Author note and disclaimer: I don't own anything in Star Wars aside from the plot of this story and the original characters involved. The quote below is from the Darth Plagueis novel. My son is autistic and I'm his primary caregiver so this drastically cuts into my writing time. Updates will be as frequent as possible but realistically for now will probably be once or twice a month for the foreseeable future. Thank you for reading!

I decided to put this story on hiatus for the time being. My cousin who passed away helped me write it and her preferred style was first person... I suck at that perspective. I intend to rewrite in third person. I expect this to take place in the fall after my current story is finished. Thank you.


Tell me what you cherish most, so I will know what to take from you. - Darth Plagueis


Two year prior to the events in The Phantom Menace...

The Jedi Temple was the last place I wanted to be. Memories – mostly bad – assaulted my mind as I stood outside the High Council chambers. My eyes ached and my back screamed as I stood staring mindlessly out the massive windows. Streams of air traffic buzzed by carrying people to and from destinations I could only imagine.

I hoped my audience with the Jedi Council would be swift.

Coruscant was not a world I enjoyed. Many Galactic citizens found the capital to be a marvel. I was not among the admirers of this city-planet.

Give me tall grass the shade of moss, profusions of exotic blossoms and crops, and sandy beaches any day over durasteel skyscrapers.

"Indu Sotas, I did not expect to see you here." The warm, rich voice addressing me was one I knew well.

I smiled and turned away from the windows. "Master Jinn, I am pleased to make your acquaintance once more."

Qui-Gon Jinn was a tall, tawny-haired human male. Handsome with vaguely leonine features, he was arrayed in the simple robes Jedi favored. The years since we had last seen one another proved kind for he had only a few more lines on his face with a smattering of silver threading through his long hair and beard.

The Jedi Master flashed a serene smile in my direction before indicating the young man beside him. "Indu, this is my padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Obi-Wan was young, perhaps twenty-three, with the sort of masculine beauty capable of making young women swoon. He was tall –though not as tall as his master – with a lean build and a heart-shaped face boasting a dimpled chin and strong cheekbones. The jaw and lips both were strong indicating virility. Auburn hair shorn in the padawan manner complimented a pair of dancing blue-grey eyes.

He smiled and bowed, "Miss Sotas, I am pleased to meet you."

I was Obi-Wan's senior by a decade if not more. Pity, he was a lovely creature.

"Likewise," I assured him.

Qui-Gon studied me closely. "I was sorry to hear of your brother's death on Xaram. Please accept my sincere condolences."

I bowed my head and forced tears back. The reminder was one painful as a vibro-shiv to the gut. "Thank you, Master Jinn." I composed my features. "The loss was painful indeed. Valek was a good man."

"He was," Qui-Gon agreed. "What brings you to Coruscant and the Jedi Temple? As I recall you have never enjoyed spending time on this planet."

I cleared my throat. "No, I do not. I was summoned before the Jedi Council."

Surprise consumed Qui-Gon's face. "I see."

He clearly did not and I was not about to enlighten him. The man was kind-hearted but I did not hold Jinn in high enough esteem to betray the Jedi Council's confidence.

Padawan Kenobi stared at me with a slight frown.

Behaving rudely would not due. I managed a smile and clasped my hands behind my back. "How is Madame Nu? I remember she had a limp the last time I saw her."

Qui-Gon smiled in return though the sentiment never reached his eyes. "Madame Nu is much better. You ought to visit her after your appointment with the Council. I am quite certain she would be happy to see you, Indu."

The fact he was not fooled by a snippet of charm and small talk was concerning.

"Excuse me, Master Qui-Gon," Padawan Kenobi interrupted. "How do you and Miss Sotas know one another?"

I smiled broadly and indicated Master Jinn take the lead.

He cleared his throat. "Indu is the daughter of Jedi Knight Baz Sotas of Tanar."

Shock widened Kenobi's eyes. "Attachment is forbidden. Is not marriage and children an attachment, Master?"

"While marriage and children is indeed a form of attachment in some cases the Jedi Council allows a Jedi to wed for cultural reasons," Qui-Gon explained.

I managed to choke back a laugh. "My father was the only son of a very old family of Mandalorian heritage. Tanar is one of the worlds Mandalore conquered millennia ago and under the control of Mandalore. Father was betrothed to my mother while he was still in the womb. My grandparents contracted the marriage and only allowed my father to be taken by the Jedi for training with the understanding he would return to Tanar to do his duty in carrying on the family line."

"Why were you not trained?"

Kenobi's question poked at the bitterness settled deep in my soul. "I am not Force Sensitive."

His eyebrows surged upward. "I thought perhaps..."

"Padawan," Qui-Gon's voice was warm yet held a warning.

The padawan blushed. "Forgive me for prying."

"There is nothing to forgive," I returned with as much warmth as possible.

The swish of the door interrupted Qui-Gon and he swiftly closed his mouth.

Mace Windu stood on the threshold with a welcoming smile belied by serious eyes. "Thank you for coming, Miss Sotas. The Council is ready to speak with you." He nodded to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. "We will be with you both shortly."

I took a deep breath and followed Master Windu into the chamber.


The sound of the doors closing behind me felt like the end of the world.

Standing in the center of the large, airy council chamber surrounded by the most highly esteemed Jedi Masters of the Order was enough to induce anyone – Force Sensitive or not – into a severe case of the jitters. The varying expressions on the diverse faces around me only increased the ill feeling I had.

Mace Windu sat and rubbed his chin. "Do you know why we asked you to come to Coruscant, Miss Sotas?"

I nodded. "The communique I received stated the Jedi Council's need for my services." A frown crossed my face as I shifted and clasped my hands together. "I must confess to being at a loss why the Jedi would need the service of a security company."

"Sense in you mistrust I do," Master Yoda stated as his large eyes peered deep inside me. "Haunted you are by the shadow of your father."

Baz Sotas was not a loving man. He was cool, unemotional, and treated both his wife and three children as impediments to his growth as a Jedi. Despite his faults, I also found my father to be highly intelligent with great compassion for those in need and an occasional, surprising sense of humor.

My brothers and I – none Force Sensitive – learned early in life to work hard and perform with perfection in all endeavors. If we failed, it was best to hide the mess from father's all-seeing gaze.

"I do not deny you speak the truth."

Plo Koon's deep voice resonated with a slight metallic edge through his breathing mask. "Jedi Knight Sotas' death on Janora Prime is a loss to not just your family but the Jedi Order and the galaxy as a whole. I was well acquainted with Baz and he was a remarkable man. He has been deeply missed this last decade."

A respectful bow of the head was my only response.

Mace leaned back in his chair; releasing a sigh. "I trust you understand the matter we are about to discuss with you requires great discretion. The nature of the issue is political and secretive."

My eyes widened a little but I nodded in agreement. "Yes, Master Windu. I understand and accept your request for confidentiality."

"Very good," Windu returned. "One of the members of the Republic Senate was attacked recently in what we believe to be an assassination attempt. The most disturbing part of the equation is that the would-be assassin was a member of the Senate Guard."

Shock washed over me in pounding waves. The Senate Guard was made up of the most loyal security personnel the Republic had to offer. That one amongst them could be a turncoat was beyond words.

"I…" Shaking my head, I swallowed. "This is astonishing news indeed."

Yoda nodded; his large ears dipped toward his small shoulders. How a being could be so small and fragile in appearance yet radiate such power never ceased to amaze me. "Sorrowful it is for it indicates moral rot in the heart of the Republic."

Mace turned his intense, dark gaze onto me. "Chancellor Valorum asked for a Jedi to be assigned as a security escort for this particular senator."

My eyebrows edged up toward my hairline. "I am confused. If the Jedi are to provide security why am I here?"

The elegant Ki-Adi-Mundi with his tall domed head and piercing lavender eyes gave me a subtle, teasing smile. "You are here because the Jedi are not providing security."

"The senator in question is an honest, good man. He believes accepting a Jedi security escort will not only take away needed Jedi from serving in galactic conflict where resources are stretched tight but signal that he is fearful." Mace Windu gave me a smile etched with severity. "Chancellor Valorum agreed… reluctantly."

Master Gallia's soft voice echoed around me from her position across the chamber. "The Chancellor asked us to recommend a loyal, reliable individual to provide security for our hesitant senator."

Windu did not appear happy. "You were trained by your father in combat from an early age before being schooled as a warrior on Mandalore. Not only do you run one of the top security companies in the Mid-Rim but your reputation for honor and integrity is well-known. The Council believes you are the best candidate for the job – if you want it."

"Who is the senator? I think it best if I know prior to giving you an answer. Personality accounts for much and if it someone I have clashed with in the past it would be best for you to look elsewhere."

Yoda's ears lifted and he gave a hearty, wheezy chuckle. "Senator Palpatine of Naboo was the target."

My mind drew a blank. "Who?"

Plo Koon spoke in a voice filled with subtle amusement. "I see you do not faithfully follow politics."

"Not particularly," I admitted as I scrambled to picture the man Yoda named. "I visited Naboo several years ago but I have no idea who Palpatine is."

Mace pressed a button on the arm of the sleek council chair he occupied. "Perhaps you might recognize him visually."

A bluish, life-size holo appeared beside me. In response I walked in front of it and studied the figure with intensity.

The man was only a few inches taller than me with wide shoulders for his frame. The flowing robes he wore made it impossible to distinguish his body type but he carried himself so straight and with such a ramrod posture I suspected he took good care of himself. His face was heart-shaped with a heavy, patrician nose and sharp, dimpled chin. Thin lips and high cheekbones gave his face character. What struck me most were his eyes – piercing, intense, and extremely intelligent.

"I'm sorry," I stated. "I don't recognize Senator Palpatine from a bantha herder."

Master Yaddle released a throaty giggle from her seat.

Windu studied me without a smile. "Are you willing to provide security for Senator Palpatine?"

I sighed and rubbed a hand over my mouth. "Yes. I will need the next few hours to deal with my company and to make arrangements for my next-in-command to step in for me while I remain… here."

"You do not seem pleased," Ki-Adi-Mundi remarked in his elegant, calm voice.

"Staying on Coruscant for any amount of time is not a pleasant thought to me," I answered with honesty. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Republic in some way, but I would be pleased if such service might take place elsewhere."

Mace Windu stood. "We appreciate your candor, Miss Sotas. I will send a padawan to your hotel tomorrow morning. She will escort you to Senator Palpatine's residence."

I bowed and left with as much grace as I could scrape up even as I cursed like a Corellian pirate in silence.


Morning dawned with a rosy-gold sky over the city. Hover cars traveling skylines appeared as a thousand Tanarian dragonflies. Despite the exotic cityscape, I was uncomfortable. All I wanted was to leave Coruscant far, far behind but before I could attain my freedom one last challenge remained.

Instead I had to report to my assignment as Senator Palpatine's security consultant.

The thought made me ill.

I initiated the comm in my room and waited.

The computerized voice came alive. "How may I connect you?"

"Jatras Kove on Tanar," I replied.

A moment later the grizzled features of my second-in-command appeared as a small, bluish hologram floating above the comm unit. A patch covered Jatras' right eye – lost in combat years earlier – even as scars bloomed across his right cheek similar to a spider web. The older man was a mentor to me not just as a warrior but as a businesswoman.

"Sotas," he greeted in his unique, hoarse voice. "The preparations have been made. I promise you everything will run smoothly at Solaris Security in your absence."

Jatras and I spent hours the night before ironing out the details of keeping Solaris up and running while my time was occupied with the good Senator. Doubts always existed but Jatras had the experience to deal with any issues prone to pop up.

I managed a tight smile. "Thank you, old friend. The knowledge you'll be dealing with any problems is a relief."

"Yet you still frown," Jatras' image peered at me. "Guarding this senator will bring opportunity to Solaris and spread the company name throughout the galaxy. Does this not please you?"

With a slight shrug I turned away. "The ability to grow our business is pleasing. Remaining on Coruscant less so. My wish is to return to Tanar."

Tanar was a Mid Rim planet on the edge of the Outer Rim as far from Coruscant and Mandalore in appearance as possible: green, lush, and filled with beauty. The world was mainly jungle with a tropical atmosphere and large ocean teeming with life. The population lived in several large cities aside from remote farms. Tanarians believed in preserving their world not destroying it in war as the Mandalorians had Mandalore or building relentlessly until nothing but duracrete and transparisteel remained such as on Coruscant.

He chuckled. "You are obsessed with flora and fauna, Sotas. Rest assured Tanar will be just as you left it upon your return. The people will not abide any changes to the environment."

I released a dim murmur before turning back to the holo. "Contact me if anything goes ill."

Jatras gave a firm nod; all traces of humor now wiped from his face. "It shall be as you ask."

Nodding, I turned off the comm unit. The Jedi padawan would be here soon to collect me. Bustling around the room I packed my bags, donned my Mandalorian armor, and tidied up. The room looked relatively unused and I was proud of that fact.

My reflection in the mirror across from the door captured my attention.

I was a woman of thirty-five with medium height and lean build. Some considered me attractive as I never lacked male admirers over the years but I was not considered beautiful on Tanar. My features were not symmetrical, my face not heart-shaped but long and oval. Cheekbones a tad too sharp and a chin too soft dominated the landscape of my countenance. My nose was long and while suited to my features it lent a harsh aura as did the thin, unsmiling mouth I boasted. A pair of deep, smoky eyes surrounded by thick lashes stared out from beneath thick, winged dark eyebrows. Raven hair complimented my bronze-colored skin leaving me with a vaguely exotic appearance.

The subtle chime of the doorbell pulled my attention back to reality.

Crossing the room, I palmed the door control.

A low, well-oiled hiss sounded as the door slid open and exposed a young Twi'lek female with blue skin and dressed in simple Jedi robes. She smiled and bowed her head respectfully. "Good morning, Miss Sotas. I am Lala Mayvan. Master Windu asked me to escort you to the Naboo consulate for your meeting with Senator Palpatine."

I smiled and gathered up my bags along with my helmet. "Thank you, Padawan Mayvan. I appreciate your kindness."

The padawan stood straight and observed me with a raised chin. "It is my pleasure to serve, Miss Sotas. Shall I help you with the bags?"

"No," I shouldered the burdens easily and tucked my helmet beneath one arm. "I'm fine."

Lala nodded and stood aside to allow me by. We walked in silence through the hotel and to the padawan's speeder parked out front. Once settled Lala turned on the vehicle before guiding it into the space lanes.

Lucky for me Lala was not much for idle chit-chat. I was not much of a conversationalist either so the ride was more pleasant than I anticipated. Aside from a brief traffic jam in the Government Quarter, we made good time.


The Naboo Consulate was a tall, elegant silver spire of a skyscraper with bluish tinted windows. Situated in the heart of the Government Quarter it was surrounded by the Alderaanian and Corellian consulates along with a few government buildings.

Lala landed the speeder perfectly on the parking deck of the embassy.

A middle-aged man with sallow skin and a displeased frown stood waiting. His robes were richly embroidered linens from a Core World. He gave a sharp nod to both Lala and I. "On behalf of Senator Palpatine and all of Naboo please accept our welcome. Follow me."

He led us inside and onto a richly paneled lift. A pair of dark, beady eyes glanced first at Lala and then at me. No words were exchanged as the lift lowered. Once the doors slid open he stepped out into the corridor gesturing for us to follow.

Navigating a series of twisting, light-filled corridors we emerged at last into a large airy reception room.

The man gave us a nod before stepping through a pair of large glass doors.

"He isn't very friendly," I commented to Lala.

She flashed a serene smile. "No, he isn't. I suppose having your employer nearly murdered might make one suspicious of strangers."

My eyebrows rose. "Suspicion of strangers I can see but baseless mistrust of the Jedi seems a bit much." The Jedi Order did not engender warm fuzzy feelings in my heart; that being said I certainly didn't hate them.

Lala gave a soft shrug.

Before I could retort the doors opened and the man was staring at us. "Senator Palpatine will see you both." He gestured at the packs I shouldered. "Please leave your belongings here. I will have your bags moved to your chamber."

Reluctantly I set both bags on a nearby chair. I stubbornly kept my helmet beneath my arm as I followed Lala past the man.

We stood inside a simple yet elegant study decorated in shades of scarlet and sable boasting an excellent view of the skyline. Seated behind the desk was the man from the Jedi Council hologram: Palpatine.

A bald, pasty female in rich pearl grey robes stood beside him gathering up various data pads.

Senator Sheev Palpatine looked up and gave us a wan smile. The side of his face was badly bruised giving his pale skin a sickly appearance. Dark shadows accentuated just how blue the man's eyes were. His hair was a mix of ginger fading into white; surprisingly thick with a natural gloss and wave. He carried a weary aura though I sensed he had a strong constitution evidenced by the fact he was hard at work after suffering an assassination attempt.

"Thank you, Sly," Palpatine addressed the woman beside him with a warm, rich voice boasting a near perfect Core accent. "Please see to it Senator Malaka receives my proposal."

Sly Moore did not speak and sailed by us as though intent on carrying out the Senator's orders.

Once she left, Palpatine stood and skirted the edge of his desk. He carried himself with a sense of dignity and pride. The robe he wore was forest green with embroidered details native to his home world of Naboo; the style also reflecting his heritage in that the robe ended just above the knees and was cut much as a jacket might be. Beneath the robe he sported black breeches and black leather boots of excellent quality.

"Padawan Mayvan," he addressed the young Jedi kindly though without the warmth he showed his aide. I determined from this Palpatine was a man who valued loyalty - Sly Moore he knew, Lala Mayvan he did not. "Please convey my appreciation to the Jedi Council for their assistance during this dark time."

Lala nodded; her lekku twitched. "I will, Senator Palpatine."

Palpatine turned his attention to the man shadowing the door. "Sate, please escort Padawan Mayvan back to the landing pad."

The other man bowed from the waist. "As you wish, Senator."

I allowed my eyes to follow the pair as they left.

"You do not like my aide." Palpatine was watching me closely as I turned my attention to him once more.

I took a deep breath. "No, Senator Palpatine, I do not like him."

He smiled though his eyes held a troubled expression. "Sate Pestage is my most trusted advisor and more importantly – he is the most loyal person of my acquaintance." Taking a deep breath, Palpatine exhaled slowly. "I'm sure you can understand why I value Sate as I do."

"Indeed," I remarked. "Considering the current state of affairs, I do understand."

Palpatine gave me an absent nod as he turned and strolled toward the windows framing the cityscape outside. He stopped and clasped his hands behind his back. "The Jedi Council made you aware of the assassination attempt I presume."

I stayed where I was and observed the man. "Yes, but not the particulars. I assume Master Windu thought it best if you and your staff informed me of the details."

The Senator of Naboo stiffened just a little before allowing a soft, barely audible chuckle to escape his throat. "Always the masters of neutrality," he shook his head. "I will see to it that you are briefed by Sate and Sly on what happened."

I could see Palpatine's reflection in the glass. He appeared even more tired than when I first stepped into his office. Still, I needed every bit of information the man had in order to help stave off another attack. "I'm sure you must be tired, Senator. However…"

Palpatine turned. "However you need all the details of the crime in order to begin planning how you will keep me safe." He paused a moment. "Am I correct?"

"Yes," I replied.

He seemed lost in thought before his eyes flicked to mine. "May I ask you a question, Miss Sotas?"

Nodding, I watched him approach me on slow, surprisingly silent feet.

Those blue eyes of his studied every millimeter of my features as though committing me to memory. He finally spoke; his voice low and rough. "How did the daughter of a well-respected Jedi Knight and heir to one of the most distinguished, powerful clans on Tanar come to be in the security for profit business?"

The question stung me and I recoiled. He observed the reaction and seemed to store it away for another time. My mouth opened and closed before I gained the ability to speak once more. "My background is easily accessible by databank."

A tiny line appeared between Senator Palpatine's thick eyebrows. "I am well aware a common search will bring up your entire life story." He stared at me with such intensity I longed to take a step back. "If the Jedi Council recommends your services, I will not question them. That being said, I know all of my closest staff intimately. I wish to know and understand you as I do them."

I said nothing. I appreciated his concerns and desire for answers. I also had no desire to delve into my past.

"I'm here to serve you as best I can in the capacity of a security officer. A personal relationship need not play a role. We are employer and employee."

Palpatine reared back as though I administered a stinging slap to his cheek. His brow descended and a chill expression entered his eyes. "I see," he accentuated every word with perfection. "If you wish to be on a subservient level to me so be it. Please wait in the reception area. Sate will be back shortly to escort you to your chamber. I will see to it that a briefing is held for you tomorrow morning with Sly Moore regarding the circumstances of the attempt on my life."

"Senator Palpatine…"

"Good evening," he cut me off in a cool, brusque tone before turning his back and heading toward the windows once more.

I'd never been much of a social person yet I sensed in that moment exactly how bad I screwed up.

Instead of arguing with Palpatine, I withdrew to the outer room. As soon as I heard the doors whoosh closed behind me I let out a deep, gusting breath. 'I hate Coruscant.'