watch?v=SJkj3DgW8Y0 - Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Set it Off
AAAHHH! I'm so sorry! I meant to get this chapter out on time, I really did! But it was the last week of school and I was super busy with exams and preparing for summer work! I'm really sorry guys! (please forgive me I'll try not to do it again)
I'll see if I can update twice today to make up for last weeks missed update. And I actually mean it this time, promise. :)
I don't own Star Wars or the song.
~StrongandFree
Camilla reluctantly trudged alongside Captain Rex and Commander Cody. After (once again) refusing to go to a dinner with Padme, her friend politely suggested (ordered) that she go with Skywalker and Kenobi on an escort mission. She was still dealing with politicians, but at least she didn't have to dress up for it.
"Reporting for escort duty, General," Skywalker announced.
"Anakin, am I glad to see you," Kenobi sighed, shoulders sagging.
"You sound tired," Skywalker commented.
"The peaceful ways of the locals… wore me out a bit," Kenobi confessed, walking towards the Senators' ship.
Camilla frowned. "Wait, but aren't you known for your negotiating skills?"
"Am I?" Kenobi asked.
"Yeah, aren't you usually called in to keep the peace? Why are you, of all people, suddenly tired of peace?"
"Not now, Songbird," Rex sighed.
"I'm asking a valid question!" Camilla protested, "I'm curious!"
"Sometimes it's none of your business," Rex snapped. Camilla pursed her lips, but didn't pursue the matter. Everyone seemed to be on edge.
"The safety of Duchess Satine is of the utmost importance," Kenobi explained, "The Death Watch will stop at nothing to assassinate her before she pleads her case to the Senate."
"Artoo, use your scanners to probe for any suspicious droid activity," Skywalker ordered. The blue and white droid beeped affirmatively.
"Anything else, sir?" Rex asked.
"No, that will be all," Kenobi dismissed. Camilla obediently raised her hand as the other men walked away. "What is it, Songbird?" Kenobi asked, sounded very agitated all of a sudden.
"Where do you want me?" she asked.
Kenobi frowned, thinking. "Stay by me," he finally decided. "If there's a spy on board, then you may be able to pick them out."
"What makes you say that?" Camilla crossed her arms and frowned.
"You're a spy, aren't you?" Skywalker pointed out, slightly teasing.
"That's not how that works," Camilla protested, "Just because I was trained to be a spy doesn't mean that I can walk anywhere and automatically point out another spy."
Kenobi's communicator beeped, cutting her off. "Yes?"
"The duchess and her retinue requests your presence."
Kenobi sighed. "Very well." He turned and walked into the elevator. Camilla sighed as well and trailed after Rex, leaning against the elevator wall.
"I sense some anxiety from you about the duchess," Skywalker commented, "She couldn't be in safer hands."
"Yes, I know," Kenobi said, rubbing his beard thoughtfully.
"Then why-"
"Never mind," Kenobi interrupted, "It's… all in the past." Camilla raised an eyebrow at the Jedi. It didn't take a Jedi to see that he was distressed.
"Oh, so you're close to her?" Skywalker pressed.
"I knew her," Kenobi stated sternly, "A long time ago." The group was plunged into an awkward silence as the elevator opened and they walked down the hall. Just like when Skywalker's tantrums put everyone on edge, Kenobi's irritation added an extra layer of awkwardness. Kenobi gestured for Skywalker and Camilla to follow him into the Duchess' room when they arrived.
"... stay neutral in this war," the Duchess was saying as the small group entered the room.
"And yet some might argue that the strongest defense is a swift and decisive offense," Kenobi argued. The Duchess frowned and looked down at him with disappointment. Camilla was surprised to see that Kenobi almost looked embarrassed at her disappointment.
"You are quite the general now, aren't you Master Kenobi?" the Duchess said coldly.
"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness," Kenobi quickly covered, "I meant no disrespect."
"Really?" the Duchess asked dryly, "Senators, I presume you are acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-Wan Kenobi." Camilla snorted and rubbed her nose quickly to try and pass it off as a sneeze.
"Your Highness is- too kind," Kenobi stiffly said, shooting Camilla a brief look.
"You're right, I am." Camilla had to cough this time, trying very hard not to snicker. She probably would have burst out laughing had Skywalker not been standing right next to her. It was still a possibility for her to be impaled 'accidentally'.
"Allow me to introduce my fellow Jedi, Anakin Skywalker," Kenobi quickly changed the topic. "And our… informer, Songbird." While Skywalker greeted the Duchess with a bow, Camilla simply nodded her head, still trying very hard not to smile.
The Duchess acknowledged Skywalker and shot Camilla a curious look. "I remember a time when the Jedi were not generals, but peacekeepers."
"We are protectors, Highness. Yours at the moment. We fight for peace," Skywalker disagreed. Camilla blinked. How did that even work? She thought that someone classified as a peacekeeper went around trying not to kill people. Yet the Jedi actively engaged in battles? Did that actually classify as keeping peace?
Apparently the Duchess had a similar train of thought, because she laughed. "What an amusing contradiction."
"What Master Skywalker means is that we are acting at the behest of Your Highness," Kenobi defended, "To protect you from the Death Watch and the Separatists who don't share your neutral point of view."
"I asked for no such thing," the Duchess snapped.
"That may be so, but a majority of your court did," Kenobi pushed, taking a few more steps forward.
"I don't remember you as one to hide behind excuses," the Duchess glared at Kenobi.
"I don't remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities," Kenobi retaliated. The pair continued to glare at each other.
"OK!" Camilla exclaimed, clapping her hands together to diffuse the tension in the room. "I hate to be the peacekeeper, but could we please save the arguments for another time? There's two sides to every argument, and we don't necessarily need to battle them out right now."
"Hypocrite," Skywalker scoffed. Camilla forced a smile to remain on her face as she discreetly attempted to step on his foot.
"I'm certain we all agree with the informant," the Twi'lek Senator added, picking up on Camilla's attempt to calm to room. "Duchess Satine and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every argument."
"Indeed," another Senator quickly agreed.
"Now, in regard to the Senate vote, we think-"
The Duchess interrupted the Twi'lek Senator. "I think a multitude makes discord, not good counsel."
"There may be two sides to every argument, but the Duchess only prefers hers," Kenobi muttered.
"Isn't that a given for anyone?" Camilla pointed out. "You're both shutting each other down."
"How is this situation any different from when you argue with Captain Rex?" Skywalker asked incredulously.
"Oh no, we listen to each other," Camilla disagreed, "We just hate admitting when the other person is right so we refuse to back down."
"That's worse than what Obi Wan and the Duchess are doing right now," Skywalker sighed, "I don't see the logic in your argument."
Camilla shrugged dismissively. "To be fair, we don't argue about whether or not an entire planet should be involved in a war."
"Sometimes it's not the decision of the planet," Kenobi said, still obviously steaming from his argument with the Duchess. "And in this case, a Republic military presence is the only sure defense against the Separatists." Camilla sighed. So that was still the topic.
Unfortunately, the Duchess had overheard. "Even extremists can be reasoned with." She stood and angrily began walking towards Kenobi.
"Actually-"
Whatever Camilla had been about to say was cut off when Kenobi started stalking toward the Duchess as well. "Perhaps, if one can be heard over the clanking of their battle droids."
"The sarcasm of a soldier," the Duchess scoffed.
"The delusion of a dreamer," Kenobi said through gritted teeth. Camilla pinched the bridge of her nose. This all seemed like a very blown up lover's spat. Probably not.
"Duchess, Master Jedi," one of the Senators quickly said, "It's been a long trip. I think we could all use a little rest and refreshment." Skywalker took a drink he had picked up somewhere, looking very amused with the whole situation.
"Here, here," the Twi'lek Senator agreed, "Now, let's put aside the politics until after dinner."
"Fine!" Kenobi and the Duchess snapped at the same time. The Duchess pushed past Kenobi and stormed out of the room. Camilla sighed. Lover's spat confirmed.
Camilla mindlessly trailed after the two Jedi as they discussed Kenobi's past with the Duchess.
"They sent bounty hunter after us," Kenobi was saying. "We were always on the run."
"Sounds romantic," Skywalker commented. Camilla laughed when Kenobi sent Skywalker a look that could only be described as an urge to kill. She shut up when he sent one her way as well.
"A civil war killed most of Satine's people," Kenobi continued to explain as the walked down the hallway, "hence her aversion to violence." Camilla tuned back out of the conversation. She wasn't all that interested in romance stories. They were way too cliche. She followed the Jedi into a room and leaned against the door when it shut.
"As Master Yoda says, a Jedi must not have attachments," Skywalker said quietly. Camilla immediately became interested.
"Yes," Kenobi agreed.
"Why is that?" Camilla asked.
"It's part of the Jedi Code," Kenobi explained.
Camilla frowned. "But why? You're trained by someone for how many years and you're expected to not get attached? That's stupid! What about all the soldiers you fight with?"
"Attachments cloud our judgement," Kenobi sighed, trying to be patient with the redhead, "We can not make an accurate decision on the battlefield if we're worried for those around us."
"But you do worry about those around you," Camilla pointed out, "Otherwise you wouldn't be at the front lines, fighting with your men. You obviously care for their lives and want to make decisions based on what will benefit them. That doesn't count as attachment?"
"Not… technically," Skywalker said uncertainly. Camilla scoffed and crossed her arms. What a stupid rule.
Kenobi's comlink beeped before the conversation could continue. "Yes Captain?"
"General, there's something wrong with Skywalker's astromech," Captain Rex stated, "Scared him real good, sir. I've also lost contact with two of my men." Camilla frowned. There could be an assassin on board.
"I'm on my way down to assist you," Kenobi said immediately, standing.
"I'll go, Master," Skywalker said, "If there's something dangerous down there, the men and I can handle it." He quickly left the room.
"Can I-"
"No," Kenobi interrupted Camilla. The redhead sighed. "I still need you to keep an eye on the Senators, just in case one of them has hired an assassin. Did you notice anything suspicious earlier?"
"Funnily enough I didn't notice much except for a lover's spat," Camilla deadpanned.
Kenobi sent a glare her way before storming out of the room. Camilla allowed herself to smirk before following after the Jedi Master.
"I beg your pardon, Senators," Kenobi greeted, entering the room where the Senators were eating. "Our men are investigating a situation below deck. I respectfully ask you to wait here until it's settled."
"Please, General, sit with us," the Twi'lek Senator invited, "The food is delicious!"
Kenobi inclined his head and reluctantly sat at the end of the table. "Thank you, Senator."
"What about you, informer?" one of the Senators asked, raising his glass in Camilla's direction. "Would you care to sit with us?"
"I don't think that'd be proper," Camilla declined, trying to be respectful.
"Nonsense," the Senator chuckled, "Please, sit." He smiled.
Camilla's eyes narrowed slightly. He had the smile of a confident man. Someone who had just found out their plans were on track. "I'm sorry, Senator, but I'm afraid I don't know your name."
"Merrik, madame," he continued smiling, "Tal Merrik." Camilla hummed and remained standing.
Kenobi's comlink went off a few seconds later. "Please excuse me." He stood and turned his back on the table, speaking quietly into his communicator. Camilla glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, keeping the Senators in her main field of vision.
"Is everything alright, General?" Merrik inquired.
"Hopefully it's nothing," Kenobi responded.
"What's gone wrong now?" Camilla sighed, pulling out her blaster.
Kenobi's comlink went off again. "Obi Wan! There's assassin probes down here! One made it up the lift!"
"Quickly! Secure the lifts!" Kenobi ordered, igniting his lightsaber and running to the door. The door opened and a large droid crawled through the opening, hitting the guards against the wall and knocking them out.
Camilla fired at the droid twice. Her shots hit two of the droid's legs and stopped it just shy of the Senators. Kenobi vaulted over the droid and stabbed it in the eye. The droid collapsed and fell off the table.
"Well that was lame," Camilla scoffed. Then multiple mini-droids started popping out of the larger droid's head. "Oh come on!" The Senators screamed and started running frantically around the room. Camilla scowled in irritation and began to step on the mini-droids, firing at those that got too close to any of the panicking Senators.
She was about to fire at one when something caught her eye. One of the mini-droids charged at Merrik and the Rodian Senator, and jumped over Merrik to get to the Rodian Senator. Camilla's eyes narrowed as she shot the droid out of the air. Kenobi and the Duchess finished off the last of the mini-droids successfully.
Camilla eyed one of the droids suspiciously. If these ones started spitting out more droids she was going to lose it. It was like a clown car. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw one still moving. She quickly grabbed it and picked it up, examining it.
At the same time, Skywalker entered the room and handed Kenobi a data pad. "One of our distinguished Senators appears to be a traitor."
"So our theory was right," Kenobi agreed.
Camilla cleared her throat and stepped up from behind Kenobi. "I think I know who our wolf is. And I know how to expose them."
The Jedi raised their eyebrows at the confident redhead. "Go on," Kenobi consented.
Minutes later, Kenobi approached the Twi'lek Senator. He had covered the droid instead of just holding it in front of the Senators like Camilla had suggested. (He probably wanted it to be a dramatic revelation.)
"Ah! Dessert!" the Senator exclaimed. "Excellent!"
"This morsel might prove too much even for the legendary appetite of Orn Free Taa," Kenobi said, "Enjoy." He took the cloth off of the droid's case, exposing it for the table. Camilla rolled her eyes when all of the Senators gasped. Was the dramatic reveal really necessary?
"On second thought," the Twi'lek Senator frowned, "It wouldn't agree with me."
"My informant has a theory that our little friend will attack the Duchess and anyone who defends her," Kenobi explained, "Anyone, that is, except the traitor who programmed it."
"Take it away! Please!" Taa begged.
"Obi Wan! This line of questioning borders on torture!" the Duchess protested.
"It's under control," Camilla stated as Kenobi made his way around the table, "It's only torture if you're causing physical and lasting mental harm to the person in question."
"Are you really going to rely on her words?" Merrik chuckled nervously. "It's obvious that your informant is a spy, General! Can you trust her word?"
Camilla turned her steely gaze to the Senator. "You seemed quite willing for me to sit at your table earlier, Merrik. Feeling nervous?"
Kenobi held the droid in front of Merrik. "It seems to like you, Senator Merrik." He smirked triumphantly at the nervous man.
"Really, General, you're quite clever." Merrik slapped the case out of Kenobi's hand, sending the droid flying through the air and onto the table. Camilla pulled out her blaster and fired at it. Her shot missed and hit the rim of a plate the droid was crawling across, sending it flying through the air. Kenobi backhanded it with a platter and knocked it into the service droid.
While Kenobi was finishing off the droid, Merrik grabbed the Duchess and pointed his gun to her head. Camilla aimed her weapon at the Merrik's head. She never missed twice in a row.
"Don't!" Kenobi grabbed her arm and forced it upwards just as the doors closed. Camilla's shot went into the ceiling.
She immediately turned on him. "I was aiming for Merrik!" she protested.
"You would have hit the Duchess!" Kenobi snapped, already running after Merrik.
"There's no way I would have missed!" Camilla argued, following the Jedi down the hallway. "His head is too big!" They came to a split in the hallway.
"Blast!" Kenobi cursed. "We don't know which way he went!"
Camilla shot him a strange look. Then she rolled her eyes and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hey! Has anyone seen a Senator pointing a gun at the Duchess' head?! He's really hard to miss!" Everyone halted in their activities and shook their heads. Camilla put her hands on her hips. "Really? No one saw the very obvious guy with a gun pointing it at a very important person? Not one person saw that?" Everyone shook their heads again. "That's a lot of eyes doing nothing."
"Oh for Force's sake…" Kenobi muttered, "You take the left and I'll take the right. Head to an escape pod. Do not let Merrik get away!" He dashed down the right corridor.
Camilla followed his lead and took off down the left corridor. How did Merrik get so far in such a short period of time? He was dragging another person for crying out loud! How was he able to move faster than a kriffing Jedi? And how did nobody see him running around with a gun?
Her thoughts were halted when she darted around a corner and immediately had to scramble backwards. A shot missed her by an inch; she could feel the heat from the laser as it whizzed past her face. She yanked her blaster out and somersaulted around the corner again, ready to fire at the unlucky bastard that tried to kill her.
"Songbird?"
Camilla lowered her blaster. "Captain?" She blinked in confusion. Then she scowled. "What the hell? Did you seriously just try to kill me?"
Captain Rex lowered his blasters as well. "General Skywalker told us to be alert and shoot at anything suspicious."
"How am I suspicious?" Camilla demanded, standing and putting her hands on her hips.
"You're the only person moving quickly; I thought it could have been the traitor trying to get away. It's a shame I missed," Rex said, only half joking.
Camilla's scowl deepened. "You knew it was me!" she accused, "You were trying to shoot me!"
Rex shrugged, neither confirming nor denying her accusation. "I'm doing my job. Don't you have something you should be doing?"
"Captain, I swear-"
"Way too much."
"Hey!" They were interrupted by something crashing into the ship, sending its occupants stumbling. The lights flickered and went out. Camilla and Rex exchanged a glance and simultaneously raised their blasters again. "I hear droids," Camilla stated. "Should we stay and guard the escape pod?"
"You're asking me for orders now? Are you suddenly willing to listen?" Camilla shot Rex a glare. He shook his head. "We make our way to the General," he decided.
"Right. Stay by the Jedi. Good idea," Camilla agreed. The pair took off in the direction of the droids' footsteps. After rounding a few corners, they had to skid to a halt. They ducked behind the support beams of the hallways as multiple droids began firing at them.
"How good is your aim?" Rex asked, leaning out for a few seconds to fire at the droids.
"Nine out of ten on a bad day," Camilla answered, hitting down two droids.
"You play bait then."
Camilla frowned at the Captain. "Seriously? How's your aim?"
"Ten out of ten," Rex replied. "Believe me, I won't miss these clankers."
Camilla grumbled a few choice words under her breath. "You better not get me fried, Captain, or I'll haunt you forever!" she threatened. She rolled into the middle of the hallway, took up a sniper's position and started shooting as fast as she could. Predictably, the droids focused their fire on her and ignored Rex, who immediately stood and began rapidly firing into the droids' ranks.
Camilla leaned to one side when a shot nearly hit her shoulder and nearly lost her balance. Her hand left her blaster and steadied her body against the floor. Steady but wide open. The last two droids were quickly felled by Rex's blasters.
"Well that was fun," Camilla huffed, standing and brushing herself off. She gave Rex a half-hearted glare. "Next time, you're playing bait."
Rex scoffed. "Whatever you say, pyrohead." His comlink went off, saving him from any verbal lashes Camilla might have given him. "General?"
"I assume you ran into droids as well?" Skywalker asked.
"Yes sir, but they're all taken care of," Rex responded.
"Good. We think we got them all but we're still going to do a sweep of the ship before landing. Meet me in the hangar bay in half an hour."
"Yes sir."
"Oh, and if you see Songbird along the way, you might as well bring her along. I think Senator Amidala would be upset if we left her on the ship."
"I'm not against it, sir," Rex shot a look at Camilla, whose foot had started tapping in irritation. "I'll meet you in the hangar."
As soon as the call disconnected, Camilla hit Rex upside the head. "It's rude to purposely ditch someone," she said, scowling as usual.
"It's also rude to hit someone in the head," Rex rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah, well, now we're even."
No other droids were found, so Camilla and Rex made their way to the hangar just as the ship was preparing to land.
"I see you found Songbird," Skywalker commented when they arrived.
Camilla crossed her arms. "It's rude to purposely try to ditch someone, you know."
Skywalker raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. "When we arrive, I believe Senator Amidala wants to speak with you. She'll be waiting at her apartment."
"Oh good, I want to talk to her as well," Camilla kept her arms crossed but her face significantly brightened.
When the ship landed, Camilla followed the Jedi out and awkwardly stood behind them as they greeted the Chancellor. She discreetly eyed the weapons that the guards were holding, wondering why they were all set to stun. Hadn't they been told that the Duchess' safety was of the utmost importance? Why were their weapons only at stun?
She was shaken from her thoughts when the Duchess caressed Kenobi's face. "It hides too much of your handsome face," she laughed and walked away.
Camilla blinked in surprise. "Wait, so are they done fighting now?" No one answered her. "Were they a couple? Is the lover's spat over now?"
"Shut up, Songbird," Rex sighed.
"But I'm curious now," Camilla complained. "What's going on? What happened to calm them both down? I thought that they were still fighting."
Rex sighed again as the redhead prattled on. Why was he the one who always had to put up with her?
There we go! :) Another chapter done! Hopefully I'll be able to get the next one up later today or early tomorrow. (I really am sorry about missing my update time)
Anyways! I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.
Please comment and let me know what I could be doing better - I appreciate all of the feedback you guys have given me so far. :)
Thanks again!
~StrongandFree
Update: I actually won't be able to get the next chapter out this week or the week after. :( So sorry, but I'll be out of the country volunteering for a week or two and I won't be able to update. When I get back though I'll have another chapter and maybe a chapter that would work as an OVA-episody-thing :D Keep your fingers crossed (I'm crossing mine too XD) but hopefully I'll be able to do a double update when I get back. Thanks for understanding! :)
~StrongandFree
