The council were deeply disturbed and Jupiter possibly most of all. It had been several weeks since the brief Hondo incident and Jupiter had returned to Coruscant to perform more of her Jedi duties, helping to train the younglings and maintain the archives as well as sit on the council, however they had recently received a distressing message from the Duchess Satine of Mandalore. Satine was a new friend of Jupiter's, however she felt already rather close with the duchess of their similar dispositions and instant liking to one another, so the news that her message brought was grave indeed.
"You summoned me, masters?" The council had already summoned Obi-Wan to the main holocaster chamber where only Jupiter, Master Yoda and Master Mundi stood. Without a word Jupiter began to recording where the duchess appeared, kneeling on the ground with a voice full of urgency and desperation.
"This is a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi. I've lost Mandalore. My people have been massacred and Almec is now the prime minister. I can't explain everything now but Almec has the support of the crime families. I need your help." The recording ended with other figures appearing, Death Watch warriors surrounding the duchess who graciously surrendered. That was where the recording was then cut off.
"Your thoughts on this, Master Kenobi." Yoda turned to Obi-Wan and Jupiter lifted her head, curious to know what her old friend would have to say.
"Satine has been at odds with the Death Watch for years and according to a report from Padawan Tano, they're no longer in league with the Separatists. If there was a takeover on Mandalore, it was most likely an independent act caused by the Death Watch alone." He revealed, making Jupiter bite down on her lip slightly, knowing full well that this was not good news from the perspective that the Republic would not help if there is no Separatists to oppose.
"Without involvement from the Separatists, this is an internal affair for the Mandalorians." Master Mundi reasoned diplomatically. "I'm afraid we cannot help."
"We cannot just hand Mandalore over to these crime families and let Satine become a martyr." Obi-Wan protested however Master Mundi lifted his hand serenely.
"I'm afraid her decision to keep Mandalore neutral makes this situation difficult."
"Why should it?" Jupiter finally spoke up, the masters now turning to look at her as she steeled her gaze, looking at each of them individually. "We are peacekeepers, the protectors of innocents and at this moment, the people of Mandalore are being threatened. What is our purpose as Jedi if not to lend aid and bring hope to those who desperately need it in these dark times?" She reasoned, her feelings becoming more resolved in the matter the more she spoke. "We do not have to go as representatives of the Republic in this matter, we could go merely as diplomats and try to resume the peace. I will gladly go myself if that is what is needed. The Clone Army does not have to be involved." However Master Mundi was already shaking his head.
"Without the consent of the Senate, we will not be able to offer our help without there being severe consequences." Jupiter's eyes narrowed and a dangerous aura began to surround her.
"Since when did politics become more important than people?" Sensing that Jupiter was coming close to losing her balance, Master Yoda intervened, waving his hand to signal that Jupiter should try to regain control of her emotions before she had another episode, something that quite recently had become frequent. Her headaches have become worse, making her more irritable and therefore, her emotions were greatly out of equilibrium.
"Understand your feelings I do, but to take action, support from the Republic Senate we will need."
"You know what the Senate will decide. They will not send aid to a neutral system." Obi-Wan reasoned however the decision had already seemed to be made.
"At this time, nothing more can we do." Jupiter caught Obi-Wan's eyes and she could already sense the concern and unease that he felt. She suspected that he was about to do something rather rash and foolish, much like Anakin would. Of course he would go to save Satine. With a sinking feeling in her chest, Jupiter came to realise that even after all this time, Obi-Wan still loved her as he did when he was a boy. A crushing sensation pressed against her and the air trembled around her as the headache which was causing her so much agony grew worse. "Jupiter…Jupiter! Calm, you must be."
"I am not angry, Master Yoda." Jupiter exhaled a little breathlessly, trying to move past the pain but even as she gripped her head tightly, it only grew worse. "I am just in a lot of pain. The Force, there is a great disturbance in the Force. I can sense growing darkness…misery…rage. You do not understand the pure rage I can sense."
"Easy now my dear, perhaps you need to sit down." Obi-Wan was instantly by her side, helping her to sit back in a chair as Master Mundi and Yoda approached, Jupiter's fingers digging into her scalp as she wanted to sob from the agony. "When did this start happening? Why have you not told me before?" He demanded to know however Jupiter only managed a weak smile.
"I did not wish to concern you, Obi. They pass in a few moments, I will be alright soon enough."
"Perhaps you should be submitted into the medical wing for an examination." Master Mundi suggested. "These afflictions have been plaguing you for some time and have been causing you great trouble." Jupiter was touched by the concern in his voice, hearing Master Yoda also speak in agreement to Master Mundi.
"Something under the surface, troubling you deeply it is." He reasoned, giving a pointed look at Jupiter. "Stress from the war, maybe, or something else, it could be."
"Thank you masters for your heart warming concern, but I have already submitted myself to the medical wing for examination no less than six times. They have not been able to find anything wrong at all, in fact they say I am in perfect condition of health." Jupiter informed them as finally, the intense aching in her head wore off, receding to a mere dull throb at the back of her head. "They say that it may simply be stress from the war and the strain making my mind weary, so they have asked that I rest plenty and meditate to try and find solace and peace."
"And does that help?" Jupiter considered lying, however when she glanced into Obi-Wan's clear orbs, she exhaled.
"No. Nothing helps." Standing back up on her feet, Jupiter bowed her head. "I will be alright, it is manageable for now. Good day masters." And with that, Jupiter hurriedly left, massaging her temple as she went.
"Jupiter!" Obi-Wan called after her, quickly looking left and right before spotting her. "Jupiter! Wait a moment!" Stopping in her tracks as Obi-Wan reached her, Jupiter looked up patiently at him as he held her arm gently with his fingertips, subconsciously barely applying pressure for fear of causing her more pain. "Are there any other symptoms you have been experiencing? Is it a sickness? Are you pushing yourself too hard?" He fussed over her, checking her temperature and peering into her eyes to check that they were not dilated.
"Not that I am yet aware of." Jupiter answered truthfully. "Though I have become more sensitive to the Force recently, as you just witnessed. I can feel so much more and very little is without clarity when I seek answers, these days. It is as if the pain is helping me to focus, though I feel it is not a good thing." Obi-Wan frowned, confused by her words. "I know what path it is I must take…there are voices guiding me…telling me what I should do but…I do not think I can do it."
"Do what, Jupiter? Tell me, what voices?" Obi-Wan's concern deepened a thousand fold, turning her to face him properly as he placed his hands upon her shoulder to hold her firmly. "What in the universe has happened to you, my dear?" Chuckling softly, Jupiter brushed his hands away from her shoulders, feeling that they were beginning to weigh her down by the tightness of his grip but entwined her forefinger with his, holding onto him with the minutest of touches which she could discreetly hide whilst others walked past them.
"It is for me to find out on my own, sweeting. Do not fear for me. Go and rescue Satine, she is waiting for you. If you let her down, rest assured that neither she nor I will ever forgive you." Patting his cheek mischievously Jupiter turned and serenely walked away, holding her head high. Obi-Wan watched her go, unable to untie the knot that he felt in his chest as she went further and further away. Always out of reach, always seemingly racing ahead of him without ever stumbling. Jupiter was a force to be reckoned with always, however to Obi-Wan she was quite simply Jupiter, dearest friend and the daughter of his master whom he had sworn to protect with his life. Now he cannot even take away a simple pain.
"Much use I am." He sighed under his breath before turning away. "I better contact Anakin. He is an expert in defying the council, after all."
