Saga - PT Star Wars Prequels Redone

As soon as Obi Wan collapsed to the darkened grass, gasping in pain, Anakin was at his side, pulling him to his feet. Slinging Obi Wan's arm around his shoulder, Anakin led him back towards the Fisher's entrance. Padme followed, supporting Obi Wan as well.

"Get a medical kit," Anakin said to Mayor Rieekan. The large man hurried inside the ship. As Anakin and Padme laid Obi Wan to rest on the cold metal ramp of the Republic craft, Rieekan emerged with a small emergency kit.

"Master, are you all right?" Anakin asked as Padme applied bandages to Obi Wan's wounds.

The Jedi Knight panted as he spoke.

"Darth Maul...very dangerous...killed Qui Gon..."

It had been obvious that Qui Gon was dead, seeing as Artoo had come in a pilotless starfighter, but that didn't stop Padme from whispering, "No!" in disbelief or Anakin from rushing to Qui Gon's fighter to make sure he wasn't inside.

"I'm so sorry, Master," Anakin said tenderly as he stroked his wounded mentor's sweaty forehead. The ship's lights illuminated Obi Wan's injured form in the night.

"He is too powerful...for any Jedi," Obi Wan grunted. He sat up against the doorway and looked around at the civilians-turned-soldiers, now all observing him in the darkness.

"You need rest, master," Anakin soothed him, "it'll be all right."

 

Obi Wan managed to climb out of the cockpit and rolled into the grass. By this time, most of the militia fighters had awoken and were crowding around the scene. Anakin cringed as he saw the blood on his mentor's arm and leg. With Padme's help, Anakin lifted Obi Wan to his feet and slung his arm over his shoulder. Padme supported Obi Wan's weight as well as they took him over to the Fisher's open ramp.

Gently, the two laid the groaning Obi Wan onto the metal ramp. The Fiser's headlights illuminated Obi Wan's injured form in the nightly environment.
"Master, what happened? Are you all right?" Anakin blurted, striking the Jedi Knight's sweaty forehead.

Obi Wan grunted, then spoke. "Darth Maul."

Anakin grew increasingly worried. He began to shake his Master in panic but felt Padme's soft hand on his shoulder. Relaxing slightly, Anakin turned to Rieekan and said, "Go get a medical pack from the cargo hold." The large Mayor hurried into the ship, carefully stepping around Obi Wan.

"Darth Maul...too strong," Obi Wan panted as he tried to fight off the pain of his wounds. He felt as though every bone in his body was on fire. Arfour wheeled over to her Master to provide a comforting presence.

"I'm sorry about Qui Gon," Padme whispered as Rieekan emerged with a medical kit. Anakin immediately began applying bandages to Obi Wan's wounds.

Obi Wan propped himself up. "I'm sorry, Princess," he said sadly, "I tried to eliminate Maul and failed. He's simply too powerful." He looked up at the starry night. Qui Gon had joined his predecessors beyond the living force and was now watching over his former Padawan. Obi Wan suddenly felt the pain of his loss as fresh as ever. Sensing it, Anakin put an arm around Obi Wan' and said, "There wasn't anything you could have done."

"We can make sure he didn't die in vain,," Padme added encouragingly, "Qui Gon sacrificed himself to defeat the Empire and we're the ones who can win this battle for him."
As Obi Wan's blood began to clot, his face formed a small smile.
"Onwards to the capital then."

Darth Maul sat in his private meditation chamber, brooding. According to his instincts, the boy was nearly at the capital with the princess and the pathetic group of assembled freedom fighters. Soon, Maul would be able to capture the boy and train him as his apprentice. He'd barely seen this Anakin Skywalker, but he had a strong feeling that he was the key to Maul's eventual domination over the Empire and the Sith Lords.
On his meditation chair was a comm button. Anxious to report to his Master, Maul activated it. The screen in front of him instantly showed the hooded face of Emperor Sidious, far across the universe. Emperor Sidious was a busy man, in charge of the Imperial governors and Clone army. Maul knew not to keep him waiting.

"Your Majesty, I have killed Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn, and Anakin Skywalker is nearly in my grasp."
Emperor Sidious looked up, and Maul could make out his aged, deformed features behind the deep cowl.
"You've done well, Lord Maul," he replied calmly, "the Republic will be no match for your fleet."

"I owe it all to your training," Maul nodded towards his Master's image on the screen.

"Flattery," Sidious said dismissively, "I do have reservations regarding this boy. Are you sure he is he one we want."

Maul gave a discreet sigh, hoping the Empeeor didn't sense it. "I felt greater Force potential from him than any Jedi in history," he replied without emotion, "including the wise master Yoda."

From beneath his hood, Emperor Sidious frowned. "Do not overestimate your attunement to the Force, Lord Maul. You may assess the boy Skywalker, but I sense he may prove a danger to the Empire."

A danger to you, you old fool, Maul thought. "I will not go against your best judgement, of course," he said. Without delay, he terminated the communication. The Zabrak stood and exited his private quarters.
As Maul stepped onto the command bridge, a red haired officer named Colonel Hux awaited him. Hux's family had a strong influence in Imperial politics and he came from a long line of Imperial military and political officials.

"My lord," Hux said urgently.

"Prepare my shuttle," commanded Maul, "it's time to confront these rebels myself."

 

By noon the next day, the small battalion of Imperial walkers had reached the outskirts of Aldera, the capital city. Surrounding it was a lush jungle filled with flora and fauna. News had not travelled to the capital of the peasant invasion, and the patrolling walkers and tanks did not attempt to stop the disguised invasion force.

Having abandoned the Fisher, Anakin, Padme and Obi Wan stood in the cockpit of the large ATAT together. The smaller ATSTs followed behind.
"When do we attack?" Rieekan inquired over the intercom. Anakin was analyzing a digital map of the city while Obi Wan observed the enemy walkers.
"This battle will be a diversion," Padme replied, "Obi Wan and Anakin will sneak out of the Walker and make their way towards the palace. We will distract the Imperial army as they do so, and make our way to the palace when Anakin and Obi Wan capture it from within."
She had it all planned out. Padme turned to her two Jedi friends. "Are you sure you can handle it?" she asked both Anakin and Obi Wan.
"It is our sworn duty," Obi Wan said modestly, but Padme knew that that was a formality. Even without the Force, she sensed the personal loyalty Jedi Kenobi felt for her and appreciated it all the more.

"I'll see you both at the palace then," she declared. She quickly hugged Obi Wan, then when he'd climbed out of the walker, turned to Anakin. The Jedi Padawan went to her and they kissed without another thought.
"If I don't see you again..." Anakin said. He'd lost too much, he couldn't stand to lose Padme too.
"Don't talk like that," Padme fretted, "we can't afford to be distracted now." Anakin composed himself for a moment. She was right.

"Good luck," he said simply and climbed out after Obi Wan.

Padme was now by herself at the controls. As she'd expected, the enemy ATAT walker ahead of the Resistance opened its hatch and a Clone officer popped out and pointed at Anakin and Obi Wan, who'd begun to flee towards the walkers.

"Hey!" the white helmeted man shouted, pointing his finger at them.

"Fire!" Padme shouted into the radio. She activated her own walker's cannons, aiming them straight at the lead enemy vehicle. The two Jedi disappeared behind the crossfire as the rebel walkers all began shooting at the patrols. The battle was on.

 

Steering the bulky ATAT, Padme opened fire on any Imperial craft in her targeting scope. The walkers under her command did the same. She could only hope that Anakin and Obi Wan reached the palace safely but for not she needed to focus on commanding the battle for Alderaan.
Soon, Padme and her forces had made it through the city gates. The ATSTs weren't hard to destroy. As the infiltrating craft paraded down the main avenue, Padme cringed as she saw the damage that the Empire had done to her beautiful city. The houses were in ruins, the stores had been vandalized, the fountain were run dry. The trees planted in groves had been chopped down.
Padme shook with rage as she thought of what the stormtroopers had done to her people.
"Princess, my scanners are detecting an assembly of enemy soldiers ahead," Rieekan said over radio. Sure enough, ahead of the invading forces was a squad of white armored troopers leading a large group of captured civilians. A single ATST looked over them all, and turned to face the invaders.

The captured prisoners at first thought nothing of what was apparently an Imperial procession and continued marching at gunpoint. The stormtroopers at first ignored the infiltrators at first, until a volley of laserfire hit the ATST accompaning them. The pilot died as soon as the walker toppled to the stone ground.

"Ground troops, just as we planned," Padme said into the radio. Her militia began emerging from their walkers, charging at the stormtroopers. The Imperial soldiers immediately began firing back at Padme's army, who were far less experienced. Fortunately, some prisoners were able to wrestle blasters from their captors amid the confusion. Padme climbed up out of her walker and joined the fight as her entire invasion force shot at the stormtroopers.
Soon, they had all been killed. Several Alderaanians had also been shot down, corpses littered on the street. Padme felt tears as she looked around at all the smoke.
No time for that, she reminded herself.
Mayor Rieekan rushed to her side. "Princess, are you all right?"
Padme nodded, and turned to the men, women and children they'd just rescued.
"I am Princess Padme Organa," she declared with all the confidence she could muster, "I am sorry I was unable to stop the Empire from taking over our beloved world, but I am here now. I intend to reconquer this planet and make sure the Empire never bothers us again!" The crowd cheered. The large assembly proceeded down the avenue, the towering palace scarcely a kilometer away.


Anakin hurried after his mentor Obi Wan down the remote alleys of Aldera.
"Master..." Anakin panted, "do we have a plan?"
Obi Wan grimaced as he continued running. The whole thing had been Padme's idea, and she only explained so much of it in advance. What was worse, Obi Wan was also tasked with keeping the young Anakin safe from danger in addition to overthrowing the imperial presence.
"Just stick close to me," the beaded Jedi Knight replied, "As long as Padme can keep the army occupied, getting into the palace shouldn't be a problem."

"I hope you're right," muttered Anakin. The streets and building were empty, as the clone soldiers and officers had moved nearly all Alderaanians to concentration camps, where they were either worked to death or immediately executed.

As Obi Wan led Anakin onto the main road, a large number of white armored troopers awaited, blasters all aimed at the two Jedi. Without thinking, Obi Wan raised his hands in surrender. Anakin's hand went to his lightsaber automatically, but then he likewise raised his hands as well, realizing that he couldn't take them on alone.

"You Jedi scum," the Clone captain snarled as he stepped forward, pistol aimed clear at Obi Wan's forehead, "you thought you could come and defeat our superior military. You thought wrong." While Anakin tensed with anger, wanting to tear the captain limb from limb, Obi Wan remained calm as the blue and white armored man held the blaster to his head.

"In the name of the Emperor, you both will die, here and now. Kneel, both of you." While Obi Wan immediately got down on both knees, Anakin defiantly remained standing. It wasn't fair that his journey would end so soon, just because he wasn't careful. Two Clone soldiers marched over to Anakin and forced him onto his knees, hitting him with their blasters.
They were a lot harder than they looked, Anakin thought as he knelt down. He looked to the left at Obi Wan, who betrayed no fear.

The Clone captain continued his speech. "The emperor is supreme over all, which you both will learn soon enough. Prepare to die." Anakin cringed as the Clone pulled the trigger. As soon as he fired, Obi Wan flicked his wrist, sending the laser backward and into the captain's helmet. The man fell to the street as Obi Wan somersaulted forwards, igniting his blue lightsaber and cutting down three more clones as he did so. Overcome with amazement, Anakin got to his feet and activated his saber as well, deflecting fire from the clones as they shot at him.
He was surprised at how easy it was, deflecting the blaster bolts and slicing up the mindless soldiers. Soon, Anakin and Obi Wan had killed them all, and made their way towards the wide metal palace gate. The marble structure itself had been damaged by Imperial attack, with many windows shattered and chunks of stone fallen off. Three large walkers guarded the gates.

Obi Wan beckoned for Anakin to stay in the shadows. "Let's hope Padme was able to make it this far," he remarked casually. Anakin remained silent as he clutched his metal bladed weapon.

Sure enough, Padme's ATAT Walker emerged into view, surrounded by a mass of armed combatants. Led by Rieekan's son Carlist, the resistance all began firing at the unprepared ATATs. Padme's Walker also opened fire, joined by four more friendly walkers.

Soon, the enemy walkers and the gate had been demolished. Anakin followed Obi Wan as they hurried over to the militia. Padme soon emerged from her walker, grinning more genuinely than Anakin had ever seen.
"Glad to see you could make it,"Obi Wan said with a sly smile.

"Now comes the easy part," Padme replied. She briefly made eye contact with Anakin, then proceeded through the gate. Anakin, Obi Wan and the rest followed without another word.


Admiral Tarkin anxiously paced the throne room, accompanied by a Clone escort and Colonel Yularen. Maul would not be pleased, nor would the emperor. He couldn't believe that despite the superior technology of the Empire, the princess had managed to penetrate his defenses with two Jedi and a small band of freedom fighters.
Suddenly, the arm of the throne beeped and the holographic image of the cloaked Maul appeared in the center of the room.
"Lord Maul," Tarkin addressed him and stopped pacing. "I assure you our forces are doing everything they can to stop the attack."
"They seem to be failing miserably," Maul commented with a sneer, "I am coming down to join you. The Jedi will be no problem for me. As for the invaders, summon the entire imperial fleet from Mustafar. The Republic will have to bow to our wishes then."

Tarkin hesitated. Maul was a radical thinker, and that was dangerous sometimes. "I will do as you say, my lord," the admiral replied. The blue image faded. Tarkin marched over to the throne and activated a channel to the rest of the Star fleet. "All Star Destroyers group in the Alderaan system," he ordered, "prepare for complete destruction of the planet."

His fellow naval officers responded in kind, and Tarkin closed the communication. He could only hope that the reinforcements could get here before the rebellion overtook the palace.

 

Colonel Hux stood at the bridge of the Nightshadow, watching as one by one, Star Destroyers appeared out of light speed, accompanied by swarms of TIE fighters.
A green uniformed captain approached him from below the deck.
"Colonel," the man said, "Admirlal Tarkin says to launch an annihilation strike on his mark. Our fleet is positioned for attack."
"Excellent," Hux replied, "let's hope that those rebels aren't able to get past our troops."
Another captain spoke up. "Sir, I'm recording interference. Something's blocking our signal."

"We're being jammed," Hux muttered to himself. He sensed that something was wrong.

The fleet of Jedi Starfighters simultaneously came out of light speed in front of the Star Destroyers. Hux flinched in surprise. "The Jedi are attacking," he said incredulously. Turning around he shouted, "send all fighters to deal with the Jedi attack!"

"Mace Windu standing by," the head of the Jedi Academy said from her Starfighter.

"Dooku standing by," the aged Jedi Master said from his own.

"Ki Adi Munro standing by," reported the Cerean Jedi. The rest of the large task force reported in via intercom and led by Windu, they all piloted at the massive armada, ready to do battle. TIE fighters instantly began emerging from all Star Destroyers and swarmed towards the Jedi fighters.

Mace piloted her fighter downward, heading straight for the nearest Star Destroyer. Her fellow Jedi knew to follow, all trusting her strategy to the fullest. Mace had sensed the death of Qui Gon, not only a trusted Council member but her good friend since their own Padawan years. However, as a part of the Jedi code she'd mastered better than any living Jedi, except perhaps Yoda and Qui Gon's old Master Dooku, she couldn't let such an attachment interfere with what she had to do.

As Mace led her comrades beneath the Star Destroyer Menace, she fired at approaching TIE fighters. She cringed as she heard the Quermian Jedi Yareal Poof shout, "I've been hit!" and saw his starfighter crash into the Menace's hull.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Dooku said in his deep voice. Unseen, Mace nodded in agreement.


Tarkin listened tensely to the blasterfire nearby, just outside the palace. He'd called for double security and extra artillery stationed at the palace, but apparently that wasn't enough. As the shooting grew louder, he said to the two clones in the throne room, "Go and make sure nobody gets in here." As the two men silently obeyed, Tarkin exchanged a worried look with the mustached Colonel Yularen. Even if the fleet was able to destroy the planet, Tarkin didn't see the good in that if he wasn't around for the Imperial victory.
Terrifyingly close outside the throne room, Tarkin heard a blastershot and someone fall dead. A minute later, Princess Padme Orgsna entered, blaster aimed at the surviving clone trooper, whose hands were raised in surrender. The princess looked angry, but also calm and at peace. She faced Tarkin with a look of cool determination, one that made him almost cower.
Behind Tarkin, Yularen drew a pistol he'd had concealed in his uniform. Two Jedi entered, both holding their deactivated lightsabers. Yularen dropped his blaster and it clattered to the floor pathetically.

One of those Jedi couldn't have been more than a boy, fourteen or fifteen at most. Yet he held his weapon wit the same confidence and skill as the older Jedi.

"You are both under arrest," Padme declared win a feeling of victory, "the imperial occupation here has ended." Tarkin raised his hands in surrender, glancing out the window in hopes of seeing bombs dropping on the citie already. No such luck.

 

Colonel Hux stood at the bridge of the Nightshadow, watching as one by one, Star Destroyers appeared out of light speed, accompanied by swarms of TIE fighters.
A green uniformed captain approached him from below the deck.
"Colonel," the man said, "Admirlal Tarkin says to launch an annihilation strike on his mark. Our fleet is positioned for attack."
"Excellent," Hux replied, "let's hope that those rebels aren't able to get past our troops."
Another captain spoke up. "Sir, I'm recording interference. Something's blocking our signal."

"We're being jammed," Hux muttered to himself. He sensed that something was wrong.

The fleet of Jedi Starfighters simultaneously came out of light speed in front of the Star Destroyers. Hux flinched in surprise. "The Jedi are attacking," he said incredulously. Turning around he shouted, "send all fighters to deal with the Jedi attack!"

"Mace Windu standing by," the head of the Jedi Academy said from her Starfighter.

"Dooku standing by," the aged Jedi Master said from his own.

"Ki Adi Munro standing by," reported the Cerean Jedi. The rest of the large task force reported in via intercom and led by Windu, they all piloted at the massive armada, ready to do battle. TIE fighters instantly began emerging from all Star Destroyers and swarmed towards the Jedi fighters.

Mace piloted her fighter downward, heading straight for the nearest Star Destroyer. Her fellow Jedi knew to follow, all trusting her strategy to the fullest. Mace had sensed the death of Qui Gon, not only a trusted Council member but her good friend since their own Padawan years. However, as a part of the Jedi code she'd mastered better than any living Jedi, except perhaps Yoda and Qui Gon's old Master Dooku, she couldn't let such an attachment interfere with what she had to do.

As Mace led her comrades beneath the Star Destroyer Menace, she fired at approaching TIE fighters. She cringed as she heard the Quermian Jedi Yareal Poof shout, "I've been hit!" and saw his starfighter crash into the Menace's hull.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Dooku said in his deep voice. Unseen, Mace nodded in agreement.


Tarkin listened tensely to the blasterfire nearby, just outside the palace. He'd called for double security and extra artillery stationed at the palace, but apparently that wasn't enough. As the shooting grew louder, he said to the two clones in the throne room, "Go and make sure nobody gets in here." As the two men silently obeyed, Tarkin exchanged a worried look with the mustached Colonel Yularen. Even if the fleet was able to destroy the planet, Tarkin didn't see the good in that if he wasn't around for the Imperial victory.
Terrifyingly close outside the throne room, Tarkin heard a blastershot and someone fall dead. A minute later, Princess Padme Orgsna entered, blaster aimed at the surviving clone trooper, whose hands were raised in surrender. The princess looked angry, but also calm and at peace. She faced Tarkin with a look of cool determination, one that made him almost cower.
Behind Tarkin, Yularen drew a pistol he'd had concealed in his uniform. Two Jedi entered, both holding their deactivated lightsabers. Yularen dropped his blaster and it clattered to the floor pathetically.

One of those Jedi couldn't have been more than a boy, fourteen or fifteen at most. Yet he held his weapon wit the same confidence and skill as the older Jedi.

"You are both under arrest," Padme declared win a feeling of victory, "the imperial occupation here has ended." Tarkin raised his hands in surrender, glancing out the window in hopes of seeing bombs dropping on the citie already. No such luck.

 

"Brace yourselves!" Mace shouted as she piloted her Jedi starfighter around the Menace's cannons, avoiding the heavy artillery blasts. She opened fire on the cannons, which then destroyed Master Yaddle's star fighter. Mace felt her loss as well and allowed it to pass.
"Enemy fighters at eight o'clock," the Nautolan Kit Fisto shouted as a swarm of Tie fighters flew under the Menace.
"Cover me while I take out these guns," Mace replied. She launched another volley of fire at the large cannon, and it exploded satisfyingly. The massive Star Destroyer swerved slightly, shifting towards the nearby Nightshadow.
"Excellent," Mace Windu said into the intercom, "we'll be able to take out more of these easier!"

Colonel Hux relayed orders to captains below the deck, frantically thinking of a plan. These Jedi were impossibly skilled, and if the imperial fleet did not turn the tide soon, it would be stardust.

"Sir!" a green uniformed officer shouted in alarm, pointing at the window in front of the command bridge. Hux screamed as he saw the Menace in flames, coming dangerously close. There was nothing that could be done. Within twenty seconds, the Menace had plunged into the Nightshadow and both Star Destroyers collided in a stunning spectacle.

"Move your fighters away from the fleet!" Master Dooku shouted.

"Arrgh!" Sifo Dyas shouted as his fighter and astromech were engulfed into the explosion. Mace quickly flee her vessel away from the massive catastrophe, but felt a hole in her heart as she felt several additional Jedi perish.

Shrugging off the lows again, she declared, "Time to finish this."


Arfour trailed behind Obi Wan as he escorted Tarkin and Yularen across the landing platform of the royal palace. Anakin followed close behind, along with Padme, who held a blaster at the two captured Imperial officers.

"With these hostages," Obi Wan said matter of factly, "the Empire will surely be forced to reach a settlement."

"Don't count on it," Tarkin snapped defiantly. Padme hit him on the back of the head with her pistol and said, "Shut up!"
Anakin suddenly felt a cold, all too familiar chill. "Master..."

Obi Wan stopped. "I feel it too." He ignited his blue blade, and Anakin followed a second later. The unmistakeable imperial shuttle was approaching the landing platform, having left the battle in orbit.

"This is bad," Obi Wan grumbled, "Anakin, I'll take care of this. Stay with Princess Padme and the prisoners."

Yularen and Tarkin exchanged gleeful looks, and Padme cringed in revolt. As soon as the shuttle landed and the hatch opened, additional stormtroopers rushed out, opening fire on the would be victors. Anakin and Obi Wan deflected the shots as Padme fired at the clones.
Taking advantage of the Princess' distraction, Tarkin charged her, knocking Padme to the hangar floor. As she struggled, Yularen picked up her blaster, pointing it at her head.
"Stop!" Tarkin shouted. Recognizing the situation, Obi Wan dropped his still activated blade to the floor, where it struck the ground and sent up sparks.

Anakin looked desperately at the trapped Padme, and at Tarkin, who held her down firmly. The remaining troopers all had their blasters trained at the two Jedi. At last, the Zabrak emerged from his shuttle, his tattooed face in a predatory grin. His horns made him appear two feet taller than he was.

"Your insurrection is at an end, Jedi," Maul declared, his black robes standing out among the white armor of his men. He drew his now-single bladed lightsaber and activated it.

"One move and she dies," Yularen declared, his mustache furrowing as he held the blaster at Padme. Suddenly, Padme seized the weapon in his hand, struggling under Tarkin's weight. When Yularen fired, he hit Tarkin in the shoulder, who released Padme and staggered back. Obi Wan used the Force to summon his blade, which cut down two clones in midair before reaching his hand. Padme wrestled her blaster from the strong Yularen, who began to sprint for the shuttle. Tarkin followed, but nobody paid them attention.

Maul came forward with his red saber, first targeting Obi Wan Kenobi. He deflected shots from Padme's blaster as his blade met Obi Wan's. Arfour wheeled herself out of the crossfire as Anakin continued battling the Clone troopers, cutting them down ruthlessly with his lightsaber. Despite his inexperience, a blaster was non match for Anakin's power.

As a blaster bolt flew towards Padme, Anakin jumped to protect her, sending the shot laser back to the trooper that had shot at her. Amid the shootout, Obi Wan struggled to keep up with Maul, expending every bit of energy into defending himself from the Sith Lord's strikes.

"Today, your life ends, Kenobi," Maul sneered, baring his doglike teeth. Behind him, the shuttle containing Tarkin and Yularen lifted off and launched towards the smoky sky above.

Roaring with rage at being abandoned by his own minions, Maul pressed his attack on Obi Wan, forcing him backwards as he lunged. As Anakin and Padme finished off the clones, they ran to assist Obi Wan as he battled his worst enemy.

"Your own master, Qui Gon, could not rival my raw power," taunted Maul, "you too, will be unable to defeat me." As Anakin approached, lightsaber at the ready, Maul glanced at him intently. This was the boy whose Force potential had created an awakening. This was the boy whom his Sith Master feared. And he had every reason to.

Maul backflipped away from Obi Wan, landing ten feet away from him. As the Jedi Knight rushed to make up the ground, Maul lifted a gloved hand, and with the Force, sent Obi Wan flying to the side.
Obi Wan grunted as he landed on the floor, his lightsaber flying out of his hand.

"Anakin!" Padme shouted as Maul charged at the young Padawan. Afraid of nothing, Anakin stood his ground, ready to take on this monster.

 

Regaining his footing, Obi Wan again used the Force to retrieve his lightsaber. Padme was shooting at Maul, who was driving Anakin backwards with his blade. Obi Wan was surprised at how well his pupil was keeping up with the Zabrak, but he could tell that Maul had the advantage.
Obi Wan sprinted towards the duel, prepared to catch Darth Maul off guard. When he was five feet away, Maul turned to him, then telekinetically lifted him into the air, all the while fending off the increasingly aggressive Anakin, as well as Padme's continued blaster shots.

"Oh no," Obi Wan grumbled as he found himself embarrassingly stuck in midair, unable to move.
Maul turned his attention back to Anakin as they made their way to the hangar's edge.

"So you're the boy who outflew my star fleet," Maul mused, clashing blades with Anakin, "your skills are most impressive."

Anakin ignored him and increased the intensity of his attack. Maul shifted his weight and sent a kick to Anakin's face. Anakin grunted and tumbled onto the hangar floor.
Still holding uo his newly constructed weapon, Anakin continued to block Maul's strikes while on the ground, not missing a beat. Even a second's miscalculation could cost him his life. Maul brought his crimson saber down on Anakin, merely striking the ground as the youth rolled out of the way. Jumping to his feet, Anakin lunged at Maul, blue clashing against red.

This whole time, Maul had been able to redirect Padme's shots with his mind, dismissing the princess as a threat compared to the Jedi. Obi Wan remained dangling in the air, helpless and frustrated. He couldn't believe that even after a month of training, Anakin nearly rivaled himself and his own mentor as a swordsman.

Maul studied young Skywalker as the two continued their fight, watching his every move. He definitely recognized Obi Wan's fighting style, passed on to him from Qui Gon Jinn, but Anakin's interpretation of the form brought more... power. More than any grown Jedi Master Maul had ever faced, and that was why he'd be the perfect apprentice to rule at his side.

 

At the palace gates, the Imperial defenders were doing poorly against the resistance, who had the element of surprise. Leading the ground troops into the palace gate, the young Carlist Rieekan beckoned his men forwards as they quickly shot down stormtroopers perched at the palace entrance.

Suddenly, Rieekan saw a small, dome shaped object emerging through the smoke. Amid the crossfire, the red astromech Arfour approached the militia army, beeping frantically.

"What is it girl?" asked General Rieekan curiously as Arfour turned her head in the direction of the landing hangar ten stories above the courtyard.

Rieekan had learned the languages of droids from his father, and could understand the basics of what Arfour was saying.

"The Jedi and the princess?" he asked as he dodged a shot from a Clone trooper above him. "Darth Maul?"

Arfour nodded.

"To the hangar, immediately!" Carlist shouted to his soldiers, starting towards the large brass palace doors.


Concentrating with all his will, Obi Wan finally managed to break free of Maul's Force-prison. Bringing his lightsaber over his head, Obi Wan ran towards the duel between Anakin and Maul. As Maul continued to gain ground against the increasingly tiring Anakin, he began to devote all his focus into the duel. Striking at the young Padawan with malice in his heart, Maul was caught off guard as Princess Padme shot him in the arm.

Grunting with pain, Maul staggered to the side. Continuing to defend against Anakin's blows, Maul reached out and grabbed Padme with the Force.

"No!" Anakin roared.

"Your feelings for her are strong," Maul goaded, his yellow eyes stabbing through Anakin's head. He telekinetically pulled the struggling princess towards them. At the same time, Obi Wan came up on Maul from behind.
The Dathomirian Zabrak sent a backwards kick, hitting Obi Wan in the groin. As Anakin's blade met his own, Maul sensed a disturbance in the Force. Footsteps and blasterfire were growing louder.
As Obi Wan regained his balance, he soon gained an offensive advantage as well as Anakin, forcing Maul to retreat. Several figures suddenly appeared at the hangar entrance, shooting in Maul's direction.

Looking up at the open ceiling, Maul saw at least twenty Jedi starfighters approaching from the battle stricken late afternoon sky.
His mission would have to wait. He'd live to fight another day and come back stronger than ever. Force-jumping over the heads of Anakin, Obi Wan and Padme, Maul deflected the blasterfire as he made his way towards the ledge overlooking the city below.

"You'll see me again soon enough, young Skywalker," Maul snarled, "and when you do, don't think it will be so easy." With that, he stepped off the ledge and fell towards the palace courtyard below. The trio watched as Maul used the Force to slow his fall. The Jedi starfighters touched down onto the hangar floor just as the blasterfire ceased. Padme's army began to cheer for their princess as the Jedi emerged from their fighters. The battle was over.

 

The conquering army rushed towards their heroes, bowing at the feet of Princess Padme as they reached her. Padme looked past the approaching crowd towards Anakin, who was still staring down the end of the platform at the dark figure disappearing into the shadows...
Feeling her glance, Anakin turned to face Padme and returned her smile. She ran into his arms and they embraced celebratorily. No words seemed adequate at the moment, so both were satisfied with each other's comfort.
Obi Wan was far more formal as he bowed to the twenty surviving Jedi as they all emerged from their starfighters. They were much less in a celebrating mood than the cheering Alderaanians flooding the hangar. The Jedi knew better than anybody what it meant that Darth Maul had fled, and the losses among them didn't help matters.
Obi Wan made his way to an elderly Jedi Master, one who he sensed shared the grief he felt.

"Is it true?" Dooku quietly asked Obi Wan. He looked more forlorn than Obi Wan had ever seen him. He bowed his head sadlyz

"Yes," Obi Wan replied, "Qui Gon died bravely for the Republic and the Jedi." He put a hand on Dooku's shoulder, commiserating with his Master's master.

"Qui Gon was the best pupil I ever taught in nearly sixty years," Dooku said, his deep, resonant voice cracking, "I never knew another like him."

Qui Gon's former Master and Padawan composed themselves as Master Windu approached them. She sensed the feelings of the two men, and for a brief moment, silently joined in on the sadness, mourning her old friend and colleague.
Then she spoke with utmost seriousness. "This conflict is far from over. Darth Maul could be far from Alderaan by now, and the Empire has hundreds of additional Star Destroyers and millions of clones."

"I believe we should consult with Master Yoda before deciding on a course of action," Dooku replied. The trio made their way among the swarming crowd towards the young victors. Anakin made eye contact with Obi Wan, sensing his troubles and briefly letting go of his elation. Obi Wan's nod told him not to worry.

"Your majesty, we are pleased to see that you are unharmed," Mace Windu said, respectfully bowing to her.

"I was willing to risk my own safety for the cause," replied Padme with grace and disguised indignation.
Mace turned to young Anakin, who gazed at the stone hangar floor in intimidation.

"You did well yourself, young one," she commented regally, "not many can face a fully trained Sith Lord."

"Thank you Master," Anakin muttered, finally bringing himself to look at Master Windu in the eye. Padme squeezed his arm as he did so.
Suddenly, Mace looked past him at the sunset above, where a large Republic shuttle could be seen descending onto the platform. All the Jedi and civilians regarded the chancellor's ship as it landed. The ramp slip out as the hatch opened, and an assembly that included Chancellor Palpatine, Senator Bail Organa, See Threepio, and two red robes body guards processed out.

"Uncle Bail!" Padme exclaimed, running to her uncle, who picked her up in his arms.
"I was so afraid for you," he said, forgetting his dignity in front of the chancellor and Jedi. The crowd of Alderaanians regarded Bail as well, pleased to see their beloved senator.

"Masters," Palpatine bowed to the party that had come to greet him.

"Chancellor, the Imperial blockade had fled as well as the Sith Lord Maul," reported Mace Windu concisely.

Palpatine stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then he'll return to his Emperor, and continue to plague planets across the galaxy," he replied, "nothing but war will stop him now."

The high ranking Masters looked at each other grimly. Palpatine was right. It seemed as though he had calculated this in advance, taking satisfaction in the complete destruction of the enemy.

"We'll prepare what force we can," Mace declared, "but I'm afraid the Jedi we have won't be enough."

"We will worry about that in due time," Palpatine said dismissively. He had noticed Anakin regarding him curiously. He returned the boy's gaze and turned back to the Jedi. Young Skywalker would play a very important role in the future of he galaxy, that he knew for sure.

 

It was night on Ossus when Mace Windu and Dooku had returned, along with the remaining Jedi survivors. As usual, the ancient Master Yoda sat meditating at the entrance to his cave as Mace and Dooku arrived at the mouth.

Opening his eyes, Yoda stood up on his small, aged feet and faced the two humans.

"Master Mace, Master Dooku," he said as the masters bowed to him, "a pleasure it always is."

Mace got straight to the point. "Our forces were able to defend Alderaan from the Imperials," she reported grimly, "but I'm afraid Darth Maul has escaped."

Yoda closed his eyes and thought deeply. Centuries ago, he'd had a vision of a clone war, one that would topple the cradle of civilization that was the Old Republic. How the Empire had acquired a clone army and developed such a strong military was a mystery, but what wasn't was that it would surely strike again.

"Until captured the Sith are," Yoda declared in his gnarled, raspy voice, "The Republic has no choice but to go to war."

"Chancellor Palpatine has called on the Jedi to fight against the Clone army," added the white bearded Dooku, "and the Senate has approved the motion. I fear we must become soldiers in order to defeat the Empire."

"The Jedi will do our part for the galaxy," Mace said determinedly, "but we will not allow the Chancellor to use the war for his own political advantage. I sense darker motivations behind his actions."

"Until anything is for certain," Yoda said quietly, staring out of his cave into the night sky, "concentrate on the present we must. For now, the Empire, our true enemies are."

The old green Jedi Master paced the rocky cave, darkness increasingly clouding his vision. "Begin the clone wars have."

Far away, on the planet Onderon, an imperial blockade was sending gunships to the planet's surface, filled with both soldiers and weapons of war. On Christophis, TIE fighters launched air strikes against cities, easily taking out Resistance.
On Felucia, the fungal habitats were set ablaze as stormtroopers raided villages that were taken by surprise. Indeed, the worst was yet to come.


A parade proceeded down Aldera's main avenue. Crowds cheered on the sidewalks as fireworks burst in the air, and musicians played a fanfare. Following the band was a ackalay-drawn carriage that contained the soon to be Queen of Alderaan. Behind the royal carriage was an assembly of local guards, dressed in blue shirts and black vests. Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker were among the party awaiting at the palace gates, both dressed in their finest Jedi robes. Arfour stood by her master as usual, and Anakin had been given Artoo Deetoo, who likewise took part in the procession.

A proud uncle as ever, Senator Bail Organa held his niece's crown as she stepped out of the carriage, followed by two handmaidens. The roar of the crowd grew louder as Padme stepped up to the palace gates and knelt.
"Oh, I could just melt," Theeepio remarked as Padme knelt on the stone steps. Without hesitation, Bail gently placed the crown on her head. He'd always known his day would come, he just hadn't expected it to be so soon and in these difficult circumstances. Nonetheless, he returned Padme's smile as she looked up at her uncle.

Next, Padme turned to the two Jedi that she had invited to her coronation. Silently, she bowed to the beaded Obi Wan, who formally bowed back. Then she surprised the Jedi by wrapping him in a tight hug. Moving on to Anakin, Padme discreetly kissed him on the cheek, then simply gazed into his proud face.
They both knew that a relationship would be difficult with both their commitments, but they silently vowed never to stray from one another. As Anakin tried to sense what the future held, he could only see the beautiful young woman looking back at him. And for the moment, he stopped worrying about it and grinned back at the new Queen.

"Long live Queen Padme!" Bail Organa shouted, raising his hand in salute. The massive crowd repeated his chant and saluted tbeir queen as well. The two astromechs beeped in harmony to the music, and the assembled guards fired their blasters in the air as a tribute. Although dark days lay ahead, the coronation of Padme Organa was a happy occasion, and one that could provide temporary refuge from the inevitable future.

The End

Next: Episode II: Rise of the Empire

 

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Star Wars Episode II: Rise of the Empire

A dark shadow of war looms over the Jedi Knights. For seven years, the Republic has been at war with the Galactic Empire, which seeks to control the entire galaxy and eradicate democracy from all systems.

Led by the Sith Lord Darth Maul, the Imperial military and its army of clones have reached the height of their power, scattering the limited number of Jedi across the galaxy. In a daring and swift move, Lord Maul's forces have infiltrated the Republic capital world of Coruscant and kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine.

With the Republic capital under siege, the Senate has called upon Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker, to launch a bold rescue of the captured leader, and stop the Empire from winning the war...

 

During the intervening years, the Republic had developed an impressive fleet of its own, but it was still no match for that of the Empire, which had spent decades before the Clone Wars preparing a vast military. As the Imperial Star Destroyers hovered around the besieged capital of Coruscant, Tie Fighters quickly took down attacking X-Wing Fighters, mainly flown by inexperienced draftees. In addition to the Jedi Knights, the Senate had made a motion to draft millions of individuals into the Grand Army of the Republic, though it was still largely outgunned by the Empire.

Despite the weakness of the Republic fighters and cruisers, they were capable of doing their job, which was to keep the Imperial fleet at bay. The real mission was for the two Jedi starfighters that streaked across the war-ridden sky, watched by billions below in the ruined city. Two jets of yellow and red flew across the battlefield, one target in mind for both pilots.

"Master, watch for three fighters on your left," Anakin Skywalker said into his headset. He'd been Obi Wan's proud Padawan for seven years now, all of them fighting bravely alongside his Master and the legion of soldiers they commanded. Now, at the age of twenty-one, Anakin felt more ready than ever to be a Jedi Knight. He knew that he'd surpassed both his Master and many experienced Jedi in both mastery of the Force and lightsaber combat, but he also knew that patience was a cornerstone belief of the Jedi. His time would come.

"I see them!" replied Obi Wan through the intercom, "I'm under heavy fire over here!" On the wing of Obi Wan's fighter, his trusty astromech droid, Arfour, attempted to zap several Imperial drones that were swarming the fighter.

"I'll cover you!" Anakin said, steering his fighter downwards. Putting all his faith into the Force, he blasted at the TIE fighters locking onto Obi Wan.

"We got em, Artoo," he crowed, addressing the blue and white droid perched in his own fighter. Artoo Deetoo, who once belonged to Obi Wan's Master Qui Gon Jinn, beeped in response.

Suddenly, Anakin's fighter rocked as he felt a blast hit its wing. Additional drones were onto his fighter.
"I hate those things," he grumbled as Artoo attempted to fend them off.

"General Kenobi," the voice of Mon Calamari Republic Commander Ackbar said through the radio from the Republic Cruiser Home One, "we've cleared an oath to the Executor." Indeed the main command ship lay directly ahead, ten times larger than any other Star Destroyer

"Great!" Obi Wan replied as he blasted at the Tie Fighters and drones around him, "now if we could just get out of this little...situation!" In the wing of his ETA 2 Interceptor, Arfour-P17 ignited a small flame, spraying it at the swarming drones.

As the small flying droids burned, Obi Wan said triumphantly, "Good work, Arfour. Anakin, you having any trouble."

"I can handle it," replied his young apprentice as he steered his Interceptor to a more advantageous position, "go on ahead." Forgetting about the technological fighter controls, Anakin reached out with his mind. In four seconds, all surrounding drones were dismantled and he was piloting alongside Obi Wan. Anakin had always felt relaxed in a cockpit, unlike Obi Wan.

"The chancellor is dead ahead," Obi Wan said as they flew underneath Star Destroyers towards the gargantuan Executor.

"And Darth Maul," Anakin added darkly. He had a growing feeling of dread, as if he was flying into a black hole.

"Focus on the mission, Anakin," reprimanded Obi Wan, sensing the thoughts of his apprentice, "rescuing Palpatine must come first."

"Of course," sighed Anakin impatiently. Amid the heavy cannon fire, he stared ahead at the awaiting Executor, where the dark side felt stronger than ever.

 

As the two Jedi Interceptors approached the Executor's entrance, the Republic star flew continued to defend them from the Imperial craft. However, blocking the path into the Super Star Destroyer's entrance was an electric ray shield.

"This is going to be easy," remarked Obi Wan lightly.

"I got this," Anakin said confidently, firing his fighter's lasers at the controls on the side of the shield. Behind them, TIE fighters continued to approach.


"I'm under fire again," Obi Wan groaned, more exasperated than worried, "I have no idea how the Empire gets all those TIE fighters."

"I'll take care of them, Master," Anakin said, preparing to turn his fighter around. Obi Wan's had started to burst into flames as Imperial pilots surrounded it.

"The mission, Anakin!" Obi Wan shouted, "you have to get to the chancellor! Forget about me!" Arfour beeped worriedly as Obi Wan's red Interceptor suffered heavy damage.

"I'm not leaving you behind!" Anakin replied stubbornly, "Artoo, launch the torpedos." Artoo whistled his compliance and a second later, heavy proton missles launched out at the Tie Fighters. As the fighter nearest Obi Wan crumpled, it's wing took off Arfour's domed head with it.

"No," Obi Wan groaned, sadness in his voice, "I've lost Arfour." She'd been his faithful companion for years, serving on many missions both during his years as a Padawan and a Jedi Knight. Now she was gone, with Qui Gon. Soon he'd be with them. His fighter would burn up, and he'd be stardust.

Suddenly, Obi Wan felt a light bump on the back of his crumbling fighter. "Anakin, what are you doing!" Even he couldn't be so reckless. Was he trying to get Obi Wan killed?

"Just helping with your steering," Anakin replied, nudging his master's Interceptor towards the Executor's entrance with his own. He'd learned long ago that there was nothing he couldn't do.

"Have you noticed the shield's still up?" The electrical field was so close that Obi Wan could almost feel it. Or maybe it was the flames overtaking his starfighter.

"I'll take care of that in a minute," Anakin said with surprising confidence. "Artoo." The blue astromech rose from his socket and sprayed light jets of water at Obi Wan's fighter. Just as the fire began to engulf the cockpit, Artoo managed to put it out.

"What.." Obi Wan stammered, unsure of what had just happened.

"You can thank Artoo later," Anakin said with the same cocky tone Obi Wan had come to find both annoying and endearing, "now about that shield." He fired at the side panels, hitting them without an inch of miscalculation.
The electric shield faded and the main hangar of the mammoth Star Destroyer laid wide open.

As Obi Wan's fighter dove for the hangar floor, he braced for impact. Anakin flew right at this side, smoothly landing as Obi Wan crashed. Luckily, he was unharmed. Artoo hovered by Anakin's yellow fighter and landed on the floor beside him.

Predictably, about twenty white-armored clones waited for the two Jedi as they emerged from their fighters. A human officer in a green uniform stood in front of the pack.
"Surrender, Jedi scum," the man ordered. And as always, Anakin and Obi Wan activated their blades in perfect harmony, deflecting the oncoming blasts from the stormtroopers.

"We'd better get to the elevator!" Obi Wan shouted as he began to run in that direction. More Clone troopers came to assist their comrades, opening fire on the Jedi.

Anakin followed his Master to the elevator on the other side of the Executor's hangar, continuing to deflect the stormtroopers' shots at them with his lightsaber. Unnoticed by the Imperials, Artoo had slipped over to the elevator and activated the control panel with his built in drive, allowing the Jedi to enter it easily. As the elevator door slid shut, an alarm could be heard indicating that there were intruders aboard.

"Do we have a plan," Obi Wan asked once they were safely moving up.

"Artoo," Anakin gestured to his astromech droid. A holographic blueprint of the Executor appeared atop Artoo's domed head, showing the entire structure.

"Darth Maul's chamber would be here," Anakin said, pointing at the location in the hologram, "that must be where he's keeping Palpatine."

Obi Wan paused and closed his eyes. "I sense a trap. For us, personally." It was true that for seven years, Maul had had a score to settle with both of them, never liking to leave business unfinished.

"What's our next move?" Anakin asked, a cold feeling running down his spine.

"We spring the trap, of course."

 

Hundreds of miles below, Galactic City was a shadow of its former self. Skyscrapers were in flames, people fled in the streets for shelter, and the only air traffic was the dogfights between Imperial shuttles and Tie fighters and Republic X Wings and gunships. Smoke covered the streets, and rubble flew everywhere.
On the large balcony of the dome shaped Senate building where a squadron of Clone commandos had captured Chancellor Palpatine, an assembly of Republic officials stood anxiously watching the conflict far above. Among them was the radiant and steadfast Queen Padme Organa of Alderaan, accompanied by her uncle Senator Bail Organa and his protocol droid See Threepio.
Padme was perhaps more nervous about this battle than any other, for while the fate of the Republic hung in the balance, so did that of the one she cared about the most, Anakin Skywalker.
At first, it had been difficult to see each other, as Anakin had been constantly on Ossus training with his Master Obi Wan. As he got older, Anakin had become free to travel, and often visited Padme's royal palace. After a few years, they'd become lovers.
For all her devotion to her planet and the Republic, Padme couldn't imagine how she'd last without not only her lover but her closest friend and confidant.

"It'll all be all right," her Uncle Bail assured her, patting her arm, "out military is capable of holding off an attack from a hundred Star Destroyers."

"I have a terrible feeling," Padme whispered, so that nobody else on the balcony could hear, "What if they're walking into a trap?" She knew nearly nothing of the Force that Anakin and the other Jedi practiced, but her gut told her that Anakin had no clue what he was getting into.
She stared up at the silhouette of the Executor, where she knew that the most evil Sith Lord awaited her sweetheart.

"I have to go," Padme said suddenly. She knew she wasn't being rational, but at the moment, that wasn't the idea.

Bail knew exactly what his niece was thinking. He knew how she felt about the young Padawan and when Padme cared about something, she'd take any risk for that. She'd proven that seven years earlier when the Empire had invaded their homeworld Alderaan.

"There's nothing you can do," he urged, "don't go!"

"Your majesty, wait!" Captain Antilles shouted. Padme had already started towards the landing platform where her personal shuttle awaited.

"Padme, please!" Bail cried as the ramp to her starship opened. Padme wasted no time in taking off.

"Sometimes, I just don't understand human behavior," the golden Threepio muttered.

Bail hopelessly ran after the departing ship. "She's going to get herself killed." A queen flying right into a war zone to save a Jedi.

Beside Bail, his good friend Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila spoke up. "Perhaps we should contact Home One to send a recon after her."

Bail paused, still in disbelief about how rash Padme had just acted. "Yes," he finally said, "we'd better do that right away."

Senator Mothma withdrew a comlink from her white robes and activated it. "Home one," she said, "this is ground control. The Alderaanian queen has gone into the battle zone. Send Red Squadron to keep her out of danger."

In the Republic's main command ship, Admiral Ackbar replied, "Yes, Ground control, this is Home One, we will get right to it."

Into another channel, he ordered, "Red Leader, take your X Wings and locate Queen Organa's shuttle. She is flying straight into the danger zone."

"This is Red leader standing by," replied a voice into the radio, "we're on it right away."


In the cockpit of her royal starship, Padme flew straight out of the atmosphere into the crossfire, where the Republic and Imperial ships were doing battle. She was fully aware of the dangers that lay ahead, she'd experienced them before. Two of her closest comrades were in terrible danger and she wouldn't leave them to die, as they hadn't when her planet had needed saving.
Padme closed her eyes as she piloted her shuttle around laser beams and debris, letting out all her fear. Her screen indicated that a swarm of X Wings were hovering near her, presumably to protect her. As if she needed it. Accelerating the engines of her ship, Padme aimed it straight for the looming Executor and flew right into the belly of the beast.


Darth Maul's chamber overlooked the battle of Coruscant atop the Executor. Sitting in his throne was not Maul himself but the captive Chancellor Palpatine, chained to the chairs by the arms and legs. He oddly looked at home sitting with two stormtroopers guarding him. Palpatine had aged gracefully since the start of the war, and regarded the present situation with his usual calm, calculating demeanor. His grey-white hair shined brightly in the dark hangar.
The hooded Darth Maul stood on a balcony overlooking his chamber. His red face was covered in tattoos and his concealed horns gave him a devilish appearance.
For years, Maul had sensed the potential of Anakin Skywalker and today would be the day the young Jedi would join him. Since their duel on Alderaan, Maul had been obsessed with the boy and had long conspired to draw him in. Now, as the rest of the Jedi were spread out across the various worlds, Maul and his Master, the Emperor himself, had seen the opportunity to lure Skywalker into the ultimate trap.
However, as was the way of the Sith, Maul did not plan to share power with Emperor Sidious for very long. Once Skywalker was fully recruited into the Sith, Maul would take his Master by surprise, ruling with Anakin as his apprentice.

It was no accident that the two Jedi were easily able to enter Maul's chamber. Such pawns they were, the Zabrak Sith thought as he watched them from above, activating their silly blue sabers.

As soon as Anakin and Obi Wan had entered, the two stormtroopers flanking Palpatine raised their rifles, firing on the two intruders. Three seconds later, both of them were dead.

"Chancellor, I hope that you are well," Obi Wan said with a formal bow, as if they weee in completely normal circumstances.

Palpatine looked up past Obi Wan's shoulder. "Lord Maul." Anakin and Obi Wan turned to see their old foe walking causally down the steps towards them.
Maul threw back his hood and removed his black cloak, revealing his ominous horns. His yellow eyes bore into Anakin like drinks. Anakin stared him back down with hate. Maul sensed that hate and grinned.

"Get help," Palpatine urged with evident fear, "you're no match for a Sith Lord!"

Obi Wan turned back to the chained ruler. "With all due respect, jedi have been dealing with Sith for centuries." He and Anakin kept their blades activated as they faced Maul.

"I was expecting both of you," Maul said calmly, drawing his saber from his belt, "its time to finish what we started, all those years ago."

"You won't get away this time, Maul," Anakin snarled at him, feeling his anger rise, "you're reporting back to your emperor in pieces."
Maul seemed to glance at Palpatine in amusement for the slightest moment. Then he regarded Anakin and said, "I see you have become a man, young Skywalker. I expect you have been anxious for a test of your skills. Today you'll finally meet your match."
He activated the crimson blade.
"Show your Master that you are ready to become a Jedi," Maul tainted, knowing this would hit Anakin hard.

"No Anakin!" Obi Wan shouted as Anakin impulsively lunged at Maul and struck at him. The battle had truly begun.

 

As Maul recovered from the speed of Anakin's attack, he began to retreat back up the steps where he'd have the high ground. The Zabrak turned to face his two adversaries.

"We'll take him together," Obi Wan chided, "Anakin, you go from the left and..."

Maul had used the Force to detatch a pillar from the balcony and send it at Obi Wan. The Jedi Knight jumped up out of the way and it crashed into the floor behind him. Side by side, Anakin and Obi Wan charged up the steps at Maul, who met their simultaneous attacks with his own lightsaber. He then kicked Obi Wan in the stomach, hoping to isolate him from Anakin.

Obi Wan recovered fast, however, and again struck at Maul. The Sith Lord back flopped away from the pair and reached out with the Force, lifting Obi Wan off the metal floor.

"Master!" Anakin shouted. As he ran at Maul, the Zabrak casually flicked his wrist, sending Obi Wan crashing down the stairs. He prayed that the older Jedi had broken his neck, but there was no time to make sure.

Anakin now stood alone against Maul, and was advancing quickly. Maul had to take the defensive in order to keep the young man at bay.

"I sense great fear in you, Skywalker," Maul said, baring his doglike teeth, "you have hate. You have anger. But you don't use them."

"My powers have tripled since we last met, Lord Maul," retorted Anakin, continuing to press his attack with his blue blade.

Maul couldn't deny that was true,

 

Padme hated to admit it, but she couldn't have landed safely on the Executor without the protection of the X Wings surrounding her ship. As a queen, she felt a need to be independent and not rely on others to save her, but she could not deny that a war zone was the worst place for a monarch to be. However, queen Padme knew that Anakin and Obi Wan were in trouble and needed her.

As she exited her starship, pistol in hand, the Red Squadron landed their X Wings by it.

"Your majesty!" the lead pilot exclaimed as he ran up to her, "what were you thinking, flying into the battlefield?"

"No time to explain," Padme replied as stormtroopers came flooding into the hangar. The sergeant gestured to Padme and said, "Lord Maul wants her alive. Kill the rest." Padme and Red Squadron opened fire on the clones. They fired back, and precisely shot down all eight members of Red Squadron.

"Take her to Lord Maul's chamber," the Clone commander ordered as two troopers approached Padme, blasrers aimed.

Padme dropped her blaster and reluctantly raised her hands. She fought off the old fear that had haunted her before, she couldn't afford to let fear overcome her now.

As Anakin increased the intensity of his lightsaber attacks, Maul responded with matching strength. He prayed that the Sith Lord would not make a move on the unconscious Obi Wan. At the same time, he couldn't lose focus on his duel. Anakin had thought himself more powerful than any opponent, but Maul was proving that when he had limits.

Maybe I'm not ready to be a Jedi Knight, Anakin thought. Maul smiled as he sensed Anakin's lack of confidence.

As the two stormtroopers led Padme down the corridor at gunpoint, one of them said through his helmet, "Youre going to be executed for sure, your majesty. I hope I get to do the honors."

"Don't count on it," snapped Padme. Suddenly, she shifted her weight to one side. She stuck out her foot and the trooper on the right stumbled over it. Padme shoved him back towards his comrade as the other stormtroopers raised his blaster. She seized the first clone's gun and wrestled it from his grip. Padme shot both clones before they could recover.

Feeling better, Padme hurried into the large chamber ahead. When she entered, Obi Wan was laying unconscious beside the throne, where Chancellor Palpatine was shackled.

"Queen Organa, what are you doing here?" exclaimed Palpatine as soon as she entered, "you should know better than to fly through a battle!"

Padme ignored him and looked up to the balcony above, where Anakin was dueling with Darth Maul.

 

"Perfect," Maul said, Force-jumping down to the floor, "now it's going to be interesting." As Padme shot at him, the Zabrak used the Force to disarm her and lift her off the metal surface.

"Padme!" shouted Anakin. Maul deactivated his blade and clipped it to his belt. With the other hand, he lifted the unconscious Obi Wan into the air as well.

"I sense your feelings for them are strong," Maul taunted as Padme choked in his telekinetic grip, "the question is, which one would you rather have die?" Anakin stayed rooted to the spot, helpless. Palpatine sat calmly brooding the situation.

"Let them go!" Anakin said pointlessly. That line never worked, but he knew that if he made the wrong move, either Padme or Obi Wan would die. It infuriated him that Maul had gained the upper hand so quickly.

"You must choose, or I'll choose both of them," replied Maul, "you cannot win, Skywalker."

What did this Sith Lord want? Anakin wondered. Sweating intensely, he deactivated his blue saber and threw it to Maul.

"That's a good boy," Maul said, keeping his yellow eyes trained on Anakin, "now tell me who you'd rather spare.

Anakin quickly looked at Obi Wan's saber lying about fifteen feet behind Maul. In an instant, he stretched his hand out to it, and the activated blade flew to him as he sprang at Maul. The startled Zabrak was forced to release both hostages and retreated from the advancing Anakin. As soon as Padme fell back to the chamber floor, she pointed her blaster at Maul and fired.

Maul leapt out of the way, but Padme's shot had hit him in the knee. He staggered and fell to the deck.

"Nice shot," Anakin said.

"Anything for my skyguy," replied Padme teasingly as she kept her blaster aimed between Maul's horns.

Anakin used the Force to undo Palpatine's chains.

"Well done to both of you," the chancellor said as he stood up, "capturing the most dangerous Sith Lord alive."

"Let us off your Star Destroyer and order your entire fleet to retreat," Anakin commanded as he held his blade to Maul's neck.

Maul glowered back up at him in a failed attempt to hide his humiliation at being bested by a pacifist queen and a Jedi apprentice.

"I could just use the Force on you," he threatened. With a casual flick of the wrist, Anakin cut his blade through both of Maul's hands, detaching them. Both sizzled hands fell to the deck and rolled away, leaving a trail of blood.

"Stand up and walk with us to the deck," Padme demanded, keeping her blaster at his head.

 

Aboard the Republic command ship Home One; the Mon Calamari admiral Ackbar watched the battle in space progress. The Imperial fleet had an undeniable advantage over their own, but Ackbar's cruisers were keeping them at bay effectively nonetheless.
In front of Ackbar on the comm station, a small hologram of Senator Mon Mothma appeared.

"Admiral, is the Queen of Alderaan safe?"

"Our X Wing fighters were able to guide her aboard the Executor," replied Ackbar nervously, "but I don't know what's happened to her since."

"Continue to fire, but do not destroy Maul's ship until you are sure the queen and the Chancellor are safe."

"Yes, of course," replied Ackbar.

Below the deck of the Executor's command bridge, green-uniformed captains remained at their positions, awaitin orders from Lord Maul. Many of them looked up at the sliding metal doors as they slid open, expecting to see their leader in a position of power.

Instead, he was bleeding from his handless wrists, and was being humiliatingly led by Jedi, a queen, an astromech droid, and Chancellor Palpatine.
As Anakin kept his blue saber blade an inch from Maul's temple, he had the unconscious Obi Wan slung over his shoulder.

"You will order your craft to retreat," Padme said with the regal authority built into her, "and then you will see us safely off your ship."
Anakin could not help gaping at her, still impressed by her take charge Attitude after all these years. Obi Wan stirred on his shoulder.

Maul regarded his captors, then scanned the area. Forming a new plan quickly, he said, "you heard her, men. Prepare an escape pod immediately." He kept his voice sounding defeated, to catch them by surprise.

"As you wish, my lord," Captain Belloq replied, somewhat surprised. He spoke into his computer. A moment later, a doorway slid open on the far side of the command bridge.

"Order all craft to retreat," Maul said with a sad tone of voice.
As his captains obeyed, Anakin, Padme and Palpatine slowly walked over to the escape pod's entrance, Anakin with his saber still pointed at Maul. Obi Wan stirred over his back. As the chancellor climbed silently into the pod, followed by Padme and Artoo, Anakin finally deactivated his blade. As he stepped into the pod, supporting Obi Wan's weight, Maul suddenly flew at him, his leg extended. Anakin was caught unprepared and fell into the pod on the impact of Maul's foot.
Maul's surprise kick had caused Anakin to drop Obi Wan. As Anakin stood up and reached for Obi Wan, who was beginning to awaken, the doors to the pod closed.

"No!" shouted Anakin as the pod launched out of the Executor towards Coruscant's surface. He futilely pounded on the hatch as the pod drifted far from the Star Destroyer through the battle zone. Around them, Ackbar's cruisers continued to fire at the retreating Star Destroyers.

"Anakin, there's no point!" Padme said, pulling him away from the hatch, "he's gone." Her voice filled with melancholy as well as she took this in herself. Maul had waited for the right moment to strike. This was her fault for believing that they'd had the upper hand.

Padme's touch soothed Anakin, but he continued staring out at the disappearing vessel as the pod entered Coruscant's atmosphere. Artoo gave a sad whistle.

"Our republic was so close to collapsing in a single day," said Palpatine celebratorily, disregarding the fact that Obi Wan was trapped on the enemy command ship, "but thanks to the might of our formidable defense, the Empire could not triumph over our grand republic."
Anakin could have Force-choked him, but it was his Jedi restraint that held him back.
"We'll rescue Obi Wan soon," Padme promised Anakin as the pod touched down on the Senate landing platform.

 

Smoke and fire rose from the skyscrapers of Galactic City. The Empire had struck back with both fists, and left Coruscant in ruins. Several rogue TIE Fighters were still battling X Wings amid the chaos, and fire fighters rushed to extinguish the flames engulfing the streets and buildings.
As the hatch to the escape pod opened, the greeting party rushed to it. Senator Organa hurried to Padme and said, "my queen, what were you thinking, going into battle like that?" Embarrassed, Padme nodded in the direction of Palpatine and said nothing.

"Oh Queen Padme!" Threepio exclaimed as Anakin and Artoo somberly climbed out of the pod. "I am most relieved that you have not been harmed.

"Chancellor," Mon Mothma said, "are you well? Do you need medical attention?"

"I've never been better," replied Palpatine with too much pleasantness in his voice to match the destructive situation, "thanks to the heroics of both Padawan Skywalker and Queen Organa, Darth Maul was forced to retreat with his overrated navy."

Anakin could not stop himself from blurring out.
"He's taken Obi Wan," he exclaimed with growing anxiety, "we have to go after him, Obi Wan could be killed!" He tried to reach out to his friend and teacher through the Force, but sensed nothing.

"I'm afraid nothing can be done at this time," Palpatine said without emotion as they all headed toward the Senate entrance, "we must contact the Jedi Council and I must address the Senate soon."

Mon Mothma and Bail exchanged dark looks.
"The new emergency powers will be put into effect?" Mothma asked with a sudden wariness.

"As you know, it must be done for the good of the Republic," replied Palpatine, "the regional governors will only remain in charge of systems until the Imperial threat is eliminated."

"But what of the people?" Bail asked with anger creeping into his voice, "installing governors will naturally repress their freedoms."

Palpatine sighed. He was used to dealing with difficult politicans, but that didn't mean he never tired of their petty squabbles.

"I am doing this for the greater good," he said darkly, "be careful, Senator, not to question the values of the Republic." Bail was silenced by his glare.

"But what about Obi Wan?" Anakin snapped. He didn't care about the political drama, it had nothing to do with him.

Palpatine ignored him and hurried down the corridor. Mon Mothma followed close behind, while Bail beckoned Padme along.

Padme dispersed from them and walked over to Anakin, who stared at the battle-stricken landscape.

"Anakin," she whispered quietly.

"They don't care," Anakin said. His voice betrayed no emotion, but Padme could detect the hot anger boiling inside the man she loved.

"He only cares about his own power, not about the Jedi that fight for him!"

"Anakin, be careful," Padme whispered, looking around. The chancellor was rumored to have secret police eavesdropping on everyday conversations.

"Why did it have to be Obi Wan," Anakin growled, finding himself entering a rant, "why couldn't Maul have taken the chancellor instead?"

"Anakin, tell me what's troubling you," Padme urged, gently stroking his muscular back. Artoo Deetoo beeped sympathetically at Anakin's side.

"I could have saved him," Anakin whispered, softening his tone, "I could have killed Maul when I had the chance, and now Obi Wan's gone."

"You stayed true to the Jedi code," Padme replied consolingly, "you put your duty ahead of your personal feelings."

Anakin didn't know how to respond. True, he'd showed mercy to the unarmed Maul, but that had resulted in Obi Wan being kidnapped. If only he'd finished off the Zabrak right then and there...

"Padme, we're expected on the senate floor," Bail called to her.

"I have to go now," the queen said regretfully, kissing Anakin on the cheek. "I'll meet you after this is over." She hurried after her uncle and Threepio.

Anakin walked the other direction, Artoo at his heels. He needed to contact the Jedi Council on Ossus soon. While he didn't particularly like them and knew that the feeling was mutual, they were his best chance at saving Obi Wan.

"I don't know what to do, Artoo," Anakin said to his astromech, not caring what passerbys would think of him speaking to a droid, "I feel like the Jedi code is holding me back. I know I could have killed Maul." Artoo didn't understand what his Master was talking about, but he knew Anakin was distressed. The blue droid tapped Anakin's leg with affection, letting him know that Artoo was there for him. As they entered the communication center, Anakin stroked his droid's domed head.

The large holographic table in the senate's command center was not in use, but it projected a three dimensional globe of Coruscant and its atmosphere. Anakin typed in the correct code into the control panel. The hologram of Coruscant was replaced by a blue image of the twelve Jedi Masters on the Council, all seated on their thrones in the Jedi Academy on Ossus. The Council was made up of a variety of species, and a few members had been replaced during the war. Master Yaddle's chair was now occupied by the Togruta Shaak Ti, and Yareal Poof's seat was taken by Master Coleman Trebor.

The head of the Jedi council, a human woman named Mace Windu, addressed Anakin first.
"Padawan Skywalker, what is your report from Coruscant?" As usual, Mace Windu regarded Anakin with a cold expression that shows that she did not trust him. He knew that all the Masters feared his power, and a part of him was satisfied by that knowledge.

Anakin took a minute to compose himself before replying. "The chancellor is safe and Lord Maul has retreated," he replied, fighting to hide his frustration, "Palpatine's about to give himself more emergency powers." While trying not to selfishly bring up Obi Wan, Anakin couldn't help but want to demean the chancellor.

The holographic forms exchanged mysterious looks.
Finally, Windu asked, "where is master Kenobi? Is he with you.?"

Anakin felt his blood stop cold in his veins. "Maul has him," he groaned, suddenly feeling sick. He staggered to the side and put a hand on Artoo's domed head to support himself. He watched as the Jedi Masters reacted to this news.

Finally, Master Dooku spoke up. He was a senior Council member and had trained Qui Gon Jinn, Obi Wan's deceased Master.

"I care about Jedi Kenobi as much as you do, Anakin," Dooku said, assuming a kinder demeanor than Windu, "but we mustn't act irrationally."

"If we have to go and save the chancellor, why can't we save a fellow Jedi?" demanded Anakin, growing more anxious by the minute. He couldn't detect Obi Wan at all, he could be dead for all Anakin knew.

"Master Windu," Dooku addressed the younger Jedi Master, "perhaps I should carry out the rescue of Jedi Kenobi, him being an old friend and all. He turned to speak to Anakin.
"You should remain here on Coruscant for now, and watch over the Senate. I promise to bring Obi Wan back to you safely."

"You are assigned to Coruscant for now," Mace Windu said, "until further notice, do not leave the capital."

"You can't just expect..." Anakin began hotly. The hologram of the Council faded. Anakin dropped to his knees in despair, feeling more helpless and alone than ever.


Back on Ossus, the Jedi Council was gathered in their stone chamber in the academy.

"It's a good idea to keep Anakin on Coruscant for now," Cerean Master Ki Adi Mundi said, "if given the chance he may do something rash."

"He's very dangerous," Mace Windu opined, "he grows impatient for more power. That is a key characteristic of a Sith."

"I do not sense darkness in Skywalker," the elderly Dooku countered, "merely concern for those he cares about." He felt as though he could relate to Anakin's predicament, having also found himself held back by the restraints of the Jedi code. Yet like a faithful Jedi Dooku never let his frustration show.

"Whatever the case," Mace declared, "its best to keep him off the battle field for a while, until everything is clear to us."

 

Mustafar was a volcanic world whose surface was dominated by lava and ashes. It was the birthplace of the Galactic Empire and its capital world. It was where Darth Maul had been raised by his Master, Emperor Sidious and from where he governed over the Imperial Senate.

Like the Republic, the Empire had a Council of representatives from its loyal systems, but the duties of an Imperial senator differed greatly from a republic official. The Senators were in command of a battalion of troops that oversaw each planet, enforcing their total obedience to the emperor.

The Senate always met in the Imperial palace, built up on a rocky volcano. Several villages were built along the black sand, and factories oversaw many of the lava banks.

The mighty Imperial fleet had just arrived in orbit of their stronghold, the Executor towering over its fellow Star Destroyers. In the deepest interior of the Executor, Darth Maul floated hooked up in a Bacta tank, a medical droid tending to his severed wrists. Although Anakin Skywalker had escaped, Maul had ensured that the young Jedi would come after him. Obi Wan was locked in the Executor's most secure cell and it would be able to hold the most powerful Force sensitive.

As the droid surgically installed Maul's metal hands, General Veers entered his chamber.

"My lord," Veers said hastily, "We've arrived at Mustafar."

"Prepare to transfer the prisoner," Maul replied, not looking back at the green uniformed general.

"Yes, Lord Maul," Veers replied and he exited the medical bay.

 

As soon as Maul's shuttle touched down on the castle's landing platform, the hatch opened and two rows of five stormtroopers exited first. They stood on either side of the column lined up as two trained rancors came out next, dragging the cart containing Obi Wan's magma cage. Obi Wan could not move a muscle in the cube of energy holding him.

As Kenobi looked around, he took in the frightening sights of Mustafar. The air was filled with sparks and the pathway to the castle's drawbridge was made of obsidian. As far as Obi Wan could see were volcanoes and molten rivers. He tried to keep out the fear, practicing the meditation techniques Qui Gon had taught him, but he was in the heart of the Empire.

Finally, Maul exited his shuttle, gazing at the Imperial Palace with reverence. Along with his artificial hands, his legs had been replaced by metal ones. As a result, Maul now resembled a cyborg. He'd make Skywalker pay for this, and Kenobi would be a key pawn in his revenge.

 

Trailed by the ten stormtroopers behind him, Maul followed the rancors dragging the cart along the path to the open castle gates. Obi Wan saw thousands of stormtroopers lined up on either side of the drawbridge, their blasters aimed upward in salute of Maul. Dozens of TIE Fighters flew over the towering palace, and two Imperial officers stood at either side of the entrance. Obi Wan gulped as he took in the impossibility of the situation. He prayed to the Force that Anakin wouldn't do anything foolish.

As the parade passed under the large Imperial flag overlooking the drawbridge, Obi Wan found himself speaking up.

"You won't get away with your actions, Maul," he said calmly but defiantly, "the true Republic will put you to justice." Maul laughed and stepped in front of the magma cube imprisoning Obi Wan.

"You have nowhere to run, Kenobi," he replied with the snarl of a lion, "I am strong in the dark side and you are no match for me. But fear not, Jedi scum. I'm not going to kill you yet. Your apprentice will seek you out, and he will fall into my trap."

Oh no, Obi Wan thought, closing his eyes. Anakin was sure to come after him, and put everything at risk.

"Take him to the dungeon," Maul said to the rancors, "The emperor will be addressing the Senate and I must be there."



In the Republic capitol building, the Senate hall resembled an arena, with hundreds of pods around it for the representatives of the various Republic systems. From Alderaan to Kashyyyk, Senators and local monarchs gathered to listen to Chancellor Palpatine's latest decree, in light of the lastest catastrophe.

Queen Padme was dressed in her royal robes and makeup, and seated next to her Uncle Bail. Threepio sat on Bail's other side in their pod. Chancellor Palpatine stood in the pod in the center of the round chamber, flanked by the blue skinned Chagrian Mas Ameeda and the humanoid Sly Moore.
After everyone was quiet, the chancellor spoke up.

"My friends," Palpatine said with the utmost sincerity, "today our beautiful Republic was nearly reduced to dust at the hands of the evil Empire. Had it not been for the efforts of Queen Organa," he gestured towards Padme in her pod and applause went up for her in the senate hall. Padme stood expressionlessly and raised a hand, "and the Jedi Knights, I would likely be dead and the Senate would be in the hands of Darth Maul." A shudder passed through the assembly at the sound of the name.

"In light of this terrible incident, I've decided that for the security of our beloved systems each senator shall relinquish control of their planet to a regional governor. Garrisons will be set up for our army for safety purposes."

Bail Organa pulled the lever on the pod and it moved forward.

Ameeda spoke up. "The chair recognizes Senator Organa of Alderaan."

"With all due respect, chancellor, you cannot put the military in charge of our people," Bail said bravely, "it goes against the constitution." He'd come to disagree with Palpatine's decisions more and more as the years of war had dragged on, but this was too far. A few others shouted their agreement.

Mon Mothma's pod also came forward. "Installing mandatory garrisons is essentially a military dictatorship," she added, "we are beginning to resemble our enemies too much." More shouts of agreement. Some loyalist groups also began to cry in anger at the argument against Palpatine.

"Order!" Ameeda shouted, banging his staff against the central pod.

"We never voted on this matter," Bail persisted, "the chancellor cannot pass a law without without a proper vote."

"In this time of crisis, Senator," replied Palpatine with a sudden cold fury, "it is dangerous to question the actions of your leader. Let's not forget who is the real enemy."

Bail whispered quietly to Padme as Palpatine continued his speech. "Something needs to be done about him. He's using the war to gain power."

Padme whispered back, "As long as there is a war, I don't think we can stop him."


The lower levels of Coruscant's metropolis remained the most unaffected by the recent battle. It mostly contained shops, restaurants and small businesses. And so that was where Anakin chose to spend his evening, away from the politics and the Jedi and his personal crisis. At Dex's Diner, he sat at a small booth eating a bowl of soup.

As he slowly ate, Anakin continued to worry about Obi Wan. He knew that his Master was alive, he'd be able to sense Obi Wan's death through the Force. Anakin had no way of knowing where he was though, or where to look. Amidst his thoughts, Anakin sensed another familiar presence, though not the one he craved, it filled his heart with warmth nonetheless.

Dressed as a civilian, Padme had just arrived and sat across from Anakin in the booth. Anakin slowly smiled as she sat down.

"Don't you have some very interesting politics to be doing?" he teased. He sensed that Padme was preoccupied, but she was able to wave aside her worries for the moment.

"What's politics when I can be with my Skyguy," Padme replied in kind, knowing that the affectionate moniker somewhat annoyed him. Anakin shook his head in amusement. Then his demeanor became serious.

"I'm not allowed to leave Coruscant for now," he said, "orders of the Council."

"I'm sure the Jedi will do all they can for Obi Wan," Padme assured him, "but they have to fight a war."

"For what," replied Anakin, his frustration growing with every passing moment, "for a man who..."

His sentence was cut short by a blast in his direction. Anakin whipped around as the laser flew past Padme's head by a millimeter. Several restaurant patrons screamed and ducked for cover as a figure clad entirely in pink jumped out of the diner window, shattering the glass. Anakin instinctively bolted after her. By the time he'd gotten through the glass, the woman was already in her speeder taking off.
They've taken Obi Wan and they won't hurt Padme too, Anakin thought as he Force jumped after the departing airspeeder. He grabbed onto the tail as it lifted into the traffic above.
Padme rushed out of the diner to her own parked speeder. She didn't know who'd tried to kill her and why, but she knew that she wouldn't sit around while someone fought her battle for her.

 

Anakin held onto the back of the woman's speeder for dear life as it sped through the air traffic. He didn't dare to look down, knowing he was hundreds of feet above the surface already. The would be assassin zoomed left and right, hoping to throw off the young Padawan trying to arrest her. Anakin clenched his hands onto the speeder tail, trying to figure out how to climb up.

The assassin, Zam Wesell, swerved towards the towering skyscrapers on the side of the traffic lane.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Anakin grumbled as he struggled to climb up the back of the speeder. The vehicle skidded against the building, sending sparks flying into the atmosphere. Anakin slipped down the hood of Zam's airspeeder and just managed to grab onto the end of the tail again. Squeezing with all his might, Anakin felt the blood rushing to his head as Zam drove her speeder against passing buildings.
Anakin summoned the Force as he prepared to make a reckless move. Using the narrow speeder wing as a base, he somersaulted upwards onto the speeder, and at the same time reached for his lightsaber and ignited it. The helmeted Zam drew a pistol and turned around. She fired at Anakin, who deflected the laser and used his saber to slash the speeder controls. It was a risky, perhaps fatal move, but Anakin had the Force as his ally, unlike this assassin.

Zam screamed as the speeder plummeted downwards. Anakin fell forwards, landing on the passenger seat. Zam again pointed her pistol at him, but Anakin sliced it in half with his blade As the speeder came near the cement below, Zam stood up and jumped off the speeder onto a nearby balcony. Anakin's lightsaber slipped out of his grip, and he just managed to catch it as it fell. Finally losing his balance, Anakin stumbled and fell off of the crashing speeder.

With a grunt, he landed in the back seat of another speeder, lightsaber still ignited in his left hand. Padme turned around in the drover's seat and grinned as if there was no danger at all.
"Always in the nick of time for you, fly boy."
Anakin panted and pointed up to the balcony where Zam had gone into. Padme steered her speeder up towards it and landed atop the balcony.

 

The Imperial senate was assembled in the main audience chamber, which contained hundreds of rows of desks where the Imperial world representatives sat and faced the empty throne. The senators were all human, and all exits were guarded by stormtroopers. On either side of the Emperor's throne stood Darth Maul and a hooded old man named Vanee, who was the next ranking Sith Lord after Maul.
Beside Maul and Vanee stood two red robed Royal Guards, carrying long deadly staffs. The senators were made to face the throne that towered over them all, signifying who was in control. Once everyone was quiet and present, the giant blue hologram of Emperor Sidious appeared on the throne.
All eyes were instantly fixated on the emperor's image in a mixture of reverence, jealously and fear. Sidious wore a deep hood over his face to conceal his features, and rarely appeared at the Imperial Palace in person. The hologram raised a hand and spoke to the Council.

"My friends, today we have won a great victory over the Republic. Our unbeatable navy has struck at the heart of Coruscant and shattered their allusion of safety." Applause rang out in the audience chamber.

"Soon, victory will be ours and the Empire will be able to free the galaxy's remaining systems from the corruption of the weak Republic and the tyranny of the Jedi Order!" More cheers from the Senators.

"But we mustn't let up," continued Emperor Sidious, "all of our systems must continue to prepare your best troops for the oncoming battle. The Jedi are a relentless enemy, but I remain confident in the power of our grand military."

A chant rang out in the vast chamber. "Sidious! Sidious! Sidious!"

Maul scanned the room with his yellow eyes, his tattooed face expressionless. One day they will all cower before me, he thought.


As Anakin and Padme entered the doorway where the assassin had disappeared, they entered a bar that was filled with loud music and various species of alien. Anakin looked around the room, searching the large crowd. He kept his lightsaber deactivated do not to appear conspicuous.

"We'd better split up," Padme said, "it'll be easier to catch her that way."
"It's too dangerous for you to be here alone," replied Anakin nervously, "you'd better stay by me for protection."

Padme glared at him. "You're the one who needs protection, Sky Guy." She ran off into the crowd, blaster at the ready.

Anakin sighed and walked around the tables. He studied those who were drinking at them, then scanned the dance floor, where rowdy guests were dancing to the music played by Max Rebo's band. He hoped Padme would do anything foolish to prove that she wasn't a delicate damsel, he'd gotten that message long ago. Obi Wan wa already in peril, Anakin didn't need to have to worry about Padme as well. No Queen in her right mind would venture out here anyway, he reflected. As he walked tentatively across the crowded nightclub, Anakin felt a hand tap him on the shoulder. His hand automatically went to his lightsaber as he turned around.

A young man was holding a small package up to Anakin. He knew what the man was holding. He'd seen them enough on missions to various uncivilized worlds and had even tried them back on Ossus.

"You wanna buy some death sticks?" the dealer asked in a raspy voice. Anakin raised his hand, summoning the force. The man dropped the package of death sticks and scrambled away.

Anakin shifted his mind back to business. Something was wrong, he knew he was being watched. Holding his lightsaber hilt in both hands, Anakin backed slowly against the wall, looking for any potential threat. Nobody had a blaster out that he could see, yet he still sensed that someone in the crowd was stalking him. It was time to lure her out.

As Anakin ignited his blade, a shot came directly from behind the counter. Anakin waved his lightsaber in the direction of the blast, and the entire bar fell silent. Nobody moved as Anakin jumped after Zam Wesell, who continued to shoot at Anakin as she retreated. From the other side of the bar, Padme came rushing to the scene, firing her blaster at the assassin. The woman leapt off of the counter and immediately landed by Padme. She grabbed her by the neck and held her blaster at Padme's ear.

Anakin stood frozen on the counter. The entire audience was watching the scuffle, looking from Zam to Anakin and back.

"One move and she's dead, Jedi boy," the assassin teased, keeping her arm wrapped around Padme's neck. Padme was panting heavily, and dropped her blaster. Anakin contemplated his next move as he stared at Padme and her captor.
He could try to use the Force against this assassin, but she could shoot Padme through the head before he raised his hand. Anakin kept his blade activated, deciding to remain on the offensive.

"If you do anything to her, you'll be a mess on the floor before you can escape," he threatened, taking care to show the malice in his voice.

Zam Wesell laughed and stepped slightly towards the entrance. Anakin shifted his weight, keeping an eye on her and not daring to move too suddenly. Padme remained still and suddenly leaned heavily on the woman who had her in a headlock. She collapsed on Zam and seized her blaster arm. Zam fired her weapon in all directions as Padme grappled for it.
Anakin reacted instantly, coming down on Zam with his blue blade. With no effort, he sliced off both her wrists and Zam collapsed to the floor. The crowd let out a loud gasp and moved quickly away from the confrontation. Anakin deactivated his blade and with Padme, carried the woman to the balcony.

Once they laid her down, Padme knelt beside Zam and asked with a calm demeanor, "Why did you try and kill me? Who hired you?"

"It was...just a job," the woman gasped in pain. Her arms were rapidly bleeding out.

Anakin leaned close to her face. "Who hired you," he whispered coldly, indicating that her suffering would increase tenfold if he didn't get answers.

Zam looked up at him, seeing that Anakin meant business. "It was a bounty hunter called..." She was silenced by a thin dart that flew straight from the evening sky straight into her neck. Zam gasped and closed her eyes. Her breathing stopped.

Anakin looked up to see an airborne figure high above them. Before he could make out the figure, it was quickly flying far into the distance.