Clone Wars Reign Chapter 1 Mara Sector Passage
Resolute, Briefing room
Anakin Skywalker entered the briefing room with Ahsoka in tow. He found Obi-wan already waiting for him with holograms of master Yoda and master Mace Windu.
"Thank you for finally deciding to join us Anakin", Obi-wan smiled with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I… had something I needed to take care of", Anakin explained.
"New mission for you, we have", Yoda began. "Master Vaan and Fisto, reinforcements in the Jal system, they need".
"We'll set a course immediately", Anakin said.
"No", Windu said. "Master Lilliana are already on the way with the 19th Corps".
Obi-wan and Anakin glanced at each other.
"So, what's our mission"? Anakin blurted out immediately.
Yoda and Windu looked at each other for a moment before speaking.
"To the Mara sector, you must go, negotiate passage through Ranni space, you must", Yoda spoke. Obi-wan and Anakin looked at each other with Ahsoka standing looking surprised. "Without passage, take a month to aid masters Vaan and Fisto, it will".
"Instead we can do it in weeks. Furthermore it will be much easier to assault CIS positions beyond the Mara sector with the Ranni cooperating", Windu explained. "They are the greatest power in the sector".
Obi-wan nodded understandingly.
"Still", Anakin said. "But why now"? The three masters turned to him. "Why6 the sudden interest in the Ranni? There must be a more specific reason".
"Indeed", Yoda nodded slowly.
"Our intelligence says Dooku are sending someone to negotiate passage and maybe even an alliance with Queen Rae Mary II", Windu continued explaining. "As you understand we cannot allow the CIS to gain such an important ally. It could turn the war in their favor".
"We'll set a course for Carthage Prime immediately masters", Obi-wan assured.
Anakin sighed quietly. Great, a diplomatic mission which could take weeks. He preferred the calmness of a battlefield over the annoyance of a meeting about discussing treaties.
"Senator Amidala are coming to join you", Windu said. "You'll meet her at the Taxus system. "May the force be with you".
That was happy news anyway. Padme would be there. So maybe it wouldn't be so boring anyway. No, no it definitely would. He was sure of it. Nobody could bring enough rescue to the upcoming sleep fest.
Carthage system, Carthage Prime, Royal Palace
The young Queen Rae sat by her desk, reading a book in her quarters. She had a blue shirt and black pants and her feet were bare. She had long red hair going down her back and bright purple eyes. She was in her early twenties.
She'd come halfway in the book this far. In the room it stood three high bookshelves along one of the walls. A large double bed was in the middle of the rooms other end. Her grandfather who built this Palace was a fan of old style, so he had built it without mechanics such as retractable doors and instead doors of wood. A knock on the door made her aware someone was outside her quarters.
"Enter", Rae told the visitor.
The door opened and a guard entered. He bowed to her. The guard wore a blue light armor with black junctions and a helmet with a yellow visor. In his hand the guard held a carbine.
"Your grace, excuse the intrusion but Jarl Kael is here to see you", the guard explained.
Rae nodded and put down her book.
The guard walked out as a dark skinned man with dark brown hair entered. He had the noble clothes suitable for a Jarl of the nobility. The small red cloak looked to be of expensive silk.
"My Queen", he bowed respectfully.
"I don't recall calling for a meeting", Rae stated while she stood up.
"No of course not my Queen", Kael said bowing his head. "I wanted to speak to you about some matters".
Rae nodded approvingly.
He walked further into her room step by step.
"First I must enlighten you that the court awaits you to marry", Kael began. "They expect you to soon marry a king or high ranking lord and"…
Rae rudely interrupted him.
"Yes, yes I know what the court want", she glared at Kael. "They want me to marry and produce little princes and princesses"… she stopped herself. "Princes at least. "I already have a daughter from my late husband as you might recall".
"Of course", Kael exclaimed immediately. "But a prince are preferable to a princess I am afraid". And afraid he was. Kael knew he was really pushing it. The last thing he wanted was to make the Queen angry and fall out of favor, maybe even his title as a Jarl.
She glared at him again but turned away.
"Yes because goodness know what could happen with a woman on the throne", she said sarcastically.
"I would never say that your grace", Kael said.
"Didn't have to", Rae replied harsh. Her voice became softer and gentler. "You are one of a few I really trust without hesitation".
Kael bowed again, though she didn't see sense she had her back turned.
"And I am honored", he assured.
He was considering if it was a good time to bring up the other news or if it could wait. It was almost a week until then and it wasn't too important to inform her today after what some would call, a scolding. But he wouldn't call it that. If anyone scolded anyone, she scolded him. Anyway you didn't talk in any way to the Queen and kept your position… or sometimes your head.
"I'll must beg my leave your grace", Kael said turning and walking towards the door.
"Wait", Rae said turning around. "So said you have several things to discuss".
He turned and smiled respectfully.
"That can wait your grace", Kael assured.
"If you are concerned about my temper Jarl", Rae said. "It will became worse if you keep anything from me".
Kael nodded.
"We have received messages that both a Republic and CIS cruiser is on the way here", Kael informed.
"Why"? Rae asked confused. What could they want them, or her?
"Both want to discuss free passage through our space and possible something more", Kael explained. "They want to talk about an alliance with us".
Rae thought for a moment.
"What are the odds both come here at the same time"? She pondered.
"I would assume one made the first move and then the other heard about it and are trying to stop it by giving a better offer".
"Right", Rae said.
She nodded to Kael he could leave. He bowed and walked out the door, closing it behind him. Rae returned to her book again. Shortly there was a knock on the door and a two servant girl entered. They carried trays with food and wine.
They put it on the table and while one left after bowed the other poured up a glass of wine. Rae reached out for the glass but the servant girl stopped her by grabbing her hand. Rae looked at her surprised by the daring gesture.
"My Queen", she whispered, catching Rae's full attention. "Don't drink the wine".
The servant bowed and left Rae's quarters. Leaving Rae staring after and at the the glass of wine. Was it poisoned? Was someone trying to kill her with poison?