The Shadows Star: Book 2

46: Negotiations

Trapped within the confines of the droid factory, Anakin's predicament grew more dire with each passing moment. His arm, pinned beneath a welded piece of metal, left him immobilized and vulnerable. His lightsaber lay in pieces and the hope of a quick and easy escape was fading quickly. As the factory moved on around him, a sudden wave of strangeness washed over him, a peculiar sensation that left him weakened and dizzied.

A surge of alarm coursed through Anakin as he sensed Sombra's strength diminishing, not entirely vanishing but enough to intensify his growing unease.

"Sombra!" he screamed, his voice echoing amidst the clangor of the factory. His anger, like an untamed flame, roared within him, but the circumstances forced him to comply as battle droids closed in, along with a formidable bounty hunter.

Helpless, Anakin watched with seething frustration as Geonosians, with rough hands, took Padmé into custody. His frantic gaze swept the area, desperately searching for any sign of Sombra amid the chaos, but his efforts yielded no result.

Subdued by the relentless droids, Anakin and Padmé were pushed through a labyrinth of hallways, each turn amplifying his panic. The journey culminated in a large, empty room. The Geonosians ushered them inside, where Padmé took a seat while Anakin remained standing, his eyes continuously darting around in futile attempts to communicate with Sombra.

Yet, her presence remained dim and weak, as if a veil had descended between them. Anakin's frustration intensified as he recalled the haunting image of Sombra's limp and broken form on Tatooine. Rage surged within him once again, fueled by the profound sense of failure that seemed to dog his every step. The emptiness in the force, where Sombra's once vibrant presence had thrived, left him with a chilling sense of foreboding, a gnawing fear that threatened to consume him.

As Padmé sat in the cold, empty conference room, a storm of thoughts and fears raged within her. Her concern for Obi-Wan weighed heavily on her heart, knowing he was imprisoned somewhere on this planet. The fate of the galaxy rested on these negotiations, and the success of this mission was paramount.

Anakin's presence beside her added another layer of anxiety. His emotions were a tumultuous sea, and she worried that his impulsive nature might jeopardize the delicate balance of these critical talks. She understood the magnitude of their task — the hope for peace, the avoidance of war — and she needed Anakin to focus, to set aside personal grievances for the greater good.

"Anakin, listen to me. I'm still a Senator of the Galactic Republic, and I might be able to get us out of this. But I need to know you can focus."

Anakin's eyes remained dazed and unfocused, testing her patience. Undeterred, Padmé pressed on, her voice a mix of concern and determination.

"Anakin, I'm worried about her too, but we can't help her if we're not focused. We need to find a way out of here. Trust me, if we stay calm, we have a better chance of saving her."

Anakin's gaze slowly focused on Padmé, the weight of her words sinking in. He took a deep breath, attempting to regain control over his emotions. The connection to Sombra still felt distant and weakened, but Padmé's plea grounded him. The fear in his eyes settled into a steely determination.

The door creaked open, and in walked Count Dooku. Padmé calmly took her seat again, regaining her poised and proper demeanor. Anakin's eyes darkened, and his muscles tensed, a brooding intensity radiating from him.

The Count took a seat at the head of the table while flanked by guards and the bounty hunter. The group sat in the tension for a moment before Padme decided to break the silence.

"Count Dooku, you are holding a Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am formally requesting you turn him over to me, now."

Dooku's brow quirked up, a slight and almost kind smile gracing his face.