small harsh chuckle.
“Come out, and we promise we won’t hurt you.”
Padmé fingered Anakin’s japor snippet slowly, rubbing her hands over the carvings.
“We will find you, poppet...you’ve got something that belongs to us. It calls to us...”
Padmé felt the snippet tremble in her fingers. The pendant? No! It’s not yours! It’s Anakin’s! She was frightened, and her breath came in small shudders. Why would the Empire want this silly pendant?
The door to the closet opened, and an evil smile appeared. “’Ello, poppet.”
They were about to pull their weapons out, but Padmé set to work.
“Parley.”
“What?”
“I invoke the right of parley. According to the rules, set down by the Emperor himself, you must take me directly back to speak with his Lordship himself.”
“I know the code.” One sneered.
“If an adversary demands parley, you can do them no harm until the parley is complete. I am quite anxious to speak with the Emperor anyway. I don’t like how he runs things.” Padmé said, that rebellious glint returning to her eyes.
“To blazes with the code!” one whispered.
“She wants to be taken to his Majesty! And she’ll go without a fuss... we must honor the code.”
-------
Anakin slashed at the invaders, anger filling him. Why has the Emperor come here?
After the dissolution of the Imperial senate, Palpatine was completely in charge. Apparently he needed to dish out some punishment.
One of the stormtroopers shot Anakin’s saber from his hand, leaving him weaponless.
“Say goodbye!” he said through the helmet.
All at once, more shots rang out, and pinged into the sign above the troopers head, swinging it downward and piercing his armor, sending him flying backward through the glass window.
“Goodbye.” Anakin murmured, picking up the fallen lightsaber.
He turned, only to see a horrible sight.
Padmé was being dragged toward the ship that waited at the docking bay, the hungry jaws of the Empire swallowing her, his beautiful angel up.
“Anakin!” her sweet voice filled his ears.
“Padmé!” he called back, taking a step toward her.
A Dark Jedi jumped in front of him, grinning wickedly.
Anakin was confused, for he could’ve sworn to the Force that it was the very one whom he’d killed earlier for threatening Hellene.
He was about to swing his lightsaber at him...
“Outta my way, scum!” another Dark Jedi yelled, and struck Anakin hard with a metal tray.
Anakin’s legs turned to jelly and he sank to the ground.
-------
A hole was blown at the jail, ripping the cell next to Obi-Wan open. The prisoners climbed out gleefully.
One turned to Obi-Wan. “My sympathies, friend. You’ve no manner of luck at all.”
He then jumped out the opening, yelling with happiness.
Obi-Wan sighed and turned to the droid holding the keys. He was close, very close.
He put on a friendly smile. “C’mere little guy... c’mon.”
The droid inched a little closer, so close that Obi-Wan could read it’s number. R2-D2.
“C’mon Artoo.” He called. “It’s just you and me now. That’s right... you and old Obi... a bit closer, a bit closer... that’s it...”
The droid’s photoreceptors scanned him suspiciously as it rolled forward slowly.
“There we go... c’mon. Hurry up...that’s it, Artoo.” Obi-Wan was losing his patience. “Come on you slimy, overweight ball of grease...”
A crash rang out and Artoo skittered away.
“No, no, no! I didn’t mean it!”
Another crash and the prison guard fell down the stairs. Two intruders entered the room, looking around.
“This aint the armory!” one said.
The other approached Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan recognized the faces. One was what remained of the former Jedi Master Mace Windu, and the other was Asajj Ventress.
He sighed at the sight of Mace’s now gleaming eyes. He was Sith, under Palpatine’s influence.
“Well, well, well... look what we have here.” Ventress hissed. “Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
Mace (or the Jedi formerly known as Mace) spit on Obi-Wan’s hand venomously. “Last time I saw you, you were all alone, in a godforsaken sinkhole, shrinking into the distance.” He laughed a little. “His fortunes haven’t improved much.”
Ventress nodded.
“Worry about your own fortunes, gentlemen.” Obi-Wan stated simply. “The deepest circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers.”
Mace thrust his hand forward, clutching Obi-Wan’s throat. “You know NOTHING of HELL!” His hand glowed awkwardly, as a weird sort of light surrounded his flesh.
“So there is a curse...” Obi-Wan muttered to himself.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where we could find the necklace, Kenobi?” Ventress hissed. “We need it to lift the curse.”
“You need more than that.”
“Shut up!” Mace roared, tightening his grip.
Obi-Wan shook his head, and Mace released him, eyeing him viciously. “The necklace, described in prophecy as a mysterious japor snippet, belongs to the Jedi’s so-called ‘Chosen One.’ Once we find it, this horrible curse will be lifted.”
“What curse is that?” Obi-Wan asked innocently to his former ally.
“We cannot eat, cannot drink, Kenobi. We are, indeed, immortal, but we also feel nothing. At the birth of the Empire, the Force cast a mysterious curse over all that chose to support it, and we must stop this suffering so our beautiful Empire may flourish.” Ventress explained.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. “Beautiful? What about the Republic? Democracy!”
“You speak of the past, Kenobi.” Mace growled. “The Republic is dead. And it’s never coming back.”
The two Dark figures left, and Obi-Wan murmured, “That’s very interesting.”
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Post by arie on Oct 24, 2006 18:03:18 GMT -5
Chapter 4
The ship was crowded. Padmé, wide-eyed and admittedly slightly intimidated, was led through the grimy interior of the main section of the Black Pearl.
Haunted-looking dark figures prowled about, their gleaming reddish-tinted eyes staring at her blankly, yet so piercingly. The two Dark Jedi escorting her were just as mysterious. Padmé knew she should trust them, according to her father’s beliefs. Though Naboo itself wasn’t all too pleased with the Emperor’s control, Ruwee Naberrie was particularly strongly encased in anti-Jedi sentiment.
Traitors, he called them, despicable, grotesque traitors.
But these strange Jedi had chosen to rally with the Emperor’s pursuit of power. The right course, these days. Yet, when Padmé’s thoughts wandered to the Jedi whom had saved her...
Initially, yes, she’d treated him like the traitor he was said to be. And yet, she could hardly imagine Master Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars, being a traitor. She owed him her life, after all, and even though he had threatened her... he seemed sort of lost... For unexplainable reasons, Padmé almost wished he’d escaped Palo’s troops.
She was confused. Padmé was determined to blaze her own path in life, even if that meant breaking away from her father... but she wasn’t even sure what she herself believed about the whole thing.
Her mind was snapped back to attention when a tall figure approached the two Dark Jedi beside her.
“His Majesty didn’t tell us to bring on prisoners,” a voice within the black hood growled. Padmé felt a shiver go down her spine.
“She’s invoked the right of parley with Emperor Palpatine!” The taller of her two escorts answered, as if they couldn’t believe it was the truth.
Padmé swallowed and bravely took a step forward. “I’m here to negotiate-”
But she was cut off by a rough hand swiping angrily at her cheek and a sharp wind throwing her against the wall. Tears sprung to her eyes and she clutched the patch of reddened skin on her face.
“You’ll speak when spoken to!” The voice hissed icily.
When Padmé’s eyes cleared, she had been lifted gently to her feet, and the first thing she saw was... his yellow eyes.
The Emperor, now beside her, extended a sickeningly pale hand toward the Jedi who had struck her. His fingers curled and the figure’s hands flew to his throat.
“And you’ll not lay a hand nor saber...” he looked at Padmé. “...on those under the protection of parley...”
His gravelly voice caused another shiver to run down Padmé’s spine.
The gagging hooded man croaked, “Y-yes... y-your Maj-jesty... ah, Master S-Sidious... it w-won’t happen a-again...”
Master Sidious? Padmé thought idly.
“Make sure of it.” Palpatine said threateningly.
“My apologies, Miss.” Palpatine cooed at Padmé. “So tell me, what would tempt such a fragile young maid as yourself to confront the Emperor?”
“Emperor Palpatine, I am here to negotiate an end to your hostilities against Theed.”
Palpatine laughed bitterly. “I’m afraid we cannot do that, Miss, until we find exactly what it is we’ve come for...” He eyed Padmé oddly. A lump rose into Padmé’s throat.
“You will leave my home and you will never come back.” Padmé said boldly.
“I am sorry, but the Emperor does not take orders from skinny maidens who step too far out of line for their own good. In fact, my dear, the Emperor takes orders from no one. I’m afraid I’m making the rules.”
All at once, Padmé felt a surge of hatred toward Palpatine. She turned and stalked several steps away, the pendant banging softly against the bodice of her dress. Then, a thought struck her. She removed the pendant, and suddenly all eyes were riveted upon her.
She opened a hatch that fed into the main power generator of the ship, an incinerator of heat and energy.
“Very well. I’ll just drop this...” she said mischievously.
Several of the dark figures glanced at one another worriedly, but Palpatine just laughed. “You think that filthy piece of japor means anything to me, maid?”
Padmé was slightly flustered, but wouldn’t doubt her initial beliefs. She’d taken the pendant from Anakin on that fateful day years ago... and...
“This ship...” she thought aloud. “I saw it. From the viewport...eight years ago, after the journey to Coruscant... this pendant... you’ve been searching for it.”
“You’re familiar with this ship?” Palpatine seemed a little surprised.
Padmé nodded coldly at him, but her mind rushed with thoughts.
Eight years ago... Padmé thought in wonder... that would’ve been The Jedi Purges... when he’d first gained control... I wonder if he was the owner of this ship then...
She straightened herself and looked Palpatine in the eye. “Well, I suppose if this truly is only a filthy piece of japor, there is no point in my keeping it.”
She let it slide through her fingers a bit, and watched as many of the Emperor’s men, and the Emperor himself lunged forward.
She gave them a wise grin.
Palpatine stepped forward, the cowl of his robe nearly completely covering his face. He was laughing, a raspy laugh born in his throat and wheezed to fruition. “Do you have a name, Miss?”
Padmé’s mind whirred in distaste, and for the first time since her capture, she thought of Anakin. She wondered if he was all right...
“Padmé... Skywalker.” Padmé said, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m a handmaiden in Governor Naberrie’s palace.”
“Miss Skywalker!” The Emperor cried out, his voice constricting and frightening.
Many of his henchmen began to whisper conspiratorially.
“The Chosen One...” she heard one tell another.
“Tell me, Miss Skywalker,” Palpatine said, coming closer. Padmé closed the hatch slowly and shrunk back from him. “How does a simple handmaiden come to own a trinket like that?”
“I didn’t steal it if that’s what you mean.” Padmé spat.
“Hmmmm... very well, Miss Skywalker.” The Emperor announced. “If you hand over the japor necklace... in exchange, we’ll leave your home forever.”
Padmé allowed the beautiful pendant to fall into the outstretched slimy, wrinkled hand. Palpatine grasped it and stowed it into his voluminous black cloak.
From under his hood, Padmé caught the traces of a smile.
She suddenly felt uneasy. “Our agreement?” she said, her eyes fixed upon the Emperor.
Palpatine waved his hands around, signaling to his henchmen. They scattered around, and Padmé felt the rumble of the engines beneath her feet.
Alarmed, she looked around, watching as the ship prepared to lift.
Palpatine was moving away from her.
“Wait!” she protested, “You have to allow me back into the docking bay...”
Palpatine swung to face her.
“According to the code...”
“Your safe return was not part of our bargain, so therefore I am not inclined to fulfill your request.”
“The code...”
“The Imperial code, devised by me, can be amended, broken or changed at any time. By me.” That evil smile glinted at her again. “Unfortunately for you, that means you are staying put.”
More rumblings beneath them signaled their departure into Nabooan airspace.
“Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Skywalker.”
-------------
Anakin felt a pounding in his head as he struggled to open his eyes.
“I think he’s waking up.” A voice said.
Cobwebs clearing from his vision, he found himself lying on the street where he fallen earlier. He sat up slowly.
“Mister Skywalker?” Governor Naberrie, looking very tired and old, stood before him, alongside Commander Palo Greene and several clone troopers.
“Are you alright, Sir? We just found you lying here.” One of the troopers helped him to stand up.
Palo’s eyes seemed to scrutinize Anakin quietly.
Anakin suddenly remembered everything. “They’ve taken her. They’ve taken Padmé!” he exclaimed and took a step forward.
“Commander Climber, you may escort Skywalker back to Sir Watto and make sure he’s... settled.” Palo said coolly.
Climber and another one of his troops made to take his arms and lead him away, but Anakin swatted them back. “We have to hunt them down! We have to save her!”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” Governor Naberrie said bitterly. “We do not know where the Emperor is headed or what he has in store for my daughter. If you have any information, please share it.”
Anakin sighed in exasperation.
Climber suddenly spoke. “Kenobi. I heard he was yammering on about the Black Pearl before he was captured...”
The other troopers nodded.
Anakin glared at the two men before him. How dare they just give up? “Make a deal with him, he can lead us to it! He must know something!”
Palo’s eyes suddenly locked into Anakin’s. “Are you suggesting allying with a Jedi? Just when I thought you couldn’t sink lower, Skywalker.”
Anakin’s brows knitted as anger filled him.
“Besides...” Palo continued. “We have some of the best troops plotting their most likely course and...”
“That’s not good enough!” Anakin interjected.
Palo took Anakin by the shoulders and backed him away from the others. “Skywalker, you are NOT a commander, a captain, nor are you even a trooper. You are a sword smith, and I suggest you stay within your league.”
Anakin bit back a nasty reply as Palo whispered. “Do not make the mistake of thinking YOU are the only man here who cares for Padmé.”
He seemed to sneer at Anakin, as he motioned for the troops to lead him away.
Anakin didn’t fight them. He was already formulating a plan in his mind.
That night, Anakin stepped out of Watto’s shop as the Toydarian slept, not planning to return...
---------------
Obi-Wan gritted his teeth in frustration as he carefully tried to pick the lock of the cell with a twisted piece of metal.
A buckle from his boot.
“C’mon...please...” he murmured.
Then, he heard the door open, and footsteps sounded through the chamber.
He dropped the metal hastily and sank innocently a seated position.
The face that appeared before him was not what he had expected. He gazed inquisitively up into the shining blue eyes of the boy he’d met back at the sword shop.
“You. Kenobi.” The boy said, leaning against the bars of the cell.
“At your service.” Obi-Wan stated, curious.
“You are familiar with the Black Pearl?”
Obi-Wan looked at his boot. Yes... he thought. “I’ve heard of it.” he lied.
“Where does it dock?” he asked urgently. “Where in the capital?”
“Where does it dock?” Obi-Wan repeated quietly. What is he up to?
“Do you not listen to Holonet gossip, boy?” he said finally, a twinkle in his eyes. When he got no answer, he sighed. “The Black Pearl...” he began. “Emperor Palpatine and his dark crew dock in an area called the Works. More specifically, in a building that no one can find, except those well-trained in the Force.”
“Then you know where it is.”
“Yes.” Obi-Wan said. “But why ask me?” he wondered aloud, remembering the boy’s earlier tone toward him.
“Because you’re a Jedi.”
“And you want to become a Jedi yourself, is that it?” Obi-Wan tested.
“No!” he answered indignantly. Then he sighed. “They’ve taken Miss Naberrie.”
“Oh...” Obi-Wan began to tease. “So you did find a girl... well, I’m quite sorry, but I, being a Jedi, am not a hopeless romantic all that much... perhaps you don’t know it, but I was once held by a code against that sort of thing... and I see no profit for me in helping you.” he finished with a small hint, hoping the boy would take it.
The boy’s blue eyes darted to the bars that confined Obi-Wan. “I can get you out of this cell.”
“No you can’t, the key’s rolled away.” Obi-Wan said listlessly.
“I helped build these.” He responded, lifting a bench and wedging it into the bottom of the door. “With the right leverage and the application of strength...” he pushed down upon the wooden plank of the bench and the cell began to clatter open. “... the door lifts free.”
Obi-Wan eyed him as he continued to force the door open. “What’s your name?”
The boy looked at him for a moment before replying, “Anakin Skywalker.”
Obi-Wan let in a sharp breath. “Nice name. Strong. It means peerless and warrior... named for your father, young man?” He tested Anakin again, still unsure if he should believe that this was indeed... the Anakin Skywalker of prophecy...
“I have no father.” Anakin stated.
Obi-Wan felt a myriad of emotion swirl through him. He cleared his throat. “Well, Mister Skywalker... I’ve changed my mind. If you get me out of here, I will take you to the Black Pearl and your beloved maid. Do we have a deal?”
Anakin didn’t seem to hesitate much. “Agreed.” he said, shaking Obi-Wan’s hand.
“Okay, agreed then. Get me out.” Obi-Wan said.
Anakin applied one more push to the wooden plank and the cell collapsed to the side with a loud clang.
Anakin looked around. “Hurry. Someone will have heard that.”
“Not without this.” Obi-Wan said, grabbing his lightsaber from its spot in a banister by the door...
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Post by arie on Oct 26, 2006 16:53:47 GMT -5
Chapter 5
Anakin followed Obi-Wan as they scrambled stealthily through the quiet town. His mind was on Padmé, the woman he was sure he had loved ever since he’d awakened to her beautiful face at ten years old. In fact, she was the first thing Anakin truly remembered about life. Thinking back, Anakin couldn’t remember much of what had happened before her. He saw brief flashes of young life as a slave on Tatooine, then being freed by a mysterious man in black whom called himself Plagueis.
Anakin hadn’t talked to Plagueis much, but the man had always seemed quite elusive to him. He always acted as if he knew something Anakin didn’t, and certainly had no intention of telling him. Whether this was because he thought Anakin was a silly young boy or that Plagueis was hiding from something, Anakin didn’t know. He did, however remember asking the man about his family: his mother, his father. Plagueis had responded by granting Anakin a back-handed slap on the face and yelling hotly. He shouted at Anakin about not dwelling on the past and concentrating on his studies.
His studies... Anakin was not only skilled with a lightsaber because of his daily three-hour practice sessions, but because Plagueis had started to teach him the ways of the weapon and of the Force itself. Anakin knew that Plagueis had also planned to delve with him deeper into the teachings of the Force, but that was when their ship had been attacked by a Republic clone gunship...
After that, the memories got fuzzy. Anakin remembered smoke, and yelling. Panic... losing sight of Plagueis in the crowd.
Sometime later, Anakin’s unconscious body jerked awake after escaping in a pod to see the face of an angel.
And after that, Anakin hadn’t even wished to remember anything else.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi he could now call a partner, turned abruptly and crouched beneath the bulkhead of another ship in the docking bay where they stood. Anakin followed suit.
Obi-Wan’s eyes twinkled as he scanned the bay, then, with a small grunt, his eyes rested upon Anakin.
Anakin then followed his gaze to a beautiful Nabooan aircraft that sat upon a landing pad. It was sleek and silver, thin in design, yet perfectly sized to slip out.
“We’re going to steal a ship??? That one???” Anakin hissed. I should have known, after all the man’s a Jedi, Anakin thought secretly.
Obi-Wan eyed him, reading his thoughts. “You’re going to have to learn to trust me, boy, or this will never work. And to answer your question, we’re going to COMMANDEER a ship. I’m not correcting you because it’s a special airspace term or anything, but because it makes you sound more educated to say so. The art of language, Mister Skywalker. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Anakin decided at once to ignore this eccentric comment. “Do you know whose ship that is? That’s Commander Palo Greene’s new ship, just recently commissioned... COMMANDEERING that would be like asking for a death sentence.”
“It can’t hurt me, I’m already wanted dead, Skywalker.” Then he smiled teasingly. “So... sucks for you, huh?”
Anakin whispered angrily. “Listen, not that I wouldn’t love to see the look on Palo’s face when we take it... but that other ship... The Interceptor... is faster.”
Obi-Wan looked amused, and then replied simply. “Anakin... I can call you that, right... how far are you willing to go for this... girl?”
“I’d die for her.” Anakin said quickly.
“Oh. Well, that leaves me no liability then. No worries, my friend. No worries.”
Anakin sighed. Obi-Wan laughed quietly before reaching his hand outward, opening a small utility closet against the wall with the Force. Smiling, he withdrew a small uniform of a docking bay official and started to put it on.
“Oh, that’s right... I need to get you one too.” Obi-Wan remarked, preparing to outstretch his hand once more.
Anakin flicked his hand upward, tearing open the other supply bin. He then floated another uniform toward himself, enjoying the look of utter shock upon Obi-Wan’s face.
“How did you...” Obi-Wan began.
Anakin placed the helmet upon his head and smiled. “I may not be a filthy rotten Jedi such as yourself, Obi-Wan, but I refuse to let you believe that you are somehow above me.”
Obi-Wan blinked dazedly before the two of them dashed quickly across the bay, heading straight for the Dauntless.
Obi-Wan led Anakin onto the ship purposefully striding into the main control room and igniting his lightsaber. “Everyone remain calm, we are taking over the ship!” he called.
Anakin ignited his lightsaber as well, as gasps rang around the room. “Step this way, people. Out the door, that’s it.”
The stupefied people shuffled quickly out. Except for one.
Clone Commander Climber marched up to them, seemingly laughing behind his helmet. “This ship cannot be piloted by two men. You’ll never make it out of the atmosphere.”
Obi-Wan brought his lightsaber up, chopping Climber’s blaster and making it useless, then he swung his blade up, stopping mere inches from his throat. “Commander... I’m Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now do you understand?”
Climber, without a word, made for the exit.
Anakin spoke up. “This plan is neither madness nor brilliance, Obi-Wan. Those people will just run and tell whoever is in charge this morning, who is most likely Commander Greene himself and...”
“And they start the chase.” Obi-Wan said enthusiastically, switching several levers and bringing the ship up.
“You think this is a game?” Anakin said incredulously as they slipped out the open shield after another ship. “This is about Padmé, not your last blaze of glory before your impending death, Jedi!”
“Impending? Oh, Anakin I’m not that old...” Obi-Wan said, taking the pilot’s chair.
“Oh no.” Anakin stated, making a beeline for him. “You cannot do that, I don’t trust you.”
“You should.” Obi-Wan said. “I’ve done nothing to harm you, boy.”
“That duel in my Master Watto’s shop?”
“You started it.”
“Threatening Padmé? Calling her a strumpet, no less!”
“Aw, Anakin. Lighten up. I saved her life, didn’t I?”
Anakin’s face softened. “I am the better pilot.”
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. “Really?” Then, to Anakin’s surprise, he rose, motioning for Anakin to take the seat. “Let’s see if you’re a man of your word then, shall we, Anakin?”
Anakin sat, immediately taking control of the situation.
--------
Climber ran as fast as his armor would allow, calling up to the place where Commander Palo Greene stood, talking with the troopers about the events concerning Padmé.
“Commander! They’ve taken the ship! Skywalker and Kenobi! They’ve taken the Dauntless!”
Stunned, Palo whipped out his holobinoculars. Spotting the ship speeding out toward the skies, he spoke aloud. “Rash, Skywalker. Too rash. That is without doubt the worst Jedi I’ve ever seen.”
“But you have seen him!” A trooper dared to point out.
“Shut up!” Palo roared, angered that his ship was being stolen. “Come one, men! Get moving!”
Meanwhile, Anakin glance quickly out the viewport. “Here they come... Obi-Wan, The Interceptor is equipped with a reining cable. They’ll reel us in!”
“Yes.” Obi-Wan said, “Duh, Anakin. Geez, what is this Piloting 101?”
Anakin scowled. “That’s part of the plan?”
“That’s part of the plan.”
In no time, the Interceptor was looming above the Dauntless, surrounding it and pulling Obi-Wan and Anakin in.
Palo, the moment the ship came into view, screamed, “Search every hold, every room, down to the very floors!”
Obi-Wan and Anakin, in the meantime, snuck out through a small opening hatch near the back of the ship as Palo and all his men entered the Dauntless.
Anakin was soon inside the control room of the more massive Interceptor, discovering Obi-Wan plan. With the Jedi Master watching nearby, he disabled the reining cable and blasted into hyperspace, leaving the Dauntless floating pathetically behind.
“Yes!” Obi-Wan said, showing his approval. “Not bad for a sword smith, Anakin.”
And for some reason, Anakin felt no comtempt toward the Jedi, for the moment.
-------
Palo threw his pilot helmet to the ground in disgust. “AFTER THEM!”
“Sir!” Climber protested. “They’ve gone into hyperspace, there’s no way we’ll catch them!”
“We don’t need to catch them, just get them within parsec-range!” Palo ordered.
Moments later, another trooper, this one called Commander Appo, called sadly. “Commander, sir! The engine’s disabled and the ship won’t budge. Apparently there’s some deep burn gouges in the durasteel coverings...”
“A lightsaber...” Palo realized. Then, he groaned loudly. “Send a code down to the surface for a mechanic team.”
-------
Obi-Wan reached for the comlink, relishing his victory. “Thank you, Commander, for allowing us to pass!”
Palo, hearing the voice of the Jedi, smashed the comlink under his boot.
“That has got to be the best Jedi I’ve ever seen.” Commander Appo said.
“So it would seem.” Palo growled.
-------
The team of Skywalker and Kenobi sat in the cockpit of the Interceptor, making some conversation as the parsecs zoomed by.
“When I was just a boy, living on Tatooine...” Anakin was saying. “My mother and I were slaves, as I remember. She raised me herself. Then, after she died, I entered the world of the Force through a man called Plagueis.”
Obi-Wan was startled by the words, but remained silent.
“He didn’t teach me much, and then the Clone Wars began... our ship was caught in the crossfire of a battle and... before I know it, I end up on Governor Naberrie’s ship.” Anakin paused, before continuing. “I never had a father... or maybe I did, but no one would tell me about him.”
“Is that so?” Obi-Wan asked innocently.
“My father.” Anakin stated, suddenly looking Obi-Wan in the eyes. “You only seemed interested in helping me when you learned my name, Obi-Wan. Why? Is there something you know?”
Obi-Wan seemed to wrestle with words a moment before saying. “There IS something I know... the Jedi tell of a prophecy... which speaks of a being conceived by the Force itself and not by a father... who is said to bring about the balance of the Force.”
“And you think it’s me?” Anakin asked, eyes darkening.
Obi-Wan didn’t answer, settling deeper into the co-pilot’s chair with a sigh.
“It’s not true.” Anakin said firmly, holding back his anger. “I will not be like you. I will be a good man.”
Obi-Wan’s eyes turned bleak and almost sad. “You are strong in the Force, Anakin... and you must learn to use this great power...”
“I WILL NOT BE A JEDI!” Anakin yelled, suddenly staring and activating his lightsaber.
“Put it away, Anakin.” Obi-Wan said listlessly. “You’ll only get beat again.”
“You didn’t win. You cheated. I’d best you in a fair fight, Master Kenobi.” Anakin’s tone mocked the older Jedi Master.
“You think so?” Obi-Wan said thoughtfully. “Well then, perhaps someday... when there’s no sand around to tempt me, we shall put that theory to the test.” Then, he whipped around quickly, catching Anakin off guard with a Force-push.
This sent Anakin careening into the opposite wall, upon reaching which, Obi-Wan held him there gently with the Force.
Anakin struggled to break Obi-Wan’s iron grip but failed.
“Now as long as you’re listening, I should say what must be said. The only rules that really matter are these: What a man can do and what a man can’t do. For instance, you can accept that there is a great possibility that you fit this prophecy, or you can’t. But there is a great concentration of midichlorians in your blood, Anakin, I can tell. So you’ll have to accept THAT someday. Now me, for example. I can pack you up and send you straight down into the atmosphere again in one of those escape pods yonder... but I can’t land this ship alone upon the surface of Tatooine, understand?”
He released Anakin, who fell to the floor. Instantly, Anakin scrambled to his feet, looking at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan picked up Anakin’s fallen lightsaber, admired it for an moment, then held it out to him. “Can you pilot under the command of a Jedi...” He switched off the blade. “Or can you not?”
He tossed the lightsaber into Anakin’s hand and was pleased to see a blue blade spout out of it seconds later. “Tatooine?” Anakin questioned.
“I have a weakness for their brandies.” Obi-Wan joked.
Anakin narrowed his eyes.
“I have a plan, Anakin; it would be wise to follow it.”
Anakin nodded, and then seated himself in the chair once more, seemingly more accepting of the man alongside him than he had been when he rose.
--------
They touched down upon the surface of Tatooine within the bustling main section of Mos Espa some time later. Anakin, at first was a little wary about their suspicious appearance, but after a while, mingling within the multi-species filling the crowds, Anakin remembered vaguely how perfect Tatooine was to be a hideout.
“Now that you seem a little more respectful of the Jedi, I must tell you, boy that this planet is the host of many renegade Jedi who escaped the Purges...” Obi-Wan told him. “And we mustn’t bring too much attention to ourselves in finding them.”
Anakin nodded. “How many of you escaped?”
Obi-Wan lowered his head a moment as they walked. “A few. But not many when compared to the mass we once were.”
Anakin suddenly felt a little bit sorry for asking. Obi-Wan seemed to notice and shrugged it off. “Well, I’ll tell you, Anakin. This is where most of the Jedi in exile come... this city is suitable to hide in, you see.”
“I noticed.”
“And among the many Jedi-haters, my life can become a bit...” Obi-Wan didn’t finish. “Well, my visits here make me less...”
“Lonely?”
Obi-Wan smiled poignantly. “Well, don’t be too harsh. I’m not as depressed as I seem.”
“As you seem?” Anakin questioned. “Obi-Wan, you don’t seem depressed, you seem... eccentric.”
“Years of the Jedi Code do that to you.” Obi-Wan explained. “As I told you, we were prohibited from attachment and romantic relationships.”
“And you were in love?”
“No.” Obi-Wan stated quickly, but Anakin saw a pink tint rising into his cheeks. “But as I was saying, we are more... free now that there’s no official Order anymore.”
“What’s your point?”
“I mean, the ladies have seen me as a piece of meat, really.”
“Oh.” Anakin stated, fighting the urge to laugh. “And how does that make you feel?”
Obi-Wan shrugged. “Anakin, we’re getting off topic. Just be mindful, we may run into a few of the girls I... uhhh... denied.”
“You rejected them all?” Anakin asked. “Obi-Wan, I knew you were a hermit but this is nuts! Surely you at least liked one a tiny bit...” he goaded, gently teasing Obi-Wan.
“Not really...I...” Obi-Wan broke off at the approach of a woman. “Scarlett!” he greeted begrudgingly.
Scarlett flipped a piece of hair over her shoulder, and then swiped her hand across Obi-Wan’s cheek before storming away.
“I didn’t deserve that.”
“I’m sure.” Anakin chuckled.
Then, one of Scarlett’s friends came over. Obi-Wan gulped. “Giselle.”
Slap. Anakin noticed that she had slapped him even harder.
“My name is Cyndi.” She growled, and then followed Scarlett away.
“I sort of deserved that.”
“For more than the name thing?”
“...”
“You didn’t call her fat, did you?” Anakin asked.
-----------
Anakin wasn’t sure what plan Obi-Wan was currently hatching, but he went along with it, both out of curiosity and complete desire to get to Padmé.
Obi-Wan led him to a small hut perched in the sand on the outskirts of the city. Anakin looked at it for a moment before Obi-Wan knelt down next to the moisture vaporator outside, filling two buckets.
“What are you doing?”
“Shhhh.” Obi-Wan insisted, shoving a bucket into Anakin’s hand. “You’ll ruin the fun.”
Anakin sighed and followed Obi-Wan as he lifted the door flap and entered the hut.
Inside, a small, elderly creature snoozed upon a mat near a roaring fire.
Obi-Wan motioned his plan top Anakin who nodded, dumbfounded at his idea.
Obi-Wan suddenly sloshed the bucket in the creature direction, completely dousing him. He shot up, spluttering.
“Bring you, may the Force, a world of terrible misfortune and pain!” it squealed oddly.
Then, it scrutinized the intruders a moment. “Force, my eyes, deceive me they must! Obi-Wan!”
Obi-Wan nodded, smiling.
“Know better, you should than to wake an old tired man from sleeping. Bad luck, it is!”
“Ah, Master Yoda, but there is no such thing.”
“Why, here are you? On the run, are you?”
“Somewhat.” Obi-Wan stated, “But you needn’t worry.”
“Ahhhhhh... sense, I do, one of your old schemes boiling. And giving me a headache already, it is. Bad luck, that is, if ever I saw it, I did!”
Anakin watched their exchange, fascinated by the aged Master Yoda.
“Ah, fortunately I know how to counter it. The man who did the waking buys, the man who was sleeping, a drink. The man who was sleeping drinks it while listening to a proposition from the man who did the waking.” Obi-Wan continued, obviously amused.
“AH!” Yoda said, clutching his ears. “Making it worse, you are! Confused me, you have!”
“I’m buying you a jawa juice, Yoda, and you can sit and listen to my plan.”
Yoda looked up at Obi-Wan, eyeing him knowingly. “Fine, fine! Go, I shall. But allow me to change my clothes you must!”
On cue, Anakin threw the second bucket’s contents upon Yoda, who yelped. “FORCE! I’m already awake!”
“That was for the smell.” Anakin said simply.
“Stink, I might. Bathe first, may I?”
“Do what you must.” Obi-Wan stated, laughing.
-------
After Yoda freshened up, the trio entered a cantina. Music was blasting and there were drunken people everywhere.
Obi-Wan took Anakin to a seat and bought him a drink. “Now stay here, Anakin, while I do the talking.”
Anakin wanted to protest, but he kept his mouth shut.
Obi-Wan walked away, joining the tiny Jedi Master at another table.
“Now, Obi-Wan, what up to, are you this time?”
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Post by lauren on Dec 30, 2006 4:22:09 GMT -5
 8-)hey i loved this story, when are you writing up the next part cauyse iam looking forward to it
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