Opening her eyes, Ahsoka awoke. Turning to the right, she saw Lux next to her, his arm holding her close. She smiled as she got up and moved to get dressed.
"Forget my misgivings, that was amazing," she heard Lux as he got up as well. She smirked at the sight of his bare chest, being rather muscular for a boy his age, no doubt a result of the training he had kept up since the Onderon Rebellion.
"I thought so too," Ahsoka said. After they got dressed, they walked out of the apartment, opening the door to a very surprised Padme.
"Ahsoka, I didn't know you were here," Padme said. "Did you…?"
"Yes, we have been dating for two months, it was going to happen sooner or later," Ahsoka answered. "Just don't tell Anakin, I don't want him to learn yet."
"So you want to tell him of Lux's proposal yourself?" Padme asked.
"I haven't, yet," said Lux.
"And as much as I would love to say yes, there isn't much time for a wedding right now," Ahsoka finished. "But that isn't why you came here."
"No, I came to talk to Lux about what happened on Nelvaan," Padme answered.
"What is Nelvaan?" asked Lux.
"It's an isolated forest planet," said Ahsoka. "The perfect spot for more Separatist cruelty." She then went on to recount what had happened on the planet.
"That is horrible," said Lux when she finished her story.
"What is even worse is that there is no way for the Nelvaanians to recover on their own," Padme said. "They have yet to invent the wheel, much less advanced medicine. Unfortunately, with the war on, there are little resources I can get the senate to spare in order to deliver the help they sorely need. And the equipment and qualified doctors are extremely expensive. Bail Organa gave me a list of doctors who could help and a large sum of money to pay them yesterday but it won't be enough."
"I will see what I can spare," Lux said, eager to help more victims of Separatist crimes. Ahsoka smiled, it was nice to know the man she loved was willing to help.
Hyperspace, transport ship, two days ago…
After successfully giving the impression of a father grieving at his daughter's death, Skirata joined Obi-Wan on the transport that would take them back to Coruscant.
"Is she safe now?" Obi-Wan asked, confident they were no longer being watched.
"Yes, though she is still a bit angry with me judging by the message I got from Ordo," Skirata answered.
"Well, I hope that conversation turns out well," Obi-Wan replied.
"Thank you, now it is back to business," said Skirata, referring to Plo Koon's request that he help open up discussion with the Nite Owls. While the Republic had restricted travel to Kalavela after it was revealed that Darth Maul had taken control of the planet, they were still reluctant to take military action against Death Watch. After the plot where Death Watch attempted to trick the Republic into invading in an effort to gain support, Obi-Wan realized it would be hard to dislodge Darth Maul without local help. The thing was, the only organized resistance to Death Watch rule was the splinter group the Nite Owls, led by Bo-Katan Kryze. While allying with them was the best option, Palpatine was afraid that supporting one terrorist group over another was a bad idea, even if they had helped Obi-Wan and refused to talk with them. The council, recognizing his concerns, but also knowing their options for solving the situation were limited, did not know what to do. Upon learning that Kal Skirata had a pair of sons in the unit, however, they learned of a way to contact the Nite Owls. Ahsoka had informed him of their request and he agreed. Now that the situation with his daughter was resolved, he now had to talk to his sons. After a minute, the communication line was opened.
"Dad?" asked Tor, wearing Mandalorian armor.
"Hello, Tor, it has been a while," Skirata said to his son.
"I am glad to see you but Ijaat and I are in the middle of something," said Tor.
"I understand but this will help you and your new friends immeasurably," said Kal. "I need to meet you and Ijaat in two days on the Wheel." The Wheel was a circular space station in the Besh Gorgon system. The station was built sixty-two years before the start of the clone wars. Originally built as a spice refinery, it had started to branch into the casino business. Declaring neutrality, it was the perfect place for people to meet covertly.
"I will tell Ijaat and Bo-Katan," said Tor. "Just be sure it is worthwhile, she will kill us if it isn't."
"It will be," said Kal. "I will tell you more in person."
One day later, after Kal and Obi-Wan made their report about Ruusaan's apparent death, they were taking the Aay'han to the Wheel. Plo Koon iniatially wanted to come but Obi-Wan reasoned that he would be a better choice given his familiarity with the Mandalorians and the Council agreed. Ahsoka was now helping Padme raise money to help the Nelvaanians who had been mutated by Durd's experiments, so she couldn't come either.
After landing on the station, Obi-Wan and Skirata headed to the spacer's cantina near the docking bay. They quickly spot a pair of men wearing Mandalorian armor. One had a blue helmet, the other had a green one. One of them walked up to Skirata.
"Dad?" asked the green one.
"Ijaat?" replied Skirata.
"Nice to see you again," said Ijaat as he hugged his father. "You didn't mention you were bringing a friend."
"This is a friend of mine that can help the Nite Owls reclaim Kalavela," said Skirata.
"Great, then he can tell Bo herself," said the blue one. "She is waiting at a Holonet uplink in our ship. She wants to be sure you aren't wasting her time."
The two awakened Mandalorians led their father and Obi-Wan to their Komrk/class fighter/transport. The multipurpose starship had become the most common ship used by Death Watch and later the Nite Owls. Stepping onto the ship, the group made their way to the cockpit. Ijaat activated the transmitter and after several seconds, the hologram lit up with Bo-Katan's image.
"What did your father have to say?" she asked.
"I needed a way to contact you," Obi-Wan interjected.
"Kenobi?" asked the hologram. "What are you doing with their father?"
"I have been working as a trainer for clones for a decade," said Kal. "I met the General a while ago and he wanted to get in touch with you, Lady Kryze."
"I always hated that title," said Bo-Katan. "I am surprised by you Kenobi. I would think you would want to kill Maul after what he has done to both of us."
"I do," said Obi-Wan. "Unfortunately, not even the involvement of a Sith Lord was enough to convince the Senate to do more than attempt an embargo. Most just see it as the civil war of a neutral planet. The chancellor has refused to authorize help unless the Nite Owls align with the Republic."
"How opportunistic of him," replied Bo-Katan.
"I don't like this political blackmail either but it is the only way I can help you," said Obi-Wan. "He has sent observers to ensure that we don't provide substantial aid to you or anyone else without him knowing or approving of it. The head of intelligence is in a lot of trouble thanks to us and he is looking for any way to hurt us. What aid I can provide without him noticing won't be enough."
"I can't believe I am saying this but that politician is right," said Kal. "You wouldn't have asked the general for help unless you were unable to kill Maul and his henchmen on your own. Unless the Republic has a local ally to help them, their task force is going to stall out and get absolutely nowhere. And with the rest of the war, the occupation force of a neutral planet isn't going to rank very high on supplies." Bo-Katan was surprised, and briefly pondered the statement he had made.
"I will talk to my lieutenants and ask for their opinion on it," she said. "I should have a response for you tomorrow."
"We will be here," said Obi-Wan as the transmission stopped. After the end of the conversation, Kal turned to his sons.
"I found Ruusaan," said Kal. "Sit down, this will take a while to explain."
Sorry for taking so long. I figured that Bo-Katan would also have a noble title. I hope my reason why their hasn't been much intervention on Mandalore makes sense.