Shadows of Tomorrow

Chapter 7 - To Capture a Sith Lord

Spacewalking is definitely a first, and this is seriously reminding Theseus of when they snuck aboard the Malevolence, hoping that no one would notice. He and Obi-Wan land silently on the top of the Separatist cruiser, and Obi-Wan pushes a button to open an airlock, so they both can slip silently inside.

The clanking sound of marching battle droids reaches his ears almost instantly, and they press back against the wall as a patrol passes by. Dodging and ducking the droids, they make their way to a control room.

"We'll have to move fast," Obi-Wan warns him through their bond as they come to a doorway. Battle droids are working at various controls on either side of the room. They sprint across the room, disappearing behind a slamming door before the droids even look up. They're so dumb sometimes. A human guard would never make the same mistake.

"At least we're finally in the detention block," Theseus observes, glancing around the darkened hallway. That was easier than he expected. Obi-Wan approaches one of the doors, pushing a button. The two people inside look up in surprise as the door to the cell opens.

"Don't bother to get up. You're not the prisoner I'm looking for," Obi-Wan says, pushing the button so the door slams in their faces as they start running towards the entrance anyway.

Obi-Wan opens another door a little further down the hall, stepping into the dimly lit cell. There's no one even in here. What – a blur drops from the ceiling, and they whirl around on instinct, igniting their lightsabers.

"Oh, it's you," Anakin exclaims, standing up.

"This is how you thank me for rescuing you? Pounce on me from the ceiling?" Obi-Wan quips, deactivating his blade and holding out Anakin's lightsaber to him.

"Kind of difficult without a – lightsaber. Thanks," Anakin mutters, taking the weapon.

"Did you manage to locate Dooku before landing in jail?" Obi-Wan asks as they head back out into the hall.

"Well, I know he's on board," Anakin replies, "Might have been able to do something about it if I'd had my weapon."

"Well, the point was to take him together, wasn't it?" points out Theseus. He's heard enough about the Sith Lord to know that's how Anakin lost his arm at the start of the war, and he really doesn't want a repeat of anything like that.

"It was important for you to arrive without it," insists Obi-Wan, "So your capture would be convincing."

"Oh, they were convinced alright, but we should get moving before they figure out something's wrong," Anakin reminds, and the trio hurry down the hall. It takes a surprisingly short amount of time for them to arrive at the room where the Sith is.

Dooku is sitting in the middle of the room in a meditative position. "Surprise, surprise," sings out Anakin, igniting his lightsaber. Obi-Wan and Theseus ignite their own, casting a blue and purple glow across the room.

"If it isn't Count Dooku," Obi-Wan greets.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," Dooku replies calmly. Apparently, Theseus and Anakin aren't worthy of recognition. The padawan keeps the remark to himself. "I thought I sensed an unpleasant disturbance in the Force. I see you've freed young Skywalker. Where might he be if you weren't always around to rescue him?"

As if in response, the entire floor suddenly jolts. Even as it stills, vibrations continue to run through the ship, and the faint sounds of battle can be heard from outside. The Republic cruisers have finally arrived.

"Your ship is surrounded, Count," Obi-Wan warns, "Republic troops are boarding as we speak."

"Jedi fools," scoffs Dooku, and all at once the platform he's sitting on drops down straight out of sight. Anakin and Theseus run forwards as it disappears down a long grey tunnel going to the lower levels of the ship.