CHAPTER VI
Angel of Despair
"The Chancellor welcomes members of the Loyalist Committee: Bail Organa of Alderaan; Orn Free Taa of Ryloth; Darsana of Glee Anselm; Lexi Dio of Uyter; Onaconda Farr from Rodia; Zo Howler of Gravlex Med; and Ask Aak, from Malastare. Senators Padmé Amidala, Ister Paddie and Havriso Looruya are not in attendance. It is the Chancellor's sincerest and most profound regret that he cannot attend this meeting. I, as his aide, will act as his representative."
A stir of unease went through the rich fabrics of the assembled senators as Sly Moore took her seat. Since the Loyalist Committee was formed before the Wars to act as an advisory committee to the Chancellor and ensure that a Republic-wide viewpoint was taken when dealing with the Separatists, Palpatine had never failed to attend a meeting.
"Did the Chancellor give a reason?" Bail Organa asked.
"His Excellency is presently in an emergency meeting with members of the Jedi Council regarding the military situation on Thule."
Thule. The most recent of the battles of the Clone Wars. Reports had come that the Republic had grossly underestimated the size of the Separatists forces located there. Thule was in the Outer Rim; it was likely that by the time reinforcements got to the Republic troops, it would be too late. The holonet news had been carrying the story for days, crying out about an impending massacre of Republic troops and civilians.
"Well, that is understandable," Senator Aak announced brusquely. "We will try our best to carry on in his absence. What is the agenda for this meeting?"
"First on the list was Thule. And what exactly is so understandable about Palpatine not attending this meeting? He dares sideline us on a decision of this magnitude." As always, Senator Farr's translator made it impossible to determine the tone of his voice, or even if the last statement was a question.
"He is with the Council," said Zo Howler. "I'm sure they will advise him appropriately."
"The Jedi Council?" Lexi Dio said with cool skepticm. "Unlikely. We had to twist their arms to fight for us in the first place. Stars know only what they're telling him now."
"A Jedi has more wisdom in his finger than you have in your entire body!" Zo Howler roared.
"Or maybe the Chancellor would prefer to surround himself for once with matured adults rather than a bunch of squabbling children!" Senator Aak roared over both of them. "Senators!"
A hush fell at Aak's reprimand.
"Apologies," Zo Howler and Lexi Dio said simultaneously and with identical insincerity.
Aak sighed dramatically. "Now, onto the rest of the agenda. This morning, someone raised the issue of Corellia with me…"
Aak prattled on, clearly more interested with his subtle election as de facto president of this meeting, than he was in Corellia's declaration of her decision to close her borders to both Republic and Separatist. Bail tuned him out, too immersed in his brooding thoughts. Surely this constant bickering wasn't the best the Republic had to offer.
"…the Senator from Cartao will speak in the afternoon session," Onaconda Farr announced.
Bail tuned back in at once at the mention of Cartao. "So Cartao will not declare Contemplanys Hermi?" he asked with every show of surprise.
"Not that it would have been any great loss," Orn Free Taa said derisively. "Cartao is inconsequential as Mid Rim worlds go."
That's what you think, Bail thought with an inward smile. Amidala had planned to go to Cartao and, of course, he had known about them all along. It was Alderaani Intelligence that had discovered in time not only Cartao's political flirtations but also the recent advanced cloning technology that was being developed on the planet. If either side had gotten wind of this, the peaceful academic world would have been turned into a battlefield as Republic and Separatist armies fought over the latest game-changer in the Clone Wars.
Nowadays there seemed to be no end of battles over proven and unproven game changers to the Wars. And worlds were destroyed and lives taken to give one side a small advantage over the other. Amidala could only do so much with her personal visits, petitions and constant research, but she was doing more than all the people in this room combined. Bail was determined to assist her in every way he could.
Aak was saying, "Senator Hal arrived on Coruscant this morning. From his Governing Council, he brings a formal declaration of re-allegiance to the Republic. Senator Amidala was a witness to the declaration."
There was another stir. The taciturn Danstarn actually whistled.
"She's on a roll," he said in his usual blasé manner. "When she got Kashyyyk, I thought it was just a fluke. But now it's been three, four… how many systems exactly?"
"Of course we appreciate Senator Amidala's efforts," Aak said quickly.
Bail wasn't sure, but he thought he heard Danstarn snort.
"But," Aak said loudly, "this body hopes it is not too much to ask that she informs us of her plans, attends meetings on occasion and in general, remains on Coruscant long enough to be assessable to her colleagues."
"With all due respect to Representative Binks, of course," Zo Howler sneered.
"Perhaps she's too busy saving the galaxy to attend meetings," Darsana quipped. "What do the Holonets call her now? Angel of Hope? Cliché. But appropriate."
"Her job is to be a senator, not an angel," Zo Howler declared. "She's doing the work of a Jedi and it will end badly for her."
Orn Free Taa added, "Every time she visits one of those worlds, she's putting not only her life, but her personal reputation and the reputation of the Republic in danger."
"Such optimism," Danstarn drawled. "Such encouragement from one's peers. It really baffles one why Amidala can't make time for the likes of us." And he didn't say another word until the end of the meeting.
Which was a pity, Bail thought.
"Somebody has to do the work of the Jedi," murmured Lexi Dio who had obviously come to the meeting for the sole purpose of getting on Zo Howler's nerves.
"What's next on the agenda?" Bail asked quickly.
"Any other business," Aak said dramatically. "Would the Chancellor's representative like to contribute anything at this juncture?"
Most of the senators, Bail included, started. He had completely forgotten that Sly Moore was there. The palely clothed humanoid had been so silent that she had almost become part of the future.
Moore shook her head silently.
"Then, in that case…"
"I have something," Onaconda Farr said.
Aak frowned a little. "Yes, what is it, Farr?"
"When is the Republic going to make a decision on Mon Calamari situation?"
Bail jerked. "What decision?"
"What situation?"
All eyes turned. Framed in front of the large doors stood Padmé Amidala of Naboo.
The first thing that struck Bail was her small she looked. Her dark voluminous robes seemed to envelope her; her white neck and face seemed vulnerable above her gowns. But he looked at her face and the illusion of vulnerability disappeared. Her eyes were hard and strong. There was a force to be reckoned with beneath that graceful smile. He had always known this. It was strange why it seemed to suddenly strike him at that moment.
"Pardon my extreme lateness," Padmé's voice said pleasantly. "If I had received a notice on time, I would have made plans to leave Cartao earlier than I did." She gave a pointed glare at Aak as she swept into the room and took the seat at the head of the round table.
"You weren't in the capital," Aak said defensively. "And you've ignored so many of them in the past, I didn't think it'd make any difference."
"As you are well aware, Representative Binks is always glad to fill in for me during these meetings," Amidala said sternly. Then her voice became gracious, "But I accept your apology."
Aak choked. Bail definitely heard Darsana snort again. Bail himself was smiling as he got to his feet.
"Welcome back, Senator Amidala. We are pleased to hear that your visit to Cartao was pleasant and successful."
Amidala looked taken aback. Then she smiled.
Darsana got to his feet as well and with a flourish, he bowed low before Amidala. Then still standing, he started clapping.
Smiling, Bail joined in. Then Lexi Dio and Farr. Aak, Howler and Orn Free Taa joined in last.
It had been a long time since Bail had seen Padmé so flustered and he applauded harder.
Sly Moore watched on silently.
The warm welcome was the highpoint of the meeting for Amidala. It went down hill from there.
"Farr," she said urgently to the Rodian as he stormed out of the boardroom, "you cannot seriously be considering this."
"So as well as vengeful, I am also foolish?" he replied and the very tonelessness of his translator made the sarcasm sting sharper.
"No!" Amidala cried. "Why do you choose to take everything I say so personally?"
He brushed past her without another word, leaving her standing by the doors alone and confused. The other senators poured out. Each greeted her in his own form: Darsana with a formal bow, Aak with a poorly hidden smirk.
Bail came out last.
"How did word get out that I was planning on going to Mon Calamari next?" she asked at once.
"Farr raised the issue of an offensive against Mon Calamari before you had even arrived here. I didn't know. It could have been a coincidence…"
"I don't believe in coincidences, Bail."
"Whatever that may be. Farr is one of your allies. Don't alienate him now," he said seriously.
"He's going to raise the matter in the Senate this afternoon, isn't he? What kind of ally is that?"
Bail looked at her gravely. "Did you know of a Jedi named Master Rey?"
She had not expected that. It had come entirely out of nowhere and she had to actually close her eyes and breathe deeply.
Jedi. It was just a word. A simple, common, two-syllable word. But the sound of it brought such violent reaction to her emotional chemistry.
"Padmé?" Bail asked, concerned.
"Sorry," she said, forcefully pulling herself back in check. "Yes, I've heard of Rey. She is Iktochi. A gifted pilot. Decorated in the early battles, I think?"
"Was. She died on Kamino. Before the Wars, she sometimes acted as an advisor to Rodian Delegation. She was friends with Farr and his family, had even officiated on his son's wedding."
A cold silver of fear ran down Amidala's spine. A Jedi dying in battle. It was gradually becoming commonplace to hear it every now and then. And it never failed to frighten her in ways she did not want to explore.
Nowadays it frightened her more than ever. She was a Loyalist Senator, was privy to the list of Jedi soldiers dispatched at the various battles. Privy to the accounts of their exploits. Privy to the casualty lists which she scanned every day. The holonet rumors were a vast understatement from the facts. And while the Republic rejoiced in their Jedi heroes, Amidala… was cold. Because to feel might just kill her.
Bail was still speaking. "So you see now why he took your remark on vengeance so personally. And the damning thing is that this information proves you correct and makes his cause more sympathetic. Stars, I sympathize with him for this. You've read the reports. You know what's happening at Thule. If I lost a friend, a Jedi close to me…"
"Don't!" Padmé cried before she had even known she had spoken.
She had heard the rumors, that Cydon Prax himself was leading the Separatists army. Cydon Prax. Count Dooku's own right-hand champion and a creature of villainous military brilliance.
She would be cold.
He peered at her. "Padmé, are you alright? Your hands are shaking." He took them. She hadn't even noticed they were trembling.
She cleared her throat. "I'm fine." She pushed herself from the wall and took back her hands. It was ridiculous. Barely two hours on Coruscant and she was already falling apart. Ruthlessly, she forced herself back into some semblance of serenity.
"You don't look fine," he insisted. "Padmé, what's wrong?"
"I just had a long trip, Bail," she said rather shortly.
He hesitated. Then he took her hands again. "I'm not talking about just now. You've been … strange for a long time, Padmé."
She laughed bitingly. "Strange? How flattering, Bail."
He persisted. "I meant ill."
"Ill? I assure you Bail, I'm in excellent health."
"Then very, very unhappy."
She tried to take her hands back but Bail held onto them. She looked up at him to see a deep sadness in his face. "We're friends, Padmé, as well as colleagues. Please tell me what's wrong."
Amidala stared at her friend's good, kind face and all she could think was how much his probing words irritated her at the moment.
She smiled warmly, "I'm fine, Bail. Just tired. And look," she glanced at her chrono. "We're already late for the afternoon session. Farr has probably requested for a dozen invasions into Mon Calamari by now." She started walking ahead without waiting for Bail.
A few moments later, he caught up with her. He looked unconvinced but he held her arm as they walked down the corridor together.
As they turned the corner, the door of the antechamber slid open and shut behind them.
The ocean raged like a wild animal, a hungry, greedy, thieving beast. It stretched wide its mouth in a mountain-high wave and yawned over him.
"Save me, Padmé! Save me!"
"I can't!" she shouted from her safe harbor. "It's for your own good."
"Save me!"
She watched on as the wave swallowed his echoing cries.
Amidala jerked awake, trembling badly.
A shrill beep came from the corner of the room and her astromech droid rolled towards her, neon lights flashing anxiously.
Dané was by her side at once. "My lady? Are you alright?"
Instinctively, Amidala waved both away, even as she shook her head to clear away the horrible ache behind her temples. The handmaiden hovered uncertainly as Padmé took stock of her bearings. Artoo fell silent but continued its mournful display of lights.
She was still at her desk in her quarters in 100 Republica. Her draft of the Mon Calamari Reconciliation Plan lay unfinished beside a datapad that linked directly into the holonet feed. Next to them, the chrono told her it was the early hours of the morning.
"My lady?"
Amidala glanced at the datapad. "Anything new?" she whispered.
"Nothing, my lady," Dane said softly. "No word from the Chancellor's office or the Jedi about Thule."
The pain in her head seemed to intensify. "I need a painkiller."
The girl fetched it almost immediately. Amidala took a sip of the water that came with the small capsule and grimaced at the handmaiden's worried face.
"I'm OK. Stop looking so worried."
Dané flushed a little.
The pangs in Amidala's head eased a little. Barely. She closed her eyes and filled her lungs with purified, perfumed air.
"I need fresh air," she announced impulsively. "I'm going for a walk."
"I'll arrange your security detail at once."
"You'll do no such thing. I'm walking alone."
Dané's eyes widened; she opened her mouth and closed it.
Amidala grabbed her coat.
"Mi-milady, I don't think…"
"Then don't," snapped Amidala and she left the apartment.
Beeping frantically, Artoo followed his mistress.
The walkways of the political district were the highest on the capital. Fashioned out of clear blue stone, they enabled one to see the city below as one walked across. The technical crew had chosen mild rain for that day and the cold wind cut through the flimsy barrier of wire that lined the walk-way and threatened to buffet off Amidala's small figure from the bridge.
She almost wished it would. It would certainly make everything less complicated.
Wee hours of the morning, no light that was not artificial, but already the city planet was waking up. People passed her as she walked aimlessly, on their way to work, on their way from work. She kept her hood over her head and felt safely invisible in her anonymity. Not far below was a landing platform and she could see from the harried activities of the landing crew that they were preparing for an arrival. She stopped and stared down at the busy crew. It was comforting to know that she was not the only one denied the sleep of the blameless.
It wasn't the first nightmare she had had. They had been coming off and on since… since just after the Clone Wars began. Sometimes she recalled them in clear detail when she woke up, sometimes she only had a vague sense of anxiety. But the particulars were usually the same – a cry for help that she would never answer.
That she might never answer now…
The last word on the situation on Thule was a statement from the Jedi Council. A serene Jedi Master Windu had declared that there was a breakdown in communications with the Army troops stationed there. In other words, nobody knew what was happening there. The Holonet reporters were insisting that the Republic's losses were a foregone conclusion…
Amidala let the cold shield her. She would know. If anything… happened…
Padmé would know.
Artoo whistled soothingly, as he wobbled in her wake.
Amidala rubbed her forehead, trying to massage the ache that the fresh air had lessened but did not eliminate. There were other worries in her life than the unwanted nightmares of her dreams and life: even if those nightmares were connected to memories that refused to die.
As she had feared, Farr had made his request during the Senate session and she had countered it; and now the Senate was divided on the matter. It was a matter for military consideration so the senators could not decide it by mere voting. For that she was grateful. She wasn't sure a vote would have been in her favor. Despite her best efforts to keep her little excursions secret, the media had got wind of her activities and had decided to make her the latest in a long line of poster figures in the Clone Wars. Popularity had its advantages – making people aware that peace and reconciliation was still an option, was one of them. But it had a lot of disadvantages as well. The least was the dearth of security. The worst was the envy and bitterness it engendered in the more petty senators.
Her plain speaking nature, and personal relationship with Palpatine had made her very unpopular amongst her colleagues. With the addition of this new found 'fame', there were plenty in the Senate who would be more than willing to sabotage her efforts, not because of their personal views for or against them but simply because they were her efforts.
The fact that she and Farr shared the same allies was an added complication. Most of them were politely sitting on the fence, avoiding picking sides. Even Bail.
He had promised her information from Alderaanian Intelligence. This afternoon, he had broken their usual protocol and personally brought the first – and probably last report. A report that had only told Amidala things she already knew: the Commerce Guild had been the first contact the Mon Calamari had with the Republic and thus their loyalties would naturally be with the Separatists.
"Perhaps, if you really seek peace, you should let matters remain as they are," Bail had said gently.
"At peace? For how long before the Army invades Mon Calamari will this peace last?"
"I spoke to Aak and Orn Free Taa. If I could convince them to speak to Farr –"
"Pardon me? I must misunderstand you. You've spoken to Ask Aak and Orn Free Taa about this matter? Without consulting me?"
"Amidala, you know as well as I do that your social standing with them is civil at the best of times and your present actions… You need to be careful, Amidala. I'm only trying to protect you."
"I don't need your protection, Bail. And I'm well aware of my social standing with those sycophants. I take a lot of pride in my social standing with them. Do not presume to lecture me on the intrigues of politics," she had said coldly.
She remembered how Bail had blinked. He had looked completely taken aback.
"Is that the reason for this?" She shook the report under his nose. "Is that why this is all you could find for me?"
He had drawn himself up. "That was uncalled for, Amidala. Utterly." And he had walked out of her office.
She had slammed the door behind him.
One less ally.
She had a meeting with Palpatine this morning. A few hours from now, in fact. The first since she had returned to Coruscant. If he asked her to back down from the Mon Calamari issue, she had no idea what she would say in defense.
A particularly strong gust of wind actually threw her a little against the barbed wire. She leaned against it for a while, testing its weight. Artoo whistled in alarm. Feeling completely contrary, she stood upright again and looked for the cause of the gust. The anticipated shuttle was finally coming in to land. She watched the blinking lights as the craft descended. The sun had come up and she hadn't even noticed. It was a hazy dawn in Coruscant.
So vividly did Amidala remember arriving on a morning like this and having her world literally being turned upside down. Once more, she came closer to the wire, watching the shuttle land on its pad while memories of dead friends and happier times threatened to break a dam inside that she had thought impenetrable.
"Sorry," she murmured in the region of her knee; she had bumped into some tiny creature as she had got closer to the wire.
"Indeed, for many things, you are."
Amidala froze. sheArtoo gave a shrill beep. She looked down properly to see the worst of the last people she had expected or wanted to see.
"Fine morning, for a walk, I think not. Cold. Wet. Not as young as they used to be, my bones are."
"So why did you come out?" She felt the words force themselves out of numb lips. Numb body. Numb heart. She was completely and utterly numb with shock.
"With you, very much, I wish to talk." Yoda's eyes blinked wetly at her. "And, maybe, with someone, very much, you need to talk, too."
She was no longer numb. In fact, she was very much not numb. Her heart was beating with the speed of a podracer's engine and her face was so flushed she knew she was completely red.
She had known this would happen. It was inevitable; Coruscant was full of them. She had thought she could come back and continue as normal, seeing the brown cloaks and earnest faces, and not constantly associating them with…
She had been wrong.
"Forgive me, Master Yoda. But unfortunately, I need to get back to my quarters immediately. Perhaps we could make an appointment for later in the day." She smiled politely. Courtesy rose more out instinct than desire. Ingrained discipline was the only thing that prevented her from turning on her heel and fleeing.
Yoda nodded in understanding. "I see."
She gave a little bow and turned to walk away. "Come along, Artoo."
The astromech droid rolled in her wake, beeping sadly.
"Angel, they call you. Yes, maybe. Of peace, they call you. No, definitely." He called out the four syllables of the last word as if he were singing a nursery rhyme.
She spun on her heel, bumping into her droid. "What did you say?"
Yoda tilted his head to one side and looked at her as if she were an interesting piece of art that he were analyzing. "Goodness, once? Yes. Still? Yes, even. But too much pain. Too much anger. Why so angry, little Queen?"
"I am not-"
"Angry at the Jedi? Friends once, we were. Angry at the Senate? Allies once, you had. Angry at yourself? Padmé once, you were."
This was too much, Amidala decided somewhere in the middle of the red haze that clouded her mind. This was too much. It was bad enough that she had met a Jedi, any Jedi. But for this…
A small hand touched the toe of her boot.
"Peace, little Angel," Yoda said softly. "More anger, I wish you not. Help, you need. Ask, you would not, but give all the same, I will."
She took in a very deep breath. Then another. When she spoke, her voice sounded almost normal. "I don't need your help, Master Yoda." Once again, she turned to walk away.
"Maybe then, it is your help, I need."
Once again, his words halted her. Very slowly, she turned round.
"How?"
"Important, your work is. Necessary in these times, peace is. Jedi work, you do. Help each other , we can."
"I don't do what I do to help the Jedi."
He tilted his head the other way. "Not the Jedi, perhaps."
"What does that mean?"
The corners of his eyes wrinkled. Then he hobbled back to the edge of the walkway.
"News, I have. If interested, you are," he said without looking back. "News of Thule."
Artoo whistled sharply.
Amidala felt a spasm of pain in her knuckles. She lifted her hands to see that she had been clenching her fists so fiercely that they were completely bloodless. Pins and needles rushed into her hands when she opened them.
She looked at the small Jedi's back… felt the flush of warmth that had penetrated her armor of ice with his last words… and considered just walking away. She was not ready for this.
"Angry at the Jedi? Friends once, we were."
She was not angry at the Jedi. Far from it. For all his wisdom and insightfulness, old Master Yoda was no closer to understanding her than she was herself. Perhaps that was for the best. She needed his help. She was not too proud to walk away from that.
Nor, apparently, was she cold enough.
She gathered her cloak firmly around her and moved to stand beside the diminutive elder. Beside her, Artoo whistled gaily.
"I'm glad to see you well, Senator Amidala. I had hoped you would see me on your arrival to the capital."
"I didn't want to impose myself on you. I knew you would be extremely busy."
"You're never an imposition. A visit from you is like a visit from home."
They exchanged pleasantries like two actors rehearsing well-learnt lines. When the first act was concluded, they moved onto the second.
"You were at Cartao, were you not?"
"I was indeed, your Excellency. Not long after I arrived on Coruscant, Representative Binks will return to Cartao from his sojourn in Kashyyyk."
"I spoke to the Senator himself a few days ago. He has only praises to sing of you."
"The senator is very kind."
"Kind and honest. You cannot imagine the pride I feel, seeing you fulfill the potential that only I had seen so many years ago. How far you have come since your oath-swearing as a young legislator."
"Thank you, your Excellency. You too are too kind."
"And very proud, indeed. Your labors of reconciliation are not unnoticed. I only wish to understand why you have chosen to attack privately on this matter, and not come to me in confidence."
The script had become less familiar to both of them. She followed his cue, studying his lines, both spoken and unspoken, in order to know her own.
"Perhaps I feared that confidence in you may have translated to request for approval. And with all due respect Chancellor, a refusal is something I would not have been willing to risk."
"Yes, I understand clearly now. But you need never fear disapproval from my office, Amidala. You cannot imagine how much I support your cause, the message that you spread. Gradually, it'll bear fruits in the hearts of the people of the Republic and they will once more be reminded that war is not the only way to solve a dispute."
"That is my wish, your Excellency, as you well know."
"A wish that should be fulfilled by every means possible. I only fear for the present time. For the dangers you constantly expose yourself to in these tasks."
"We are living in dangerous times, your Excellency. Times that will become even more dangerous if my message is not spread."
"Ah yes. More dangerous indeed…"
Now came her cue to begin the second act.
"So you do understand the argument to resist an immediate military offensive against Mon Calamari: at least until it is ascertained that a more diplomatic solution cannot be found?"
"Of course, I do! I am your ally here. But others will, indeed are, questioning this decision. Why show special favors to Mon Calamari? Why hold back the might of the Republic against this one world when so many others alike to it are being crushed every hour of every day? What answers then, do you suggest I give them?"
"I have none, your Excellency."
And here, the script went completely out of the window.
Palpatine looked at her with utter silence. He was not so much shocked as he was quickly calculating what her motivations were. He had expected an argument, well-rehearsed, backed up with facts and idealistic philosophies. This quick acquiescence was not in her character at all. There was something else going on here.
His silence was her cue to continue.
"The facts are undeniable. The history between Mon Calamari and the Separatists dates since before the War. The Commerce Guild was Mon Calamari's first contact with the Republic and the two have maintained strong economic and political ties since then. Mon Calamari has no personal loyalty to any world of the Republic. The odds against her ever being a true ally of the Republic are very high."
"Your opinion surprises me. I thought that you believed in diplomacy before and above any other option."
"I must be pragmatic. There are so many other worlds, Chancellor, who would be more amenable to reconciliation than one who has already turned its back on the Republic. It would be wiser, I think, to direct my energies in saving those who want to be saved."
It made excellent sense and for a moment, as she said those words, Amidala almost believed it.
Palpatine did not for one moment.
"So you have dropped your argument against the invasion?"
"Not entirely. Let it remain in the records that if a decision is ever made against an invasion on Mon Calamari, I, Senator Amidala, would willingly go and ask for peace."
"Battles are being fought every day. It might take some time before a decision is made on Mon Calamari." The warning was unmistakable.
She bowed humbly. "I leave that to your Excellency's good wisdom."
He watched her with narrowed eyes, trying and failing to see what she gained from this move. "Now you flatter me, my dear. My best decisions could not have been reached without the wisdom of my advisors, your own self included." He bent his head in a courteous bow of dismissal. "Thank you so much for your company and insight."
"Thank you, your Excellency."
The third act had concluded. As the actors rose to leave the stage, one decided that there would be an epilogue to this play.
"Forgive me for asking, but have you recently been in contact with our dear friend, young Anakin Skywalker?"
Silence.
"Of course not. He's been fighting non-stop at the front almost since the Wars began, hasn't he? He has become quite a hero in these battles."
"Yes, it would seem so."
"I spoke to him recently, before he left for Thule. He asked after your good self."
"Did he, your Excellency?"
"Yes, he did. Such a personable individual, young Skywalker. Growing up to become quite a force to be reckoned with. It would be a great pity if the Republic were to lose him."
Never had it been so hard to make a perfunctory statement.
"Yes, it would."
"The sacrifices of the Jedi…" A heavy sigh. "Thank the stars that neither of us will ever have to share in their noble burdens."
Silence.
"Have a pleasant day, milady."
"Good bye, your Excellency."
He watched her go with a satisfied smile on his face. She closed the door behind her and walked quickly down the corridor, her eyes bright and hard.
The blue image of the Jedi Master, now Republic General, flickered in time with the small 'booms' of explosions that could be heard in the background. Apparently unperturbed by the backdrop of violence, Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke calmly into the transmitter that relayed the feed to Coruscant:
"When do you want us on Mon Calamari?"
The scholarly silence of the Archivist's inner offices made it almost possible to distinguish the individual sounds and explosions that resounded from the far reaches of Thule. Across the table on which they placed the holo-transmitter, the three Jedi shared identical looks of concern.
Master Windu replied, "Twenty-four hours. But we can send another team if that becomes impossible. You look busy."
Obi-Wan grinned. "We're not. They're defusing the minefield. Thanks to Anakin, the battle ended a lot sooner than we anticipated." There was no disguising the affectionate pride in his voice. Until a few hours ago, a Republic defeat on Thule had been a foregone conclusion. "We could be on Mon Calamari in eight hours but there's a little problem. I had planned for Anakin to return to the Temple as soon as this mission is over. He needs medical treatment."
Windu asked, "What's wrong with Skywalker?"
Jocasta asked, "Is he alright?"
Yoda asked, "Hurt, is he?"
They had spoken at the same time, leaning forward anxiously in their chairs. Obi-Wan paused, taken aback, before he replied, "His mechanical hand was injured by a blaster shot from Cydon Prax. Anakin's patched it up but I've noticed it's still malfunctioning."
A simultaneous sigh of relief was shared by the other three.
"How serious is the injury?" Windu asked.
"It's functional. It certainly didn't stop Anakin from dispatching Prax effectively," Obi-Wan said wryly. "But I think it should be fixed properly as soon as possible."
Windu and Yoda exchanged meaningful glances.
Master Windu said, "Very well then, but he needs to accompany you to Mon Calamari and meet your contact first. After a few days, he returns to Coruscant. You join Knight Bant at a rendezvous point and you will team up with her for this mission. These are the co-ordinates." Windu punched the figures into the data transmitter that was hooked up to the holo-vid. "You'll land near a small town by name of Salma. Your contact is Sir Tanu, a Mon Cal and a Knight of the Order of Mon Calamari."
"Order of Mon Calamari?"
Jocasta Nu spoke up. "A legendary group of Mon Cal soldiers. They existed long before Mon Calamari was discovered by the Republic, in the old days when the Mon Cal and their sea-dwelling cousins the Quarren fought for dominion over the planet. Neither race could conquer the other; and the civil war went on for millennia. When the Commerce Guild made contact with Mon Calamari and introduced her to the Republic, they formed a strong alliance with the Quarren and tipped the balance. A truce was forced between the two races, with the Quarren barons essentially in power."
"That is why no Mon Cal has ever taken a seat in the Galactic Senate," Obi-Wan said in surprise.
"Exactly. The Quarren Isolationist League has been the only political party in Mon Calamari for millennia. The Order of Knights became become little more than a cultural traditional in modern times -- a social group that remembered the bloody days of earlier times."
"Until now," Master Windu said. "We believe that they have resurrected their old ideals and have started training, gathering arms and forming an army. Over the past few days, we've made contact with a few of them. They've made it clear that their loyalties do not lie with the Republic."
"You want us to go there and train them to overthrow the ruling party?"
The two Jedi Masters exchanged glances. Jocasta Nu adjusted her bun.
"Not precisely," Master Windu said at last. "Primarily, your mission is that of espionage. You will be given identities as refugees from a world invaded by the Separatists. That would enable you to move a little freely within the populace. You will observe the Knights and the strength of their army; you will find out what you can about the strength of the Mon Calamari Army and how closely they are controlled by Separatist leaders. You will find out the loyalties of the people. And you will report all this back to us."
Obi-Wan nodded. Then he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Masters but I don't understand. What exactly are we looking for?"
Yoda tugged on his ear. "Know you will, when you find it. Until then, follow orders you shall."
Was it their imagination or was there a look of annoyance on Obi-Wan's face before he bowed? "Of course." His voice sounded humble enough, though.
"There's one more thing," Windu told Obi-Wan now. "Senator Amidala might be on Mon Calamari shortly. The Jedi are supporting her. Watch over her from afar and protect her if you need to. But do not make contact with her. Remember: nobody outside this room is aware of this mission."
"I see," Obi-Wan said slowly. "And when will she arrive?"
"We're not sure. As a matter of fact, we're not completely sure she will be on Mon Calamari."
"There, she will be," Yoda said firmly.
Obi-Wan looked worried.
"Concerned about your Padawan and Senator Amidala, you are."
A boom distorted the signal so it could not be ascertained if the expression that had hovered briefly on Obi-Wan's face was annoyance, pain or worry. "Forgive me, Masters. Anakin and Senator Amidala… they have a complicated history. Perhaps while I am on Mon Calamari, it would be best if he remained in Coruscant or went on to a mission of his own. He has proved himself more than capable in tactics and leadership."
Once more, Windu and Yoda exchanged meaningful glances.
Yoda said carefully, "Right indeed, you are. Long has young Skywalker been in the battlefields. Chosen One, he is, but a young Padawan he remains. A few days of healing, of calm introspection, he needs. A short respite, he will get in the Temple. "
"And afterwards?"
There was silence.
"Won't it even be awkward entering and re-entering Mon Calamari in its present situation?"
"An appropriate cover, you will devise."
Obi-Wan pressed on. "As a matter of fact, Anakin is not entirely suited for this mission. He's becoming too popular to be effective undercover."
"Same problem, some may say you have. Well trained, you both are. An excuse, that cannot be."
Obi-Wan looked unconvinced.
Yoda's eyes were stern on the young Master. "Run away from his fears, young Skywalker cannot continue to do."
"Anakin doesn't run away from anything," Obi-Wan said at once. "His prowess in the battles has been nothing short of remarkable, yet still he has kept his soul. He does not like fighting, he never will, and he has rebelled vocally against the idea of Jedi as soldiers. But he does his duty and more every time."
"Greater fears, there are, than death."
Even through millions of lightyears of static and the sounds of a dying battle from Thule, Obi-Wan's sigh was audible. "I know. It's just that… Masters, Anakin is trying. He's changing. It doesn't seem fair to test him too quickly."
"Understand, we do," Yoda said softly. "Not lightly, will a decision be made."
"Thank you, Masters." There was no denying the skepticism in Obi-Wan's voice.
There was an uncomfortable pause.
Yoda said finally. "To your battle return, and we to our own. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Masters."
The blue image flickered and vanished.
Jocasta Nu stood. "If I can be of further assistance…"
"Of course," murmured Windu, watching her go. When he turned back, Yoda's eyes were on him.
"Tell, I can. Doubtful of this mission, you are."
Windu looked at the older Jedi squarely. "Yes, I am. I admit that I am as confused as Obi-Wan of its purpose. What new information could we possibly get? Senator Tundra Dowmeia was never Palpatine's ally. There's certainly no mystery there. Shouldn't we leave the senators to decide the best option to take here?"
"According to Dooku, in control of the Senate, is the Sith."
Master Windu paused, apparently taken aback by the other's argument, but he recovered quickly. "You believe Dooku's assertion?"
"According to you, a close eye on the Senate, we Jedi should keep."
"Perhaps in this case, I happen to agree with the opinion to invade," Windu admitted. "It's very unlikely that Mon Calamari could ever come back to the Republic of her own free will."
Yoda looked at the younger Jedi with sad eyes. "Sense it, do you not? Mon Calamari's importance?" At Windu's surprised look, Yoda's eyes turned earnest. "Look into the Force. Does it not tell you?"
The younger Master closed his eyes and a look of intense concentration passed over his face. Yoda waited, eagerness written over his own wrinkled features.
A few moments later, Windu opened his eyes again. He shook his head.
Yoda sighed.
Windu said simply, "All I sense is that we are about to commit to this reconnaissance mission, two Generals and an exceptional Padawan from the dwindling number of Jedi soldiers that fought every day at the battle front."
"Your mind that is, not the Force!" Yoda said sharply.
The other shrugged. "I know, Master Yoda. The Force told me nothing." Before Yoda could speak again, Windu shook his head, forestalling Yoda. "But it told you."
Windu stood up and bowed low before the oldest Jedi. "And that is enough for me and for every Jedi in the Republic."
Yoda's eyes darkened with grief.