Inhaling Stars
The Queen of Azyrion
"Gregor, what's the situation?" Obi-Wan demanded, rushing toward the clone trooper.
"Commander Cody's in bad shape, sir. Hyperdrive is down, engines failing… Guess you don't need all the technicalities, do you?" said Gregor.
Obi-Wan flinched away as sparks sizzled from the rupturing engine and frazzled wires. "No, I worked out the damages myself for the most part. Any systems in the area?"
"One, sir. Azyrion." said Gregor.
"Affiliation?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It's a neutral system, sir." said Gregor.
Obi-Wan stumbled as the ship rocked violently, sending him sprawling against the wall. "Are communications still online?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then request permission to land." Obi-Wan ordered.
"We don't have time to wait for a response, sir!" Gregor protested.
Obi-Wan sighed. He knew that. But the Republic could not interfere with wounded and seek help from a neutral system without permission, especially since it would endanger the system's neutrality. He held onto a bar for balance. "Then let's hope they're friendly."
…
"Queen Vespera."
Vespera looked toward the source of the voice, one of her advisors, Dassyne. "Any news?"
"The ship crashed in the western forest not too long ago. It was a Republic ship." said Dassyne.
"Were there any survivors?" Vespera queried, her brow furrowing.
"All on board were alive, your highness. Most were wounded, one was near death." said Dassyne.
"Where are they now?" Vespera asked, standing from her throne.
"They are being held within the military base, your highness." said Dassyne.
"Have they been treated?" Vespera asked.
"Your highness?" Dassyne frowned.
"Have they been treated?" Vespera demanded. Dassyne shook his head. "How am I supposed to question dead men?" Vespera sighed and descended the steps leading up to her throne. "I want them provided with sufficient care, and I want to see these Republic soldiers myself."
"Your highness, this is a dangerous task. Perhaps I…" Dassyne tried.
"I am not helpless, Dassyne, though your concern is well noted." said Vespera, striding down the hall.
"There is a Jedi among them." said Dassyne.
Vespera halted. Her pulse fluttered and a wave of fire rolled down her spine. She swallowed the lump in her throat and licked her lips. "Are you sure?"
"I was informed that a lightsaber was confiscated. Only Jedi carry that weapon." said Dassyne.
Vespera clenched and unclenched her fists. She wiped the sweat onto her gown and lifted her chin. "The Jedi are peacekeepers, yes?" she said, turning to Dassyne.
"Yes," said Dassyne, his dark eyes flickering back and forth.
"Then there's no need to fear the Jedi. The Republic has no right to be here, therefore they are at Azyrion's mercy. Let's not forget we hold the upper hand." said Vespera. Dassyne dipped his head.
"Yes, my queen. Do you require your guard?" he said.
"I'm heading into the heart of our military base," said Vespera, "I see no need for my guard."
…
"I don't like this," said Waxer.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "Patience," he reminded his troops. "I sense these are no enemies among us."
"They took Cody!" protested Gearshift.
"To an infirmary, I presume." said Obi-Wan.
"If they had left Cody with us, he'd be dead." agreed Gregor.
The door to the hangar slid open. Two soldiers marched in. "The queen wants a word with you lot."
"And what queen would this be?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Queen Vespera," said the soldier on the left.
Obi-Wan dipped his head. "Then we are at her mercy," he said. "We will comply." Waxer helped Obi-Wan, who had wounded his leg, stand and lead the other troops out of the hangar and followed the soldiers to a different hangar, which was empty. Obi-Wan patted his side for his lightsaber. It was gone. He frowned. He was confident he could talk his way out of this rather than jump into violence, but defending himself and his troops, should it come to that, would prove difficult without his lightsaber.
"Oh boy." muttered Gregor. Obi-Wan lifted a brow and directed his attention to the other end of the room. A woman entered the hangar. She wore a navy gown that fit her quite well. Silver threading adorned the bodice and sleeves while a silver, bejeweled circlet decorated her blonde head. Her green eyes narrowed at the sight of Obi-Wan and his clone troopers. Obi-Wan pushed away from Waxer to present himself as the leader and clasped his hands behind his back. He tried not to stand on his bad leg. He bowed low to the queen of Azyrion.
"Queen Vespera," he greeted.
"Clever of you to learn my name before this encounter to make yourself seem more knowledgeable than you are," remarked the queen, "but I am in the dark about a number of things regarding you and your battalion. We could start with your name."
Obi-Wan lifted his head. He straightened and wobbled slightly. A pang shot through his leg as he put pressure on it to balance himself. "I am General Obi-Wan Kenobi. These are my troops, Captain Gregor, Waxer, Gearshift, Boil, Crys, Longshot, Trapper and Wooley. The last member, Commander Cody, was taken by some of your soldiers."
"He was taken to the infirmary," said Queen Vespera. "He was near death when you were discovered."
"Thank you," said Obi-Wan, relaxing slightly. He winced when another wrench spiraled up his leg.
"I trust you are aware that my planet is neutral?" Queen Vespera said.
Obi-Wan nodded. "We didn't have time to request permission to land, your highness. We apologize for the inconvenience. The Republic will pay for any damages…" He trailed off when the queen waved him off.
"I am not interested in payment; Azyrion can handle that itself. I am concerned that your crashing here as compromised Azyrion's neutrality." she said.
"With all due respect, your highness, the laws do not state that we cannot crash-land here. Your helping us is what really compromises your neutrality." said Obi-Wan.
"Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission," muttered the queen, her eyes sparkling. She looked amused.
Obi-Wan frowned. "Pardon?"
Queen Vespera looked at him, her lips twitching. "You crashed here on purpose rather than requesting permission."
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows and glanced at Gregor out of the corner of his eye. "That was not a decision of ours, no."
"Conscious, anyway," said Queen Vespera. Her eyes flickered past Obi-Wan to regard the other troops. "And if I had not assisted you, your commander would be dead and your other wounded would have sustained worse injuries. Your leg would be in worse shape, too."
Obi-Wan frowned. "So what do you want the Republic to do, your highness?"
Queen Vespera looked at him. "Nothing for now. You and your men need treatment. We can discuss this in greater detail at another time."
Obi-Wan dipped his head. "Thank you, your majesty."
Queen Vespera nodded to him and swept away, the train of her gown trailing behind her.
…
"Queen Vespera, these Republic soldiers must go. Azyrion cannot maintain its neutrality if they remain here, under our care, for much longer!" Dassyne snarled.
Vespera tapped her fingers against the table before glancing around at her other advisors. "And what do you think, Kolar? Ozzeral? Zannar? Wularf?"
Her other advisors shifted uncomfortably, exchanging blatant glances. Kolar spoke first. "Dassyne has a valid point, my queen. There is no reason to show these Republic soldiers such kindness. It will only endanger Azyrion."
"We do not have the military forces to engage in a war." barked Ozzeral.
"This could lead a Separatist attack right to our front door!" agreed Zannar.
"But there is no shame in helping those in need." said Wularf.
"Perhaps," said Zannar, "but we do not owe the Republic anything. Why start now?"
"Why did we declare neutrality?" asked Vespera. Her advisors stared at her, hanging on her question with broken fingernails. "Because we haven't a sufficient military? We do not agree with them, or the Separatists?"
"Our military is sparse. They aren't trained for war, they're trained to protect our planet." said Ozzeral.
"True," said Vespera, "but the Republic has no need for soldiers, which is what the clones are for. The leader of the Separatists is Count Dooku. Though he may have governmental insights that are beneficial, I cannot ignore the corruption within his causes. The Republic, though it has its fair share of corruption, is the lesser of two evils. Perhaps it is time Azyrion joined a cause to keep evil from spreading throughout the galaxy. Perhaps it is time for Azyrion to add another system –one that is not corrupt –to the Republic cause."
"If we come out of neutrality, that leaves us open to attack." said Ozzeral.
"We are not safe now," Vespera replied. "Now that the Republic has landed here, the Separatists will see this as an opportunity to try and recruit us. We have been pushed into a position that will force us to choose a side."
"And it is the Republic's fault!" snarled Ozzeral, jumping to his feet.
"And what do you suggest we do? Request payment? Azyrion has plenty of wealth." said Vespera.
"Get rid of the Republic soldiers!" Ozzeral snapped.
Vespera pursed her lips. "No," she said, getting to her feet. "I refuse to abandon those in need." She dismissed the council and left the corridor.
…
"General Kenobi," called a woman. Obi-Wan looked over to see Queen Vespera standing in the threshold of his room in the medbay. "May I enter?"
Obi-Wan gestured for her to enter. He doubted he had much of a choice, but he chose not to comment on that. Queen Vespera entered, her presence commanding respect. Her gown helped with that aura. The sleeves were short, but sharp and pointed. The gold bodice hugged her curves but cinched in her waist before flowing into a long, black skirt. A gold crown sat atop her head. But there was more than just her queenly attire that had Obi-Wan's tongue tied around her. He sensed something about her, but he had difficulty placing what it was.
"I was informed that Commander Cody is undergoing an operation," said Queen Vespera.
Obi-Wan nodded, a little surprised that she remembered Cody's name. "Thank you for allowing him to receive treatment."
"I am not heartless." said Queen Vespera, the gold earring dangling from her ears bobbed as she turned her head toward him. She paced the room, examining the different machines.
"Even so," said Obi-Wan, picking his words with caution, "I am not sure what we did to deserve such hospitality."
Queen Vespera turned toward him, folding her hands in front of her. "I have my reasons, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan frowned. "I assume you know I am a Jedi?"
"The lightsaber gave it away, yes," said Queen Vespera, "which pertains to one of my reasons as to why I am assisting you so much. I am interested in the Jedi."
Obi-Wan composed his features. "That's a curious interest."
"Well, I find the Jedi curious." retorted Queen Vespera. She glanced around, as if making sure they were indeed alone. Reassured, she continued. "I have also heard the Republic is floundering in terms of finances."
Obi-Wan knitted his brow. "And what would that have to do with helping my battalion and me?"
"Azyrion is a small planet, but a wealthy one. My planet could be a valuable asset to the Republic." Queen Vespera replied.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "That does shed some light on your motives."
"I do not want to make any rash decisions without hearing my people, though." said Queen Vespera.
"So what do you need me for, exactly?" Obi-Wan queried.
"I want to ask some people of different classes for their opinions on the Republic and the war and Azyrion's neutrality, but I cannot venture out of the castle alone." said Queen Vespera.
"I'm not sure I know what you are suggesting, your highness." said Obi-Wan.
"My advisors are strict," said Queen Vespera. "They think I cannot handle myself out on the streets and so keep a close watch on me. It's nearly impossible for me to leave by myself."
"You want me to sneak you out?" Obi-Wan translated. His face deadpanned.
Queen Vespera smirked. "If you are up to the challenge, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan blinked. "Beg your pardon, but aren't you the queen?"
Queen Vespera's smile was wry. "A queen here only holds so much power."
"I'm not sure I like this, your highness." Obi-Wan muttered.
"It could benefit the Republic at large," said the queen. "Besides, you owe me for helping Commander Cody. My advisors were all against it. I had to argue quite vehemently on your behalf."
Obi-Wan sighed. "All right, I will help you. Just… Try not to look so royal."
Queen Vespera smiled. "I'll do my best."
…
Hi! So, first Star Wars fanfic… This takes place right where the TV show left off, since they never finished it. I'll go into the movies, too. I know OC's are not generally liked, which is understandable, but I like writing them because I love creating characters and could not get the idea of Queen Vespera out of my head. This is a slow burn fic, like… VERY slow. I'm gonna do my best to keep everyone in character. I've done quite a bit of research and hope I do okay! Please review and tell me what you think!