Team Chipmunk: The Next Generation

Episode 3: "The Coruscant Trilogy, Part 2: Endless Night, Endless Day"

Chapter 2

The Runabout Von Erich landed at a Senatorial landing pad. Star turned in her chair and watched Obi-Wan and Anakin in one of their customary verbal jousts.

"Are you coming, Master?" Anakin asked. "Oh no," Obi-Wan said. "I'm not brave enough for politics. I have to report to the Council. Besides, someone needs to be the poster boy."

"Hold on, this whole operation was your idea. You planned it. You led the rescue operation. You have to be the one to take the bows this time," Anakin said in protest.

"Sorry, old friend," Obi-Wan said, apologetically. "Let us not forget that you rescued me from the Buzz Droids. And you killed Count Dooku. And you rescued the Chancellor, carrying me unconscious on your back, and you managed to land that bucket of bolts safely . . ."

"All because of your training, Master," Anakin interrupted. "You deserve all those speeches of your greatness."

". . . the endless speeches . . . Anakin, let's be fair. Today, you are the hero and you deserve your glorious day with the politicians," Obi-Wan said.

"All right," Anakin conceded. "But you owe me . . . and not for saving your skin for the tenth time . . ."

"Ninth time," Obi-Wan corrected. "May I remind my former Padawan that that business on Cato Nemoidia doesn't count. I'll see you at the briefing."

As Anakin and Palpatine stepped off the Von Erich, Obi-Wan turned to Star. "Admiral, do you mind giving me a ride back to the Jedi Temple?" he asked as the entry hatch closed.

"No problem, General," Star said. "Set a course." "Yes, ma'am," the clone trooper pilot said.

Several hours later, Star and her boyfriend/executive officer, Jonathan Stoppable, were in Star's quarters on the Enterprise, having a talk about how their romantic relationship had stalled because of their service in the Republic.

"Star, we need to do something," Jon said. "If we keep on holding our feelings for each other back, something bad is going to happen—something we both will regret."

"I know, Jon," Star said. "But, we promised Ahsoka and Chancellor Palpatine that we'd help defeat the Separatists and their Decepticon allies."

"I realize that, Star," Jon said. "Listen, I've got an idea. Be right back." Jon smiled, then stood up and kissed Star. He then walked out of Star's quarters.

Star sat and thought for a moment. Then, she had an idea. "Max, this is Star. Replicate a number 7 to my specifications," she said. "Compliance," Max said.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the ship, Carter Evans and Miley were talking about how Miley had been adjusting to life following her rescue from the Decepticons.

"Miley, you've improved a lot over the time we've served the Republic," Carter said. "I'm glad you think that way, Carter," Miley said. "But, I feel I still have a lot to learn."

"Maybe so," Carter said. "But, we'll learn together." As he said that, Carter reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red case and opened it.

Inside the case were two gold rings. "Miley Ray Stewart, will you be my girlfriend?" Carter asked, pulling one of the gold rings out of the case.

Miley looked at the ring in between Carter's fingers and started to cry. "I...I don't know what to say," she said.

"But..." Carter started. "Yes, but," Miley said. "I love you, Carter. Put that ring on my finger. I'll put that one—"Miley gestured to the ring that was still in the cage. "—on your finger."

Carter put the ring on Miley's finger. Then, Miley picked up the case and put the other ring on Carter's finger. They then kissed to seal their romance.

In the corridor outside Star's quarters, Jon tightly gripped an object in the pocket of his Republic officer's uniform jacket. Then, with his free hand, he rang the door chime. "Come in," Star said.

The doors into Star's quarters slid open, revealing Star. She was clad in an outfit that left little to the imagination. "Star, honey, what are you doing?" Jon said.

"Jon, while you were gone, I did some thinking," Star said. "Remember what you said about what would happen if we continued to hold our feelings inside us?"

Jon nodded. "Well," Star continued, "I decided on a way we could release those pent-up feelings without doing serious and permanent damage to our relationship."

It was then that Star said five words that made Jon's heart skip a beat: "Jonathan, make love to me."

::TBC::