Only Wan

Episode XIV

ANAKIN

"Master," Anakin said. "Master, Padmé and I have tracked the last clone to Geonosis. He seems to have been taken hostage. We are going to rescue him to stop news of your cloning spreading. The clone is also untrained. There is a chance he will get himself killed."

Glancing to the sandy world outside the ship, Anakin shook his head. "I suspect there is something bigger going on here. The clone might be onto something. Even so, he could be leading us into a trap. Master, you're the only one I trust."

He hesitated, then hit send. The hologram flickered - once, twice. Anakin let out a breath and stepped back slowly, the last of his words still running through his mind.

The chance of the clone making it out alive were slim. He had not been carrying a weapon and without the training the true Obi-Wan had received thanks to the Order, the clone would have no way to protect himself. 

Then there was the issue of just why the clone had chosen to come here. Anakin had no idea what was special about Geonosis. He had not heard it mentioned by any of the Jedi at the Temple, nor Obi-Wan himself.

Padmé was already waiting for him on the landing bridge. If she was worried, she did a fine job of hiding it. Determined to talk and find a diplomatic solution to their problem, she marched onward with her head high.

Anakin wished he felt the same way. He sensed something off about the planet, although he could not quite place what. It was as if a great evil was sleeping beneath the dry earth, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

They ducked through an open door into a long, dimly lit hallway. Anakin's hand went to the lightsaber hilt on his belt as they walked towards the exit at the far end.

No sooner had they reached the midway point, a buzzing sound came from behind. Anakin spun with his weapon raised. A bolt flew from the blaster of one of the local creatures and he deflected it, returning the attack.

The Geonosians were everywhere, crawling out from alcoves in the wall and fluttering above the path Anakin had crossed moments before. They were too large in number.

Anakin ushered Padmé to keep heading forward. She had upholstered her blaster and was returning shots, but even with both of them fighting they wouldn't be victorious in their fight. Anakin wasn't happy with running. Yet he refused to stay. Padmé was his to protect. He could not allow her to be harmed.

Thankfully the door at the end of the hallway was unlocked. Padmé went through first with Anakin watching her back. Bolts from their attackers' weapons bounced against the blade of his lightsaber.

As he placed more distance between himself and the Geonosians, Anakin realised he could no longer feel Padmé at his side. He let his guard down for a moment and turned. The doorway had taken them to a small overhanging ledge. Below machines bellowed as they built droids.

A white flash caught his eye. Without thinking Anakin lunged, bringing himself into a flip as he had been taught. He stumbled as he landed, the floor moving under his feet. It took him less than a heart beat to realise he was on a conveyor belt. 

"Padmé!" he called, blocking a shot and bringing his lightsaber through an opponent in a smooth arc.

Only in their numbers could the locals cause him a threat, but this was there planet - their home. There was no knowing how many of them were around.

The belt rumbled and Anakin flattered, falling as he was attack from both sides. He swiped at each of the attackers. The blows landed successfully, but they cost Anakin to divert his attention from his environment.

He knew what Obi-Wan would have told him. Stay aware. You can't keep getting distracted.

But Obi-Wan wasn't here. He wasn't even on the planet. The closest thing Anakin had to his Master was the memory of his words. And they were nothing but a hindrance, small reminders that he was doing things wrong.

A clamp came down on the belt. Anakin rolled to avoid it and got himself entangled with another Geonosian. His lightsaber cut through the air, taking down those who troubled him.

You're a distraction, Anakin told the voice as he jumped to a lower belt. He used his weapon to destroy troublesome parts of machinery. Sparks flew, the sounds of the factory drowning out the soft hum of the blade. 

Not far from where he was, a small cluster of Geonisians had gathered. He reached up and dragged a collection of deactivated battle droids. Throwing the droids with the Force, Anakin watched as the Geonisians toppled.

He brought himself back up to the higher belt. Padmé was still not in sight. If anything was to happen to her, Anakin didn't know what he'd do.

Another clamp. This time Anakin was not so lucky. He went down, managing to fend off the bug-like local drifting overhead, but his hand was locked under a heavy sheet of metal. Tugging did no good and his lightsaber was trapped under the metal.

The factory continued to throw obstacles at him. He manoeuvred the best he could on the platform, rolling this way and that to avoid the knife-like features that moved up and down around him.

Finally, one of the sharper clamps hit the metal on his hand. Anakin quickly pulled his hand free and got to his feet. He raised his weapon to fend of an upcoming part of machinery. Stopping short, he realised the hilt had been cut in half.

"Not again. Obi-Wan is going to kill me." Anakin shook his head. He had to keep his head clear and keep going.

The belt slowed to a stop. A set of destroyer droids rolled in, Geonosians in pursuit. Anakin winced and dropped his arms as they surrounded him, hoping Padmé had managed to escape somehow.

Anakin bit his lip, knowing Obi-Wan would never leave him alone for this one. He now needed rescued from a rescue mission.