Prompt:
Anakin and Altheria, alongside their Padawans, Suth and Ahsoka, are sent to confront Count Dooku on Geonosis.
Requested by AllisonTart
She/Her❥
•OC Insert
Part 2! Clouded Judgement
3rd POV: Altheria
♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎
Altheria sighed deeply while staring down at the planet as they landed. She and Anakin Skywalker have been sent to confront Count Dooku on Geonosis, and she couldn't help but be nervous. She had never fought a Sith Lord before— her and her Padawan, a young Chiss named Suth, were strictly posted on planets to protect civilians from the droids. Suth was nervous too— Altheria could sense it.
However, Altheria felt a dash of confidence over Anakin being present during this mission. He and his Padawan, a Togruta named Ahsoka, had many run ins with Sith, especially Count Dooku. Although Altheria and Suth had little experience with this type of combat, she still trusted the force, and her accompaniment,
"Approaching the surface of Geonosis!" the familiar voice of Hawk echoed through the ship.
Altheria, Suth, Anakin, and Ahsoka were loaded in a Clone Trooper transport ship alongside a handful of the 501st. The rest of Anakin's battalion was following close behind. Altheria's group was ready to take on anything the Separatists could throw at them.
"Land us near the Droid Factory!" Anakin responded while looking up at the speakers that Hawk spoke through, "Get the boys ready for a fight— they know we are coming."
Altheria couldn't help but grip her lightsaber hilt reflexively. She was nervous— more nervous than she's ever been before. She wasn't sure what she was most worried about; her own health and safety, or the heath and safety of Anakin and her Padawan. Ever since Anakin and Altheria had confessed their feelings for one another, she had noticed her anxiety levels had risen over the safety of the Chosen One. Altheria knew Anakin was going through the same anxious bout,
"How are you feeling, Master Altais?" Anakin asked his secret lover in a whisper tone, "I can sense your anxiety. It's all over the place."
Altheria blushed in embarrassment over Anakin's words. He was right though; she was very worried,
"I'm alright," she responded quickly, taking the advantage of Ahsoka and Sith's conversation to tell him how she really felt, "I'm just worried I may lose you."
Anakin made a clicking sound with his tongue, and sighed. He wrapped his hand around Altheria's lovingly; squeezing softly, "My love, I would cross the whole galaxy to be by your side. Someone like the Count will not rip us apart."
Her chest swelled, full of love for the Chosen One. It's odd how one simple concept could put Altheria's mind at ease, yet here she was. Anakin could change her mood unlike any other.
Altheria squeezed her lover's hand right back; the anxiety leaving her system, "Thanks, Ani."
He nodded reassuringly, and regretfully pulled his hand out of hers. The ship had successfully landed on the surface of Geonosis without a single Separatist shot fired. Hawk was truly an excellent pilot— perhaps even rivalling Anakin Skywalker himself. No pilot could maneuver a Separatist-controlled world without getting noticed besides someone like Hawk.
The door to the outside opened. The 501st spilled out and immediately began to make a home base. It was out of range of the Droid Factory scanners, so it will be relatively safe. Of course, Anakin and Altheria anticipated Droid search groups, so a few Clones were posted at every possible point around the base camp, and rotated accordingly.
"Okay," Ahsoka began as Anakin, Altheria, and Suth exited the ship and touched the sandy ground below with their boots, "We could walk to the base and get there within an hour, which I would recommend. Speeders will draw attention."
"I agree with your Padawan," Altheria nodded approvingly, earning a subtle nod from the Togruta, "We should hurry and leave soon. We only have a handful of daylight left, and the Droids do better in night than we do."
Anakin nodded in agreement while eyeing his right hand man, Captain Rex, "No time to rest, Rex. Get your men ready."
Anakin then explained the plan to his battalion; each of them chiming in with their approvals. Although many of the Clones were programmed to immediately agree with whatever plans or ideas their Generals came up with, Anakin always made sure that the 501st felt comfortable sharing their insight if they saw a flaw in a plan.
Altheria liked this a lot about him.
The Clones had no disputes about the plan, which was the four Jedi would enter the base without being detected, whether if that meant entering through a docking bay, or sneaking in undetected. They would corner Dooku, and the four of them would capture him.
The Clones' job was to sit outside and take care of any Droid that finds them, or grab Dooku if he tried to escape.
"Alright, men!" Altheria shouted while clapping her hands together, "Let's get a move on!"
Leading the battalion were the four Jedi and Rex. They trekked across the orange rocks without a single word. Altheria, although feeling an unspoken confidence due to Anakin's presence, was still nervous for Suth. He was still very young and hardly had any training. Altheria silently cursed the Council for sending Suth alongside his Master for this mission. If he died, she would never forgive the Council.
Their walk swiftly went by. The terrain was manageable; most of the rocks and treacherous hills behind them. The land ahead was flat, and everyone appreciated this. This also gave them a huge advantage when it came to Droid patrols that would inevitably appear sometime during their stay on Geonosis.
Strangely, there wasn't a single Droid in sight. The 501st battalion surrounded the Droid Factory, especially around any entrance or exit,
"Alright, I say we enter through that window up there," Anakin commented as the rest of his men got into their assigned positions along the sides of the factory.
Suth gripped onto Altheria robe and gulped. All the time Altheria has known the Chiss, he's proved to have a bit of a fear problem. They haven't had much time to work on it, but now was the perfect time,
"Suth can go first," Altheria proclaimed while shooting her apprentice a look that said, 'Don't argue.'
The Chiss gulped and nodded, "Sure, Master."
Altheria, Anakin, Ahsoka and Suth began the climb immediately. Captain Rex and some of his other men watched the sky to make sure no oncoming Droid ships were approaching to shoot down the four Jedi.
Suth wriggled his way up the cliff. He was shaky, but firm at the same time. He was able to make it to the window and pull himself through. The other Jedi waited for Suth's declaration over whether or not this window was a safe entry,
"Come on up, guys!" the Chiss announced while sticking his head out the window and flashing his Master a smile.
She chuckled and eyed Anakin, "You and Padawan Tano may go first. I'll cover the rear."
Anakin and his Padawan ascended and climbed through the window as well. Altheria began to climb up to join them, when the rock she was clinging to on the side of the factory snapped off. Her life flashed before her eyes as she began plummeting to the orange planet below. However, before she was able to fall too far, Anakin extended his hand outwards, catching her immediately,
"Hold... on!" he grunted through overworking himself. Suth and Ahsoka extended their hands and gripped onto Master Altais before she could fall.
Altheria felt like vomiting. She was upside down, looking down at the 501st battalion from below, and not to mention her adrenaline rush was overwhelming.
Finally, the trio was able to lift Altheria into the window. As she entered the Droid Factory, she collapsed into Anakin's arms without meaning to— she was simply that drained.
She huffed and laid her head on his chest, intaking his strong scent, "Thank you, Anakin," she whispered; closing her eyes as the adrenaline rush began to fade, "You saved my life."
"Not just me," he whispered, pushing a strand of hair away from Altheria's face, "Suth and Ahsoka helped too."
The Master looked up and beamed appreciatively towards the Padawan, "Thank you both."
Both Padawan nodded in appreciation. The group pressed on once Altheria was able to walk again, and the shock of falling had passed. The Padawan took the front; their lightsaber locked in their fists as the walked. Everyone was on high alert.
Anakin and Altheria picked up the rear; whispering softly as they walked,
"You need to be more careful," the Chosen One whispered to his lover, "I couldn't live without you if I tried. Please, just be more careful."
Altheria laid her head onto Anakin's shoulder as they walked. Suth and Ahsoka were concentrated on making sure no Droids snuck up on their group, so they weren't focused on what their Master's were doing,
"I'm sorry, Ani," she whispered, placing a soft kiss on his cheek, "I love you, and I'm sorry. I didn't know the rock was loose."
Anakin kissed her forehead lovingly, "I'm not blaming you at all. I know you didn't know the rock was loose. I just can't bare with the thought of being separated from you. I know joining the force is an absolute honour, and we should be happy for those we've lost, but I can't lose you yet. You're too precious to me."
Altheria's heart swelled so much at Anakin's declaration of love and appreciation over her. She didn't understand how she got so lucky with him— their love was forbidden, yet here they were.
Suddenly, before Altheria could respond to Anakin, Suth and Ahsoka stopped ahead, "Masters, I sense the Count," Ahsoka commented while looking around, "He's near."
All of a sudden, Anakin was lifted off the ground. The Chosen One sputtered and choked as an invisible force encased around his throat. Altheria felt like vomiting when she saw Count Dooku appear from the shadow; his eyes glowing in the darkness,
"Good evening, Master Jedi," he greeted, pulling Anakin away from the Jedi and to his side, "A little birdie told me about your plans. I will kill Skywalker right now if your little group doesn't leave right now!"
Altheria unsheathed her grey lightsaber, as Ahsoka and Suth unsheathed their green ones, "Let him go now!"
Anakin's eyes rolled into the back of his head as the Count continued to put pressure on his windpipe, "Put the lightsabers away," Dooku warned while clenching and releasing his fist, "I would rather not kill Skywalker because of what potential he has as a Sith apprentice to me, but I will not hesitate to do so if you three don't back off now."
Altheria's brain felt like it was drowning at those words. She felt stuck— in a purgatory. Her obligations were to the Council and their plan to capture and hold Dooku accountable for his numerous crimes against the Republic, yet there was a voice inside screaming at her to listen to the Count so Anakin would be okay.
Finally, Altheria dropped her head and sheathed her lightsabers, "Listen to the Count, Padawans."
Ahsoka and Suth sheathed their lightsaber immediately; anger laced on their expressions.
The Count dropped Anakin. The Chosen One plummeted to the ground; unconscious. Altheria raced over to him and picked up his neck and head— holding it comfortably in her arms,
"Now, leave!" Dooku warned; his hand resting on his hilt. It's as if he knew he couldn't take on Anakin, Altheria, Suth and Ahsoka. He was smarter than he looked.
Altheria glanced to the two Padawan, "Help me pick up Master Skywalker. We will do as the Count asks."
The old Sith just nodded and crept back into the shadows, "If you are lying and try to come back, I will destroy all four of you without batting an eye. You will never be this lucky again."
"Yeah, yeah!" Ahsoka growled while hoisting Anakin onto his feet, as he was beginning to regain consciousness, "We heard you, old man. Now run like the coward you are before we change our minds," she scoffs and stares daggers at him, "Only a Sith would surprise an opponent like that— you filth!"
Count Dooku smirked wildly from his spot in the shadows, "You talk big for such a young, inexperienced Padawan."
Then, he was gone into the belly of the Factory.
Getting Anakin down from the Factory was very difficult. If the group thought getting up was hard, then getting back down again was like running a marathon in the pouring rain with no shoes on. It was seemingly impossible, and took quite a long time.
Thanks to the Jedi Training that all three conscious Jedi endured, they were able to get Anakin down safety without any further injuries.
When they got back to the ground, Ahsoka and Suth went off to find Captain Rex and Kix. Anakin's throat was beginning to bruise from the choking. His eyes opened, and he looked Altheria in the eyes; warmness evident, "Hey, you," he whispered; the tone very gravelly from the choking, "Did we get Dooku?"
"No, because you're clumsy and got caught," Altheria whispered in a joking tone. She was glad her lover was alright after all, "We will get him next time. I just couldn't let him kill you even though it was my duty as a Jedi."
His robotic hand rose and cupped Altheria's face lovingly. She closed her eyes and moved into the touch, "I love you," he whispered tiredly, "I love you more than words can even describe."
"The feeling is mutual, Ani," she whispered back while lowering her face to his; their lips meeting. It was like magic every time they kissed— it felt fresh and new every time, "Looks like we both have to work on being more careful."
Anakin chuckled, but it was followed by a mucusy cough, "That we do... that we do."
November 7th, 2022
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net