A Sith or a Jedi? - a STAR WARS fanfic

Big, ugly bugs

After what seemed like an unending hyperspace journey, we finally arrived on Geonosis. We landed the ship in some kind of exhaust vents and prepared to rescue Obi-Wan.

Normally, I'd be pissed we have to go and rescue someone, I always hated these kinds of missions. I mean, if they're not able to save themselves, they shouldn't even be allowed to go on missions. After all, capture is like the number one thing you should count on when thinking up a plan, so it's annoying that people still don't prepare for such scenarios and other people, like me, then have to save their asses.

And I am pissed, just not for that reason. This is Obi-Wan were talking about here, and although he should've planed ahead for this, he couldn't have known about the Sith being involved. So, I'm willing to do this without too much fuss, but he will surely hear a lot about this from me after this is over.

Padme must have noticed my bitter-sweet mood, and decided to speak out. "Look, whatever happens out there, follow my lead." she paused, then diverted her eyes toward Anakin and added: "I'm not interested in getting into a war here. As a member of the senate, maybe I can find a diplomatic solution to this mess." she finished putting on her cloak and made her way out of the ship.

Anakin exchanged a look with me before calling after her: "Don't worry. I've given up trying to argue with you."

With a nod we followed after Padme, passing the two arguing droids, but I paid them no attention. If they tag along or not, it won't matter much.

As we stepped out of the ship, I put on the hood of my robe, hoping it would help keep out the smoke from my face, but given the fact that the steam was coming from below, it didn't do much at all.

We walked across a ramp to a strange looking door that opened the second we neared it, reveling a long dark hallway leading. The three of us shared a look before continuing. We were being watched, I felt as much, but I carried on walking, because if they wanted to attack us, they would've probably done so already.

But of course, I'm not always right, and just as we stopped to check what was squawking behind us, many big, ugly bugs came out, crawling after us. I pushed Padme behind me, motioning for her to run, as I and Anakin took out lightsabers and started 'aggressively negotiating'.

Soon though, there was too many of them for us alone to handle and turned to run to the end of the hallway. A door opened leading to another ramp, but it was just big enough for the three of us to get on. My eyes switched fast between the weird bugs and the at least ten-meter drop, deciding on what to do.

It didn't take long, when the ramp started to retract, it was decided for me. Padme fell first, Anakin fast after her and I jumped off last, landing on what seemed to be a factory line. The creatures then swarmed all around me and I lost sight of the both of my companions.

It wasn't a long fight, but when more of them came, holding weapons, I sighed. Grabbing my second lightsaber hilt and attaching it to the other one, I jumped off to a lower belt, mechanical limbs all around me. Usually, I'd prefer the higher ground, but there was no 'higher' to go to, so down was the only option for me.

I dodged a few of their blasts, decapitating some of the bugs in the process, but like if the whole planet knew of our presence, at least a dozen more were on their way to me. I frowned, trying to locate the blue shine of Anakin's lightsaber, but he was nowhere to be found. I felt slight panic set over me. This is so embarrassing, if we get captured by these bugs while being on a rescue mission? Oh Force, I'll never hear the end of it.

Punching and slicing more of my attackers, I started to run out of space, as the belt ended just a few meters ahead. I looked around for more space, noticing an unmoving platform on my left, and with a deep breath I jumped over there.

Just in time I was able to dodge a huge cauldron, that was released from the claws holding it, almost crushing me. I looked over to see what caused the malfunction, and I was met by Anakin's droid chirping from above. I narrowed my eyes at him, but just then I heard a grunt coming from the cauldron, Padme rolling out of it.

I ran to her, helping her to her feet, and just as fast turning around to fight off the bugs that followed me. I was just about to ignite my saber, when a hand stopped me.

"Wait, let me handle this." Padme gave me a nod of assurance, and even though I wasn't really assured she got it, I lay down my weapon and let the insect cuff us.

Not long after, Anakin joined us and we were lead through the halls of the strange Geonosian palace, Force knows where.

--

After about half an hour we made it to our, hopefully, final destination. More bug creatures gathered around us, shoving us onto a cart of some sorts, and many more buzzing coming from where they were about to send us to. A public execution? Very nice...

"Don't be afraid." I heard Anakin say, and was about to deny, I wasn't afraid, I was just conflicted, but then I noticed he was talking to Padme and turned around from them, giving them as much space as I could. If we're going to die, let them have their last moments.

"I'm not afraid to die." she replied to Anakin, pausing for a little while. I couldn't see her face now, but the silence was too loud to not notice she was also conflicted, she was trying to admit something, maybe even to herself.

"I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life." she finally said, her voice soft and quiet, but I noticed how it broke at the last word. I don't understand love, but what I learned over the years, I know it's a very complicated feeling. It makes you feel so warm and safe, yet so scared and vulnerable. So, I think I kind of understand why is Padme so sad now.

"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked her, pretending to be confused, but the Force betrays him. He knows very well what's she talking about, but he wants to hear her say it.

"I love you." Padme admitted.

"You love me?" he stutters, not prepared to hear this kind of confession. Sure, he was expecting her to somehow hint on it, but he didn't expect her to say it all out. To be honest, I didn't either.

"I thought that we had decided not to fall in love, that we would be forced to live a lie, and that it would destroy our lives." Anakin recalled, his voice also breaking at each word, even though he tried to hide it, to seem strong and not totally blown away by her confession.

"I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. I truly, deeply love you, and before we die, I want you to know." she told him, and then there was quiet. I turned around just slightly, to see Anakin's reaction, just to see them kissing. Kissing?! Out here in the public? Before me? Well, you two are surely bold.

When the cart started moving, I cleared my throat, to let them know they are about to be witnessed by what sounded to be a million Geonosians, and they both looked at me.

I raised my eyebrows at them, then motioned to my mouth, signaling that I will keep quiet about it, and landed my eyes at the huge arena.

There were four poles in the middle, someone already tied to one of them. Wait, that's Obi-Wan. Well, at least I know he's not dead yet. I'm not really sure why, but something inside me is comforted by the thought of dying beside Obi-Wan.

As we rode around him, Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes at us, somewhat disappointed. I hold his stare, shaking my head with an innocent frown, hoping he'd know it's not really my fault.

When we stopped, one of the bugs pushed me out towards the far-left pole and attached my handcuffs to a chain. I noticed Obi-Wan speaking to Anakin, but I couldn't hear them over the cheering of the audience. Instead, I tried to find a way to get out of my bonds.

When I got an idea, something inside of me froze, like an alarm went through me. In panic, I turned my head all around to find the source of the uneasy feeling within myself, when my eyes landed on a balcony by my right. No, it can't be...