Chapter Text
Inhale.
We're about to attack unprovoked.
Exhale.
The Geonosians want to kill our friends.
Inhale.
Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Senator Amidala were tresspasing.
Exhale.
We can't let them die.
Inhale.
This is the Geonosian way of punishing crimes.
Exha-
"Are you okay?" Barriss' voice snapped Danas out of his thoughts. Ever since they arrived on Geonosis, he was nervous. It was like... He couldn't shake off the feeling that something bad is about to happen. And he didn't like it. "No," he replied. "I have a bad feeling about this. We're about to attack unprovoked. To save Anakin, Master Kenobi, and Senator Amidala, but still... Is this the Jedi way?"
"It needs to be done," came Agen Kolar's rough voice. Danas wasn't particularly fond of the other Zabrak. He found him too aggressive. Although his actions in the past months may not suggest it, Danas always tried to find a non-violent solution to the problem. Master Kolar on the other hand, preferred to attack first and ask questions later. He wasn't much different from Anakin in that regard, but while young Skywalker was still a Padawan, Agen Kolar has managed to achieve the rank of Master. He should be an example to the younger Jedi.
Then again, Danas' Grandmaster was Quinlan kriffing Vos, from whom the young Zabrak might've picked a thing or two. So he wasn't in the best position to judge.
"I know, Master Kolar," answered Danas. "It doesn't mean I have to like the way we're doing it."
"We can't let them die, can we?" said Tan Yuster, Master Kolar's Padawan. Danas looked at the human boy. They never interacted much, due to rumors around Danas. So the fact that Tan spoke right now, was really surprising. Apparently, Master Kolar thought so as well. And he didn't like it because he sent the boy a stern look.
Suddenly their conversation was cut short by Master Windu's signal. It was time to attack.
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As soon as Danas entered the Petranaki Arena, he had to blink a few times. The harsh sunlight hit him in the eyes when he emerged from the dark caves surrounding the arena. When he got used to the brightness, he spotted Anakin, Master Kenobi, and Senator Amidala in the middle of the arena. Surrounded by droidekas. Riding a reek.
Honestly, he shouldn't be surprised.
The Jedi started igniting their lightsabers all over the arena. It was truly a sight to behold. Flashes of green and blue stood out among the sand and dirt of the area.
Danas spotted Masters Ti and Unduli to his right, and Masters Kolar and Trebor to his left. He shot a look at Barriss, who held her blue lightsaber in a fighting position. He took a deep breath and activated his weapon, letting the yellow blades emerge from the hilt.
Geonosians fled in panic. Good. Danas wouldn't feel comfortable fighting beings who were defending their home from strangers. Especially after the encounter with Tuskens on Tatooine.
Suddenly, someone started shooting. Danas looked in the direction of the sound and saw Master Windu deflecting blaster shots with his purple blade. Then, the Jedi Master jumped down and threw off his robes, just as battle droids made their way onto the arena.
In hindsight, the young Zabrak didn't really know what he was doing. He charged at the droids alongside his fellow Jedi and let the Force, as well as his combat training, take over his movements.
It was as if time slowed down. Danas spun his lightsaber, each yellow blade deflecting incoming blaster shots.
The two sides got closer. He could see the details on the droids.
Finally, they clashed.
Danas started cutting through battle droids, following other Jedis' examples. He cut off the head with one blade, the other one quickly deflecting a blaster shot. Another three droids directed blasters his way, so he used the Force to launch himself forward. His lightsaber slashed their bodies in half, letting them fall to the ground.
A black droid, that looked more powerful than the ones he destroyed so far, started shooting at him. Danas started spinning his weapon, blocking the blaster shots, as he moved forward. When he was close to his opponent, the Zabrak sensed an attack directed at his back. He quickly used the Force and jumped behind the black droid, using him as a shield. The black droid fell to the ground, as the flurry of blaster shots pierced through his armor. Danas looked up and saw five droids, aiming their weapons in his direction. He threw his lightsaber at them, the yellow blades spinning at high speed. Dathomirian called his weapon back with the Force, while his opponents' bodies fell to the ground.
Suddenly, a sonic blast came from behind, making a huge explosion. The reek that carried Anakin and company on his back got scared and threw them off. Danas looked in the blast's source's direction.
'Ah, so Geonosians are fighting after all. I guess it was unavoidable.'
Danas was about to approach his friend, but then Anakin quickly took off after Senator Amidala, who took over a carriage. The young Skywalker jumped into the said carriage and began to cut through the droids from there.
"Show-off..." muttered Danas, while destroying another two droids. Suddenly he spotted Master Secura. More precisely a droid, about to shoot at her back. He pulled the droid in his direction, using the Force, then pierced his lightsaber through his opponent.
"You know that I saw that droid, right?" asked Aayla, as she and her Padawan began fighting back-to-back, blocking the shots aimed at them.
"I know. But now I get to tell that I saved your life," replied the Zabrak, spinning his weapon.
"I swear, you're worse than Quin sometimes."
"Ouch. I feel attacked."
All of a sudden, the carriage holding Anakin and Senator Amidala, got knocked over. They fell off and got backed into a corner.
"Go and help them!" shouted Aayla. Danas nodded and threw his lightsaber at the droids. However, Anakin and Senator Amidala were too absorbed in each other to notice their savior.
"So this a diplomatic solution?" asked Anakin with a sly grin.
"No. I call it aggressive negotiation," answered Padmé with a cheeky smile. Danas suppressed the urge to vomit on the spot.
"Uh, you're welcome?" said the Zabrak, moving closer. "Also, can you not flirt in the middle of the battle?" Anakin and Padmé both got red from embarrassment. "We weren't-" they tried to argue, but Danas cut them off with a 'bitch, please' look.
They didn't have much more time to talk, as more and more droids appeared. They came out of nowhere, as if for one destroyed droid, three were sent to take its place. The Jedi were surrounded, the droids closing them in a tight ring. Danas did his best to block all blaster shots but was slowly getting tired. This resulted in him missing a shot, that struck him in the shoulder. As a Zabrak he had really high pain tolerance, so he didn't drop to his knees. But it still hurt like kriff.
Suddenly the droids stopped shooting. The Jedi all lowered their weapons as well. This gave the Dathomirian an opportunity to look around him.
He noticed Master Shaak Ti. She still had a cool and collected demeanor, but Danas knew the Togrutan Master well enough to notice that she was tired. Her breath wasn't regular and her hands were closed a little too tight around her lightsaber.
Next to her was Master Stass Allie. The Tholothian clearly wasn't used to such an environment but it was expected from a healer. The fact that she lasted so long was very impressi-
Danas' eyes widened. A healer. He quickly looked around. Master Kolar, Master Fisto, Master Tiin, Master Bulq, Master Kenobi, Master Windu... He couldn't find Barriss anywhere. One quick look at Master Unduli, who stood next to Master Allie told him that she also looked for the young Mirialan. Their eyes met, both feeling concerned.
"Master Windu!" came a voice from above. All Jedi looked in the voice's direction to find an old man in elegant robes. 'So this is Count Dooku' thought Danas bitterly. "You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the Archives of the Jedi Order!"
At that moment Geonosians escorted three more Jedi into the ring: Master Mundi, Master Koon, and Master Secura. The last one quickly moved over to her Padawan and gave him a sad smile. Danas released a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Now," continued Count Dooku. "It is finished. Surrender, and your lives will be spared."
"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku," answered Master Windu in a stern voice. Danas couldn't help but agree with him. He doubted that Count Dooku will keep his promise and if he was going to die today, he'd rather become one with the Force during a fight.
"Then... I'm sorry, old friend." The droids aimed their weapons at the surviving Jedi. 'What Master Nu saw in this guy, I'll never know,' thought Danas, as he prepared for an attack. But then...
"Look!" shouted Senator Amidala. Everyone looked up to see several ships approaching. Master Yoda was in one of them, along with several... people, dressed in the same way. The ships started destroying droids, who retaliated in response, while also shooting at the surviving Jedi.
The ships started creating a peripheral around the Force-users (and Padmé). This blocked the blaster fire just a little, but Danas still found himself struggling to deflect all the attacks.
"Danas, get onto the ship!" shouted Aayla, while blocking a barrage of attacks. The Zabrak did as he was told. Moments later he was helping his Master, as well as Masters Koon and Allie on board. The ship took off into the air.
They were safe. For now.
"Master Yoda sure knows how to make a grand entrance," commented Danas, trying to lighten up the mood. He was panting, sweating, and felt as if he was going to puke. "I bet he was waiting for the last moment to make it more dramatic."
"I'd like to say you are wrong," added Plo Koon, also visibly tired. "But I know Master Yoda too well. He would've done that."
"Let's focus on surviving right now," interrupted Stass Allie. "We'll discuss Master Yoda's habits later. If there will be a 'later'.
The ship landed and unloaded the Jedi onto the ground. Aayla and Danas quickly departed from other Masters, meeting with a bunch of... soldiers (Danas wasn't sure what to call them, so he'll stick with 'soldiers' for now).
"Ma'am, we have four special commanding units awaiting your orders," said one, with a paintjob on his armor.
"Very well," answered Aayla. Then she turned to Danas, as she ignited her lightsaber. "You are to stick with me, Padawan. Do not leave my side under any circumstances, understood?"
"Yes, Master," answered the boy, activating his weapon as well. The young Zabrak knew that when Master Secura's voice got this firm, there was no arguing.
"Then let's go."
Aayla moved first, leading the troopers towards the army of droids. Danas didn't leave her side for a second, but he did take some time to scan his surroundings. He spotted Master Fisto nearby, his green lightsaber blocking shot after shot.
Soon Danas did the same. Just like in the arena, his training took over his movements. Adrenaline rushed through his veins, the pain in his shoulder not bothering him at all. His lightsaber turned into a yellow flurry, which blocked shot after shot. Soldiers at his side weren't sloppy either. Their shots were precise, each one taking more and more droids down. Danas had no idea who these guys were but with each passing minute, he gained more respect for them.
Soon they were joined on the battlefield by... walking machines... tanks... (Danas was never good at naming the models). Anyway, while any help was greatly appreciated, it also made them big, fat targets for the rockets, that were coming their way. One of those rockets nearly hit their unit, but Danas and Aayla managed to stop it in time and throw it back in the droids' direction.
Suddenly, Separatists' core ships took off into the air. The one closest to them got shot down and fell to the ground, creating a giant dust cloud. "Incoming!" shouted Aayla, while the cloud approached them at a high speed. It reached them moments later, completely blocking the view. The soldiers kept firing anyway. Danas had no idea if their helmets allowed them to see through the dust. He had no time to give that idea much thought, as he had to focus on blocking the blaster shots and surviving.
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The battle was long. Danas was exhausted by the end, as was Master Secura. Her breath was very shallow, her chest shaking with every exhale. After destroying the last droid, soldiers also collapsed on the ground, struggling to catch their breaths.
Right then, Master Yoda ordered everyone to the command point. All the Jedi, as well as the soldiers, gathered there. They were supposed to get on the ships and leave Geonosis. Once they arrived, Danas spotted a familiar figure talking to Master Luminara Unduli...
"Barriss!" Danas shouted, which made the young Mirialan turn around. Before she could comprehend what was happening, she was enveloped in a bone-crushing hug. "Where were you?!" asked the Zabrak. "I was so worried!"
"I-I... panicked," Barriss admitted after a moment of silence. Master Unduli placed a hand on her Padawan's shoulder. "There was so much death around... I tried to ignore it at first... But I couldn't..." Barriss was on the brink of tears. Danas couldn't blame her. As a healer, she was much more attuned to the Living Force than him. All those deaths... Must've been like taking a barrage of shots to the chest.
The young Dathomirian looked around him. Only about 30 of 213 Jedi survived. So many have died today... Before he was focused on surviving. But now... The reality hit him like a tank.
"You both have done well," said Aayla, approaching them. "No one was prepared for that situation."
"Being overwhelmed by it isn't something to be ashamed of," added Luminara. "You didn't bite off more than you can chew. You were humble. That's the sign of a true Jedi."
"Seems like you could learn something from your friends, Anakin," came Master Kenobi's voice, as he and Anakin joined the group. They were limping, both clearly injured, which reminded Danas of his own wound. His eyes immediately landed on Anakin's right hand. Or rather the place where it should be. " "Kin! You hand!" The Zabrak shouted, startling everyone. "What happened?!"
"Count Dooku happened," replied Anakin with annoyance.
"Anakin decided it was a good idea to engage the Count in a duel when he should've escaped."
"And leave you to die?!"
"We're lucky Master Yoda arrived when he did or both of us would've been dead," answered Obi-Wan.
"Master Yoda fought with the Count?" asked Barriss surprised. Anakin nodded and his eyes sparkled. "Yes. Master Yoda was so fast! He moved like a lightning. Jumping, spinning... I've never seen anything like this before!"
"Speaking of Master Yoda. Am I the only one who thinks that he waited until the very last minute to make a more dramatic entrance?" asked Danas, while the other Jedi laughed. "No idea what you're talking about, I have," said the Grandmaster, casually passing by.
"Also, Anakin Skywalker!" Barriss raised her voice. "We've left you for less than a day and you already got yourself captured! How?!"
"I'm afraid that was my fault," came Senator Amidala's voice. The group turned in her direction. "Ani- I mean, Anakin actually wanted to stay put and protect me. I said that if I go on Geonosis to rescue Master Kenobi, he would have to go with me."
"I see you've met your match, my young Padawan," Obi-Wan teased, while Anakin and Padmé blushed. Danas exchanged knowing looks with Barriss. Something was going on between those two.
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A few days later, the fallen Jedi received a proper burial in the Jedi Temple. So many deaths...
Among the casualties was Jedi Master and Council member Coleman Trebor. After his demise, his place on the Council was taken by Master Fisto. Danas congratulated the Nautolan on his promotion, although he stated that he wished it was under different circumstances. Kit agreed.
Another fallen Jedi was Sar Labooda. Danas didn't know her personally, but he was on good terms with her sister - Jedi Master Depa Billaba. He approached her after the ceremony.
"My condolences, Master," said the Zabrak, eliciting a sad smile from the woman. "Thank you, Danas. I feel a little better when I think that she joined the Force." She sighed heavily and then decided to change the topic. "How are you holding up? After that battle?"
"I feel... conflicted," Danas answered truthfully. Master Billaba also struggled with the Dark Side, so she knew how he felt. "What we've done... We've attacked unprovoked. We fell right into Dooku's trap. And now... There's a war coming."
"There are dark times ahead of us," Depa agreed. "We have to trust in the Force. There's not much else we can do."
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"Anakin went to Naboo to escort her?"
"Yes."
"I see," Barriss casually took a sip of her tea. "I bet they'll get married."
"What?!" Danas couldn't believe his ears. "Barriss, I know that Anakin can be... A little extreme, but marriage?! No. I say they go through the boyfriend/girlfriend stage first. If they're not just hooking up."
"Danas!" The Mirialan gasped, clearly scandalized. "Fine. The loser has to pay for lunches for a full cycle, whenever we go out."
"I'll take that bet."
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Unknowingly, Danas has already lost the bet. Because Anakin and Padmé, just got married on Tatooine. They stopped by, on their way to Naboo, because Anakin insisted that his mother was present at the ceremony. Padmé agreed, knowing that the woman won't tell anyone. Sadly, she didn't have that luxury with her parents, as they would force Anakin to leave the Order. And they couldn't have that. Not when there was a war on the horizon.
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Sheev Palpatine sat in his office, recovering from a visit. Anakin Skywalker just left his office, giving him some troubling news.
Because until now, the Chancellor was sure that his plan was executed without any trouble. The war has begun, and Jedi finding themselves right in the middle of it. Which would result in their destruction.
But not everything has fallen into place. While Sheev wasn't surprised by Anakin's reveal of his newfound marriage to Senator Amidala, he almost choked when he heard that Anakin's mother was alive. Bruised and tired, but alive. That wasn't supposed to happen. The bounty hunter was hired and killed right after completing his task of kidnapping Shmi and leaving her near the Tusken camp. Palpatine pressed for more information and soon found out that Anakin's friend - Danas Drak had a vision of Shmi dying in Anakin's arms. And that he, along with Anakin's other friend Barriss Offee has managed to rescue the woman from certain death. The young Skywalker was constantly saying that he couldn't ask for better friends.
Now Palpatine was wondering - how did that vision reach Danas Drak? Why did the Force decide to warn the young Zabrak?
It wasn't the first time Palpatine has heard of Anakin's two friends. But he never paid much attention to them, focusing on grooming his future apprentice. Now he knew, that he'd made a mistake. These two could ruin his carefully prepared plan.
He would have to wait and see how events play out. If there was a way to use Drak and Offee in his plans, he'd do it. If not... They would have to be eliminated.