Padmé's ears perked up at the escalating echoes of blaster fire cracking through the dungeon corridors, She strained against the energy field of her cell, pressing her face close to it, as she craned her neck to peer down the dimly lit hallway.
Dozens of guards rushed past her cell, Gamorreans and Weequay mercenaries alike, their weapons drawn as they sprinted toward the source of the commotion.
Her gaze shifted back down the opposite end of the corridor, where a tall black droid emerged from the shadows, over two meters high, with glowing blue photoreceptors scanning the corridor.
A group of ten guards turned, and opened fire. SD8 twisted its torso with unnatural flexibility, bending backward at the waist to dodge the first volley while raising one palm, firing quick shots that punched through two guards' chests, dropping them instantly. "Pardon the intrusion, gentlemen," it said, stepping over the bodies, "but I must insist you step aside."
Three Gamorreans charged. SD8 leaped forward, grabbing one by the throat with enhanced strength, its metal fingers crushing the windpipe before hurling the body into the others, bowling them down like pins. It spun on one foot, flexible joints allowing a full rotation while firing from both palms, bolts vaporizing knees on four more guards, felling them mid-stride. "Do forgive me for the mess," SD8 remarked politely as it stomped down on a crawling Weequay's head, the skull exploding underrr the weight.
Reinforcements poured in, frontthe side doors. SD8 vaulted over a barrier, its body contorting midair to evade fire, then landed in their midst, extending arms to grab two guards by the necks, lifting them off the ground with servo-powered might and slamming their heads together in a crack of bone. "One does hate to be rude," it intoned, firing point-blank into the crowd, bolts cauterizing torsos on six enemies as they collapsed in heaps. The droid bent at impossible angles, dodging a vibroblade strike, then countered by pistoning its fist into the attacker's gut, punching through armor and out the back in a spray of sparks from ruptured internals.
The remaining guards scattered, firing wildly, but SD8 pursued them all and killed them all quickly. "There we are, all tidied up," it said, dusting off its hands as the corridor fell silent.
Padmé gripped the bars of her cell, the sounds of blaster fire fading into distant echoes as the corridor quieted. After a moment the droid walked past the dead bodies. It approached her cell, and raised a hand, interfacing with the control panel.
"Who are you?" Padmé asked, stepping back, the tight dancer's costume shifting uncomfortably as she moved, the fabric clinging to her sweat-dampened skin.
The droid's head tilted. "Do you not recognise me? I am SD8, madam. Sent by Master Jaden to secure your release."
Padmé's eyes widened. "SD8? You were a small service droid last I saw you!" The tiny droid she'd known months ago, barely knee-high, was now this imposing figure.
"Master Jaden has made considerable modifications," SD8 replied, overriding the panel. The energy field flickered and deactivated. "If you would, please step out so we may leave this place."
She hesitated, then stepped forward. "We can't leave yet. There's a plot against the Jedi, Ziro's working with Count Dooku to frame them for kidnapping Jabba's son. We have to stop him."
SD8's photoreceptors dimmed slightly. "I must advise against that, Senator. My directives are to ensure your safety and extract you immediately."
Padmé bent down, snatching a blaster rifle from a fallen guard. "This plot could shift the war's balance. The Jedi are at risk, and so is the Republic. I have to do this."
The droid paused, its head tilting as if processing. "Master Jaden explicitly instructed your rescue. Engaging Ziro directly contradicts—"
"Can you help reactivate my friend C-3PO?" Padmé cut in, pointing to the deactivated protocol droid slumped in a corner.
SD8 inclined its head. "Very well, madam." It moved to C-3PO, extending a probe from its finger to interface with the droid's access port. Sparks flickered, and C-3PO's photoreceptors blinked to life,.
"Oh dear!" C-3PO's arms flailed as he sat up. "Please, do not harm me! I am merely a protocol droid, fluent in over six million forms of—oh, goodness!" He froze, scanning the dungeon, his head swiveling. "Senator Amidala, this place is dreadfully dangerous! Unsanitary conditions, hostile lifeforms, and... oh my, we're in a Hutt prison!"
"Calm down, Threepio," Padmé said, gripping the rifle tighter. "We're getting out." She turned to SD8. "Can you get us to Ziro?"
SD8's frame stiffened. "As my primary directive is your protection, I am obliged to assist. Follow me, and stay close."
They moved through the corridor, SD8 leading with long strides, its blaster pistols deployed from its palms. A squad of six Weequay guards rounded a corner, rifles raised. SD8 fired first, bolts punching through two chests, dropping them instantly. It grabbed another by the throat, crushing it with a snap, then spun, its flexible joints bending to dodge a vibroblade while shooting the attacker through the head. "Do keep up, madam," it said politely, stepping over the bodies as it gunned down the remaining two with precise shots to their torsos.
C-3PO stumbled behind. "Oh my, this droid is frightfully dangerous! Senator, we're doomed! He'll get us all killed with this reckless violence!"
"Don't worry, Threepio," Padmé said, clutching the rifle as she followed SD8. "He's on our side."
They pressed deeper into the compound, SD8 clearing the path. Four Nikto charged with electrostaffs; SD8 vaulted over them, landing behind to snap ones neck with a twist of its wrist, then fired bolts through the others, bodies collapsing in smoking heaps. "My apologies for the inconvenience," it remarked, kicking a fallen staff aside.
As they turned a corner, they nearly collided with Jaden, his lightsaber ignited, scorch marks and sweat streaking his face. Padmé's eyes widened, and she rushed forward, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug, her breasts pressing against his chest through the flimsy costume, the fabric riding up further. Jaden froze, surprised, then instinctively hugged her back, his hands grazing her exposed lower back; a mistake, given how the outfit left little to the imagination.
Padmé pulled back slightly, oblivious to the costume's effect. "Jaden, how did you know to come after me?"
He cleared his throat, stepping back. "Long story. I'll tell you when we're out of here."
SD8 interjected. "Master Jaden, you appear injured. Medical attention is advisable."
Padmé's gaze snapped to Jaden, noticing the burns on his shoulder and thigh. "You're hurt!"
Jaden waved it off, wincing slightly. "I'm fine. But we need to move. The distraction won't hold forever. Soon, a few hundred pissed-off mercs will flood these corridors."
Padmé shook her head, gripping her rifle. "I can't leave. Ziro's plotting against the Jedi, working with Dooku to frame them. It could cripple the Republic's war effort if their plot is allowed to come to fruition."
Jaden's eyes narrowed. "In ten to twenty minutes, a squad of clones will come knocking. Courtesy of our friend Bail they can handle Ziro."
Padmé stepped closer. "Ziro could slip away by then. You know how Hutts can be, they wouldn't be the peak of the criminal world if they couldn't slip away in a situation like this."
Jaden sighed, running a hand through his hair. He saw the pleading look in her eyes, the way her lips trembled slightly. "Please, Jaden."
He shook his head, unable to refuse her. "Fine. We'll head to Ziro. But we move fast and hope we can take him hostage while we wait for reinforcements to come."
Padmé hugged him again, her body pressing tight against his, "Thank you."
Jaden spun his lightsaber, deactivating it with a snap-hiss. "Let's get a move on," he said as he motioned for Padmé and SD8 to follow.
C-3PO trailed behind, muttering, "Oh, my circuits can't handle this stress!"
They charged through the corridors of Ziro's palace, blaster fire erupting around them. Jaden deflected bolts with his saber, slicing through a Weequay mercenary's rifle before thrusting the blade into his chest, the cauterized wound smoking as the body fell. Padmé fired her blaster rifle, two shots catching a Gamorrean in the torso, dropping him in a heap. SD8 raised its palm blasters, unloading bursts that punched through three Nikto guards, their bodies collapsing with charred holes.
A squad of ten Trandoshans blocked their path, scatterguns roaring. Jaden Force-pushed a crate into the group, crushing two against the wall, then leaped forward, slashing through another's arm and kicking the next in the chest, sending it sprawling. Padmé rolled behind cover, firing shots that felled two more, while SD8 grabbed a guard by the neck, crushing it with enhanced strength before firing into the rest, bodies piling up in seconds. Jaden had managed to catch a glimpse of what was under Padmes skirt twice now, and he would be lying if he said it wasn't distracting him.
After a bit of fighting they finally reached a massive reinforced door. Jaden glanced at SD8. "Splice it open."
SD8 interfaced with the control panel, probes extending from its fingers. Sparks flew, but the panel buzzed with a denial tone. "Apologies, Master Jaden. The encryption is military-grade. I cannot bypass it without significant time."
Jaden growled and Padmé slammed her hand against the door. "We don't have time for this!"
"Alright," Jaden said, stepping back. "Back me up, SD." He closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force, his hands trembling as he focused on the door's mechanisms. Metal groaned as invisible pressure twisted the locks, the door inching open with a screech.
SD8 wedged its hands into the gap, servos whirring as it used its enhanced strength to pry the door wider, metal bending under its grip. Padmé dove through the opening, firing two shots that dropped a pair of guards inside. She spun, blasting the door's internal panel, forcing it to slide fully open with a grinding clunk.
Inside, Ziro the Hutt lounged on a massive dais, surrounded by cowering servants and dancers in skimpy outfits. He screeched, "Kill them! Kill them all!" Four guards rushed forward, vibroblades drawn. Jaden Force-leaped onto the dais, slashing through two in mid-stride, their weapons clattering as they fell. SD8 fired its palm blasters, dropping the other two with shots to their heads, smoke curling from the wounds. "Most regrettable," SD8 remarked.
Jaden ignited his lightsaber, holding the glowing blade inches from Ziro's slimy throat. Padmé aimed her blaster at the Hutt's bulbous head, her eyes blazing. Servants and dancers shrank back, huddling against walls or diving behind crates, their faces pale with fear. Padmé glanced at them. "Don't worry. Just stay hidden for now."
She turned to Ziro. "You won't get away with this, Ziro. Framing the Jedi, working with Dooku, it's over."
Ziro's multiple chins wobbled as he leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You I remember you, Jaden, my boy, let's make a deal. Credits, ships, power, name it, and it's yours."
Jaden rolled his eyes. "Go kriff yourself Ziro, I haven't forgotten what you did last time we met."
SD8's photoreceptors flickered. "Master Jaden, sensors detect numerous guards approaching. Estimated arrival: thirty seconds."
Ziro's lips curled into a smug grin. "Ha never mind! You're all dead. My forces will bury you." He madly gestured with his arms, his whole body wobbling as she shouted.
Jaden's boot slammed into Ziro's side, making the Hutt screech, his body jiggling in pain. Jaden turned to the door. "SD8, command code Alpha-673-Bravo-987. Activate Attack Mode."
"Code confirmed."
"Activating Attack Mode."
SD8's body shifted with a mechanical whine. Its head elongated, streamlining for aerodynamics, while its legs reconfigured, joints bending into a digitigrade stance built for speed. Panels on its back opened, deploying twin missile launchers, and its arms sprouted vibroblades. Rocket boosters unfolded from its spine. And multiple blaster rifles formed on hus arms and back.
SD8 ignited the boosters, skidding across the floor with a screech of metal, then leaped onto the corridor walls, its clawed feet gripping as it skated horizontally, gaining speed. A wave of thirty mercenaries charged down the hall. SD8 launched off the wall, and slammed into the front line, vibroblades slashing through three torsos in a single arc, bodies dropping in halves. It fired missiles from its back, explosions ripping through ten guards, debris and smoke filling the air. Reinforcements kept pouring in and soon SD8 was struggling to fight them, but he kept at it and for a moment there was a stalemate.
Jaden smirked while turning back to Ziro. Padmé stepped forward. "It's over, Ziro. A dozen clone squads are en route to this location. You'll only make things worse for yourself if you resist."
Ziro's eyes bulged, his slimy hands slamming on the dais in frustration, his voice rising to a petulant wail. "Fine! Stand down! All of you, stand down!" He signaled his remaining guards over the comms. "Now promise not to hurt me! And that I'll be treated as befitting of someone of my status."
Jaden exhaled, relief washing over him. He liked it when things were easier. He stepped toward Padmé, who still held her blaster on Ziro. "Need me to get a confession out of him?"
She shook her head, shoving the blaster into Ziro's fleshy folds, making him flinch. "That won't be necessary. Will it?" she said in a cold voice as Ziro cowered.
Ziro's eyes darted nervously. "It was Dooku! The Sith forced me! I had no choice, none of this was my fault!"
Jaden rolled his eyes, dropping into a nearby chair, his burns and bruises aching as he let the tension drain. "Sure, Ziro I'm sure you didn't get anything out of this deal."
Since everything was in hand Jaden sat back and poured himself a drink from the bar, the most expensive one that was there which he could tell annoyed Ziro. Soon after, clone troopers stormed the compound and they secured the area. Everyone inside was rounded up for questioning, but Jaden and Padmé were cleared to leave, their ties to the Republic smoothing the process.
Back on the ship that Bail loaned him, Jaden finally had a moment to sit with Padmé in the ship's cockpit. She just wanted to go back home after everything that had happened and Jaden didn't blame her, though as soon as they sat down she turned to him.
"Tell me everything that's happened to you since we last saw each other," she asked with a smile.
(AN: I kind of speed ran the end, but mostly cause it would be boring. Anyway next chapter we get to thr second part of the film and joining Anakin and our girl Ahsoka Tano in their journey to get Rotta back. I hope you liked how I changed things slightly. I mean I was just thinking about and I couldn't help but think he was woefully under guarded. Idk maybe I'm wrong. Anyway it's over now.)
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