Sprawled out across a lounge, facing downward with his head facing to the open of the reception area, Izan was far from the picture of restful sleep.
Jayden moved around to his side carefully nonetheless. Sunrise had only just reached that part of Coruscant. Those Mandalorians that resided in the embassy grounds would be returning soon from their early morning routines. A Zeltron sprawled out across one of the lounges, even if he was stone sober, wasn't something they'd be pleased about.
"Hey. Need you up and ready in five minutes. You can catch up on sleep when we get your room sorted."
Surprisingly, despite his rather terrible sleeping posture, Izan wasn't all that slow to rise from sleep after all. With some groaning, beard scratching, and general poor coordination, he eventually found his way up to a sitting position. There, he spent a long while with his head tilted back to stare at the ceiling above.
"Am I supposed to be still tasting Mandalorian chowder under my tongue the morning after?"
Jayden quietly rolled her eyes while setting her helmet on the nearby table. "It'll pass. Once things have settled you can order in food with less bite." She reached up behind her head to start tying up her hair once more, having left it loose over the back of her armour until then. "Unless you have other plans in mind?"
"I'm not running off to the nearest strip club or bar. Or pazaak den for that matter. This is…" Izan tilted his head forward, took a look around the reception, then gave a belated shrug. "Really boring. I thought there'd be more mounted heads and weapon displays."
The most surprising thing to follow was the sound of realization from Jayden when she looked around, and came to the same conclusion. The interior had been designed to match Mandalore Prime's architecture closely, but there was nothing actually cultural about the decorating.
"I haven't been here in several years. Holocom chats with the ambassador have typically been all I needed. Then again I can't recall there being much to look at around the last time either."
Once her hair was back into a tight bun at the back of her head, she retrieved her helmet once again, holding it under her arm to continue speaking. "I need to head down and contact Mandalore again. Hopefully he's got that sanctuary order cleared by now. Mind seeing how Azera's doing?"
With some effort, Izan managed to peel himself away from the slump he was in. After nearly tripping right over the table, he eventually found his balance and started for the corridor that led deeper into the building, only to stop again for thought.
"Any word from the Temple? In case she asks?"
"Nothing since last night. But I'll check in again as soon as I'm done with Mandalore." Given the dour mood they were both in, Jayden forced a smile. "Maybe Maarani wants flowers smuggled here for Azera."
Izan quirked an eyebrow, but eventually did smile lightly in agreement. "Yeah, probably. I'll keep an eye out at the garden markets."
It didn't take long to reach the room Azera had settled into for meditation through the night. As far from windows and other easy points of access as she could get. Her resolve to not fight back had remained strong.
The door opening just as he arrived was only a mild surprise, given it wasn't automatic. Being around so many Force users for so long had dulled such feats in a way.
Azera was in the position she always took for her meditation, kneeling in a precise way that wouldn't cause soreness in her knees or feet. Hands on her lap, head tilted forward just a little. The only difference was that her hair was now free to hang either side of her face.
Given the deliberate door opening, Izan was far less concerned about interrupting her meditation when he found a spot to lean against. There was a subtle feeling that he was going to be there a little while.
"Putting it bluntly, did you know I was coming because you sensed me in the corridor, or because you were listening the whole time?"
Rather than being offended in any way, Azera just smiled.
"Yes Izan, I've been listening to every word you've said since the day you were born. Never mind the fact that I'm several years younger than you."
"I did say I was being blunt."
Not getting the reaction she wanted, Azera briefly twisted her lips for thought, then backed down from provocation. It hadn't taken her long to miss the chance to tease others for amusement in person. Especially Maarani, who couldn't come near the embassy for a long while yet.
The fact that it hadn't driven Izan away wasn't lost on her either. "To answer your question, my focus has been far from the embassy. I haven't the faintest idea why you came, I merely sensed one of you in the corridor outside, and I felt like being polite. Satisfied?"
"Yeah, actually." Izan shrugged after that, head tilting back against the wall while his eyes started to wander the room. "So, what does 'far from the embassy' mean specifically? I'm getting the sensation that you're not paranoid, so it isn't a case of watching for search parties. And you wouldn't phrase it like that if you meant watching Maarani while she's asleep."
Azera smiled in a sly way, again choosing not to take offense. "Finally putting those deduction skills you supposedly had to use?" She followed that with a softer smile. " I wasn't being vague with my answer, but with my focus. I have simply been allowing my perception to wander the realms of life in the surrounding areas. To look at the whole, rather than the individual."
Izan tilted his head, then gradually went into a slow, knowing nod. "A Jedi perspective, then."
"Some would concur. I don't."
There was a subtle change in the air when Azera next inhaled. A renewed feeling of calm. Not like that which Maarani had been projecting. It was very natural, as if the room had breathed out when she breathed in, and relaxed for it.
"As Sith, I learned to draw power from the fear and the pain of others on a large scale. I left myself open to such feelings, but never anything more. Removing that restriction is something I have never tried on such a populated world. It is different from Felucia, or Akar Kesh for that matter."
Her head turned to the left slowly, following the flow of sensations reaching her. "Somewhere in that direction, someone is fleeing a crime they've just committed. I can hear people being pushed out of the way. Some by the criminal, others by police forces. It's something they're used to seeing regularly."
She shifted her focus in another direction, nodding her head backwards a little. "Maarani is on her way to the Senate building now. I can feel the guards starting to watch for a blue Twi'lek. They're not happy about being told to let her through."
"I could learn of events like this before by observing the focus mind. Learning of events through the people surrounding it on the other hand, it is so very different."
"You don't know the reasons why they run. They're just another face you forget in a few hours." Izan's eyes started to wander. Not because he was losing interest in their conversation, far from it in fact. "I keep hearing Jedi talk about how empty the world around them feels when they're isolated from the Force. How they miss knowing that others are alive, and doing things."
Inevitably, his eyes returned to Azera's direction. "Maybe I just got unlucky with the Zeltron genes. I've never really felt like the galaxy is teeming with life and energy and all those 'euphoric good vibes' I keep hearing about my people. Some days, it actually feels dry. And meaningless. Nowhere near enough people care anymore."
Azera's response was once again to smile. "I suppose I appreciate the existence of life more for having been to Katarr. But perhaps you have a point."
She stood up right after that, motioning for the door as she began approaching it slowly. "Not everyone has their own Lady of Balance to give them a purpose in life, after all. They have to find and claim it themselves."
Izan leaned off the wall at last, waiting for Azera to exit the room so he could follow her out. "I think I'd pass on having purpose handed to me anyway. Done enough waiting around for things to fall into place on their own as is."
"Ambassador Haran to see you."
Senator Iyep pushed the latest of her many secure datapads for the day aside with a sigh, her hand going right up to her head.
"Send him through then."
In the few seconds before his arrival, she reached for the nearest bottle with her other hand. A quick splash into the waiting glass ended up sending droplets across her table, which she flicked onto the floor behind her with disdain. Once the bottle was down, her hand went for the ventilation controls before the aroma became too noticeable.
She knocked back what had made it into the glass right before the doorway chimed. The glass itself was pushed out of sight behind that discarded pile further along the table, leaving her a sliver of a second to put her best diplomatic expression on.
Haran took his time entering the office when he did finally step inside. Lightly tapping his fingers across the opposing palm while rather slowly moving along the right hand wall. His eyes were scanning over the table all the while.
Iyep's patience was already at a low, her glare shooting right across the room. "What?"
"You're not going to throw another statue at me, are you?
The fingers on her forehead tightened rather fiercely, while her glare deepened.
Not taking the chance, Haran positioned himself in front of one of her favourite paintings, sitting back against the cabinet below it. "Word's getting around about what happened after the Temple went up in smoke. Mind letting the diplomatic core in on what our new stance is with our pilot of the season?"
That brought on a scoff from Iyep, who finally lifted her head away from her hand. "She's not our problem. That upstart pilot trying to protect Kiarna doesn't make her any more important than she was before this mess."
Her eyes rolled around a bit as her haphazard thought processes looked for a more substantial answer. "If she makes this mess worse, get her branded a traitor by the other races and I'll have her citizenship revoked. Plenty of that going around with-"
The doors opened again, cutting her off because of just how unexpected it was. There was no foreword from her assistant, which in turn meant no chime at the actual arrival.
Of all the possible unannounced visitors, Maarani was quite possibly at the very top of her worst. The fact that she very blatantly had a lightsaber at each hip solidified that position.
Iyep's barely withheld contempt for Haran shifted to blatantly concealed displeasure for Maarani herself. Her smile was so fake that it was physically disconcerting to look at. She could barely even open her jaw to speak because of it.
"Tegama'Arani. I suppose you have a perfectly valid reason for coming in here without an appointment, and armed for that matter?"
Maarani folded her arms up closely, keeping her hands well away from the two lightsabers. The contempt directed at her was practically dripping off Iyep in her enhanced perception, putting her on the defensive with her own feelings. She wasn't going to be projecting anything so long as she remained in the same room.
"Cut the crap. I didn't vote for you, and you've done absolutely nothing to earn my respect these past years. As far as I'm concerned, I have no obligation to be nice."
Iyep's fake smile faded very quickly at that. A quick aside to Haran made it clear he had no intention of intervening on her behalf either.
She leaned back up once that smile was gone altogether. The time had come to move onto her next method of approach.
"If you came here to complain about how democracy works, then you'll be disappointed to learn I can't do anything about that."
Maarani stood unfazed. "Who has it out for me? I made the call to Admiral Onasi. People know who I am. So, who decided the word of a war hero isn't worth as much as a publicity stunt to boost approval ratings?"
Iyep's hand tightened up a little. The accusation against herself was all too clear, even if it had gone unspoken. Anything said in her own defense could weaken her position by giving vital information away. Her offense remained.
"A war hero? Thinking rather highly of ourselves are we now? Congratulations, you gave a speech to the galaxy that caused several key worlds to leave the Republic. Truly the work of a hero."
She looked to Haran again, who was just smiling in amusement. "Something you want to add, Ambassador? Please, keep heaping on the ego of our brilliant pilot here, who has somehow caused even more damage than the Exile in her time."
Haran glanced between the two women, then after a shrug reached his hand out towards Maarani at last. "Last time we met in person-"
"Was Mandalore Prime. I haven't forgotten." With some brief hesitation, Maarani reached her hand out to take his in a light grasp. "Congratulations on making it to the big chair."
There was little enthusiasm to Maarani's words, but her point was clear. Haran was far more likely to come down on her side to begin with, possibly against Iyep depending on how their conversation went.
On that note, she turned towards the table fully, taking a few steps forward while bringing her hands to her sides. Closer to the lightsabers, but still not touching them.
"That's twice you've tried to get under my skin, Senator. It's not going to work, and I have every right to stand here until you answer my questions. As a Twi'lek citizen, and as a Jedi. Who sent those soldiers to the Temple?"
Iyep's face went cold. Her bad position was now getting worse, and if the guards hadn't come to escort Maarani out by then, it was almost a guarantee she wasn't bluffing about her recognized status as a Jedi. Stalling and deflecting wasn't going to save her neck much longer. And with those two lightsabers nearby, it was possible that it really was on the line.
Begrudgingly, she let out a small sigh of defeat, though remained defiant in tone.
"Thirty two Senators voted to take action. Thirteen voted against, I and the remaining four abstained. That's all you're going to learn about Senate proceedings this day, Maarani."
Maarani just shrugged at that, taking another step forward. "Bet you feel so proud of yourself for keeping out of it. As usual. And it still doesn't even answer my question."
"I don't see how naming names could possibly benefit me in any way. Or how it would benefit you for that matter. You're deluded, but not suicidal enough to go out and try attacking thirty two Senators and their guards."
That brought on a very sarcastic smile from Maarani, her head tilting as she brought her hands forward to start resting on Iyep's table.
"Cute. You're right, I'm not suicidal, anymore. Because I've got two very good reasons to live."
Haran was the first to notice as a slight chill started to enter the room. And for a few moments, he felt as if the lights had dimmed slightly.
Maarani was leaning further over the desk, glaring right into Iyep's eyes by then.
"I'm going to keep Azera alive, and free. Whatever it takes. And, I am going to pull every single Twi'lek out of the rotten state we've fallen to. That's the one you should be real afraid of."
The chill became noticeable by Iyep as well at that point, mostly because she had been forced to press back against her chair.
And still, Maarani continued to let her darker intent spread.
"Because you're not just the Senator for Ryloth, and all the Twi'lek colonies and such. You have a responsibility to every single one of our people, whether they have a voice or not. And when I give them that voice, I am going to let them tell you exactly what they think of being neglected. Of being abandoned to the slavers and the Hutts."
She tilted her head again, that time with a muffled scoff. "Maybe I'll even leave you to the Hidden Hand while I'm at it. I could use a good way to settle the score with them. And Seradan told me just how much he doesn't like politicians when he nearly caved my face in."
With her point made, she leaned right back up and turned around to leave the room. The chill emanating from her presence subsided shortly after, practically gone by the time she was out the door.
Iyep sat there in absolute silence for several seconds. Then, rather abruptly, she grabbed for the nearby bottle and smacked it against her lips, gulping what she could out of desperation. Once the burning sensation had snapped her out of that, she glared right at Haran.
"Why the hell are you still in here?"
"I was just thinking. Perhaps having a Dark Jedi as a new leader for our people wouldn't be such a bad idea-"
"Get. Out."
Haran lifted his hands in defeat, making for the doors as well shortly after.
Another few swigs from the bottle followed for Iyep. For her years of ladder climbing and deal brokering to reach that position, never had she felt so fundamentally threatened and insecure.
And yet, in her increasing drunkenness, one single line towards an advantage finally occurred to her.
It took a few tries, but when her fingers finally found the inter-office comm system, she took the time to clear her throat as well as her head for speaking.
"Message to Senator Lian." She paused for a bit to hold down an involuntary gulp. "I think I have an idea on where you'll find Kiarna. That message from Maarani some months ago? It was relayed through Mandalore Prime. And she's earned favour with them in the past. Maybe enough to call on a very big request."
Minutes later, Maarani set foot on the Temple grounds once more. While the relocation effort had slowed during the night, it had still made an impact on the level of traffic in that bay. If nothing else, having less people in pain and anguish around her made keeping a level head that much easier. She needed every bit of willpower she had to not think about her disdain for Iyep already.
As previously agreed, Sereti was waiting just inside the building itself, away from where the continued foot traffic was.
It was only after moving out of earshot from the others that Maarani finally let the walls down. "How did you survive six years of dealing with people like her? Truly."
"Things were more amicable to begin with. By the time they get worse, you've already become accustomed to the things that never change about them." Sereti tilted her head following that, noticing it hadn't eased the tension in the slightest. "Did you learn what you needed?"
Maarani just shrugged. "No names. Over half the Senate were on board with going after Az. And as always, Senator Tipsy didn't even take a stance. And I'm pretty sure no amount of big speeches and threats of freeing all the Twi'lek slaves to give her a piece of their mind isn't going to change anything. Even if I could actually do all that. You can add 'coward' to my list of words that describe her."
Sereti's lips tightened up with a matching sigh of concern. "Threats?"
"I did nothing illegal. I pointed out her stupid tricks, I made my intent clear, and I didn't once threaten her with physical violence or blackmail. And making the room cold and the lights dim isn't a crime last I checked."
"Tegama."
"I'm using what I have of the dark side in an extremely limited way. Already done far worse the past couple of weeks, and this time I'm being honest about it. Okay?"
Another sigh followed from Sereti while she reached up to her new veil, the bandage around her head concealed underneath. "I appreciate that you're being open about this. But consider that anything you do can so easily be taken out of context. Especially when the Senate decides you've become a threat to them. Don't give them evidence to paint you in a bad light."
"In other words, don't do anything, ever."
Her brief petulance did at least help her calm down more, enough to even feel a little apologetic. And to know it was time to start focusing on the rest of her many concerns.
Noticing the next shift of stretchers being carried out brought her right to that key subject. "Any word on when Bastila will get here? I saw the medics from the Mid Rim worlds arriving on the way back."
"Another day, at the very least. Possibly after tomorrow. And on that note, Chaser won't be here for some time either."
Maarani lifted an eyebrow. "Let me guess, combat deployment? Can't we at least get her on holocom to help with building a case?"
"Last word was that she was deployed to the Dustcatcher when it entered the Sorost ice fields. It still hasn't left the region. From the sound of it, I believe they were intent on locating the Truth-of-Malastare, or what's left of the vessel."
"Oh fantastic. Chasing-" Maarani winced at her choice of words. "Searching for a ship lost over a year ago, instead of sticking around to help with literally anything else that's more useful. What a joke."
"If circumstances were different, I'd look into why the search was picked up again. As things are, we'll have to wait for Chaser's return to learn that."
Maarani turned away for some air, her arms folding back up to reflect her mood. "Let's face it, I'm not ready to start going against the Republic military anyway. Not when Azera's life is on the line. I just…"
Her eyes closed while one hand went up to her face. After a day and a half of going from point to point with no time to think, slowing down for thought was taking its toll on her.
"She has a much better grip on the problem than I ever did. And I know that she's on the right track in putting a stop to it. I'm not going to find someone else like that." Her hand slid back from her face as she turned back to look at Sereti again. "Someone I can throw my support behind when I have the right kind of power, and then leave to work on fixing the problem while I sort out the Sith. Looking back, I'm really starting to believe we didn't meet by accident at all."
"Yet another occurrence guided by the Lady of Balance?"
"Maybe." The sigh that followed was a very small indicator while the flood of memories came back. "The first time I actually saw the Lady was right after Chaser got out in the escape pod I was running for. I haven't really thought about it quite like this before."
"Mistress!"
Her poignant moment was interrupted by Cecile, who was approaching at quite a brisk pace. A very unusual occurrence that had her concerned, but also slightly bothered.
Sereti was quick to start moving again, taking a moment to place her hand on Maarani's arm. "I do need to return to overseeing things. Dana will be free from her duties soon if you need further help."
Maarani watched her leave with a slight expression of annoyance before turning to Cecile. "What's got you worked up?"
"I have tracked down the location in which I was abandoned for a considerable amount of time, quite possibly several decades."
While it was a significant relevation, one Maarani could see herself appreciating under other circumstances, the most she could manage at that point was a very impatient shrug.
"And? I can't come and look at it. I've got way too many things that need doing, starting with keeping Az out of Republic custody."
Cecile's eyes flickered a few times. Rather than complaining and pleading for more of her time, she took the point made in stride.
'I do not know where to continue the search. I also doubt that your Sith mate will have any insights to give, or that Carmen will know of anything relevant."
"Yeah, well, I don't have any answers either. And please don't call Azera that ever again. Ever. No matter how accurate you think it is."
Knowing that wasn't going to satisfy the droid's need for an answer, Maarani started to pace around for one of her own. "I will try and help you when I'm not having an enormous crisis of my own to deal with. I promise. There has to be records somewhere that have the answers you want."
All she could conclude was that there simply wasn't any way Cecile could get said records on her own. If it was to do with her subdued nature as a combat droid, it would still be under security lockouts and permissions. And getting those cleared would take time she couldn't delegate to others in the know.
When it came down to it, the most she could think of was to stall in the nicest way possible.
"Okay, look, there's still credits on the Vastes. Go take some, wander around Coruscant, see the sights and maybe even get yourself some things Carmen can't provide. Either you'll start recovering more of your memory, or you'll be out of my lekku long enough for things to settle down here and I can come help you. That's just how it has to be, ok?"
She watched Cecile depart after a prolonged stare between them. Not for a moment did she regret setting her free, but that didn't necessarily mean she was also entirely happy with what Cecile was doing with her freedom. Deep in her stomach, there was an uncomfortable feeling that seemed to circle around just what the droid would uncover. Beyond her underlying programming to be a killer.
After Cecile was finally gone, she started making her way towards one of the few intact balconies of the Temple, away from the many repair crews and other foot traffic. There were still things she needed to go over later in the day. And that was after having put off her discussion with the Council yet again. Part of staying focused on all her tasks involved knowing exactly when to stop and breathe. For the moment, she intended to at least get some further comfort while taking that needed rest.
It was nearly midday when she reached the balcony itself. Shaded by the overhang, with an otherwise pristine view of Coruscant's western skies and cityscape.
She sat down facing north, closer towards where the various embassy buildings were dotted in the vicinity of the Senate district.
Meditating had always been difficult in the time between the fallout with Zariba, and grown worse until the culmination at Akar Kesh. When she closed her eyes that time, the state of calm and serene focus came within seconds. Whatever new pains and concerns existed at that point, she was still coping with. Able to leave them by the wayside when she needed to, just a little while.
"Az? This a good time? I want to try it again."
It took a little longer, but when it happened, she was very aware of the change.
The sensation of open air on her skin. Sounds of various craft in the distance outside as well as repair crews just as distant inside. A simple feeling of being close to Jedi. All of it faded with a soft rumble in her ears, giving way to the feeling of a different environment entirely.
When she opened her eyes, she was looking right at Azera, seated in front of her in the same way. The look of the room was plain, though from what Jayden had told her it was a relief to know she was indeed seeing the Mandalorian embassy, and not a prison cell.
Azera tilted her head, then smiled quietly. Her perception had shifted to Maarani's location in turn, giving her a rather more limited view of her surroundings than she was used to in her own body. But it was enough to inform her of the distance they were seeing each other through.
"You're getting better already. Right before you pass out from exhaustion isn't the best time to try admittedly."
Maarani tightened her lips. She had to keep reminding herself that she wasn't in a private spot, and that others could see and hear her if they so happened to move by. The downsides of needing an easily accessible place to meditate.
"Yes, well, pushing limits and understanding of the Force, isn't that what Sith are about?"
"Ah, so that's what it was. Not sating your needs from afar?"
A sigh followed from Maarani as she quickly sought to change the subject before more teasing from Azera followed. "I know it's been less than a full cycle. But, I'm already missing you, a lot."
"I'm touched. Well, not really, because-"
"Az, please."
Another long breath brought her calm back to the fore. She had felt the connection waver a bit, but had at least learned a little more on keeping it stable.
Once settled again, she lifted her sight back to Azera. "I don't exactly have anyone else I can talk to about the big issues. Cecile's doing her own thing, and all our other friends are busy. I tried going to Yuthura, but she told me it wasn't time for that yet. Sereti's so busy on her massive guilt trip over screwing up that she's doing literally everything she can to help before she passes out."
Her gaze lowered again when she sighed with a bit more defeat in tone. "There aren't many others I can really open up to. They're either still grieving like Torbut, off Temple grounds like Utan, or still on the way like…"
She chewed her lips before continuing, though she had already noticed the inquisitive sensation from Azera.
So far, she hadn't yet been told that Bastila and the other Jedi were coming. Something that would certainly be a good thing to warn her about ahead of time, but also not the kind of conversation Maarani wanted to have anywhere but t in person.
Lying wasn't something she wanted to do. Evading the truth didn't feel any less terrible though. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be moping like this, Az. There's so much I want to tell you face to face, properly, when I'm not going to be tracked the moment I leave the Temple. I really hate being targeted specifically because I'm trying to stop things from getting worse, because everyone else are idiots who don't know what they're doing."
"But you endure it anyway, for me. And I am not taking that for granted in the slightest, Tee."
Maarani tightened her lips again. That time, it was just to try and keep her composure. It was moments of simple assurance, that her efforts weren't going fully unnoticed, that she needed most. Just one simple reminder helped ease the burden of putting herself up front as a political target. So easy to forget just why she was doing what she was doing in the midst of it all.
"I think I'm ready to try refining this a little more again, if you're ready. I've got an hour or two at least before I need to get moving again."
Azera nodded to that with another smile, returning to her more serene state. "Don't try to rush like last time then. This is something of a learning experience after all, we're one of the few to ever get the chance to experience this kind of bond. Let's not mess it up from the onset."
Having managed to mostly keep to himself during the early half of the day meant Izan was a little more prepared for the late half. Many of the Mandalorians that worked or stayed in the embassy had returned from the Jedi Temple. And to the gratitude of many, they were in fact rather well mannered about the whole matter.
"So, Izan is it? What you got to share about our new guest?"
One of the many Devaronians from Clan Sornell had parked himself right beside Izan on the lounge, both arms spread out behind him in a very relaxed posture while he posed the question. A variety of other Mandalorians, both in species as well as clan, had already started to gather around the spot as well.
Izan started to roll his shoulders lightly. It was well into the afternoon, and Azera had gone back into solitude for meditation some hours previously. It was very unlikely she'd emerge to sate the curiosity of those she was a guest of herself. And Jayden had left a short while ago to meet her husband at the spaceport while waiting for confirmation of the sanctuary order being approved. He was on his own for the time being.
"Not a whole lot I can share, anecdotally anyway. We don't really talk with each other that much when there's literally anyone else around. I don't think she's into card games. She's also probably no longer into men at this point now she's got Maarani. And I'm pretty sure isn't one for drinking at all." He gave a shrug and smile at that. "That's my big three conversation starters gone in her case."
One of the others standing around, a human that time, gave a hearty chuckle at that. "Can't win 'em all, Izan."
"I'd rather not a dark, brooding partner with a streak of cliche villainous behaviour to them, as per usual Sith. Then again, Azera isn't actually that dark, or brooding for that matter, so moot point I guess."
"Well, looks like you learned a little more about her after all, huh?"
Almost immediately after, there was a notable shift in the mood of the room. Those standing around became a lot quieter, and soon started to move out of the way.
Azera had emerged from her meditation, looking very concerned as she approached the centre of the gathering.
"I've just seen two hovervans with over a dozen Coruscant armoured police approaching this building."
Izan was quick to his feet at that, moving through the gathering towards her. "Can you mind trick them in some way? We can carry you elsewhere while you meditate if you need-"
"It's not going to work. There's too many of them, and they're also well trained." Azera turned her head about the room, expressing some of her growing uncertainty as she felt them drawing closer. "I don't know what procedure they'll follow. And I won't have anyone getting shot just to protect me."
Also lost for what to do, Izan grasped at his chin while starting to pace about as well. "Still no word from Mandalore Prime. Jayden's probably hasn't left the spaceport yet. Maarani and the Jedi won't get here in time."
His pacing eventually led his attention to settle on the Mandalorians themselves. Some looked uncomfortable with how things were starting to turn. Many of the rest by contrast looked ready and eager for a fight. Regardless of the diplomatic consequences.
For once, he was no longer feeling indecisive.
"Barricading the doors is just going to make things a lot worse very quickly if I know my Republic history. They'll bring in cutting gear and riot droids, and turn the embassy into a shooting gallery if it keeps up much longer."
Another of the Mandalorians in the group spoke up with a hearty laugh. "Let's knock some heads and send them packing then. They've got special rules for us. No stabbing, no shooting, no broken bones, they can't arrest us."
Both Izan and Azera looked to her, the former lifting his eyebrows in confusion. "Since when has that been a thing? And why?"
"Ever since the alliance. They'd run out of cells every week otherwise come drinking night. Give 'em a bloody nose and a winded chest, they'll have to go home empty handed, or break their own rules."
Azera hummed in a bit of thought, starting to consider that proposal. "They tried to send soldiers to arrest me before, when there weren't yet grounds for a legal arrest. If they're trying to save face now with a proper warrant and actual police, with so many more witnesses they could back off. Or, they could push back harder after all, and decide it's worth the damage to relations."
She could sense the police forces starting to disembark at the landing pad of the building. There was mere minutes left before the confrontation would begin. How it would end was beyond her ability to predict.
It didn't affect her existing decisions going forward. No action against the Republic, or willfully holding herself back while others took the fall. The risk that Maarani's plan would fall apart was something they both had to accept. And deal with when the time came.
"They're coming up now. I'm going to warn Tegama while I can. Just please know when to stand down if this gets out of hand. All of you. I'm not worth trading lives for." Azera turned her head to all the Mandalorians gathered, and eventually back to Izan. "K'oyacy, ner vod."
Not actually knowing that much Mando'a, Izan just gave a blank nod while the group started to move out. He took a moment to be sure Azera returned to her room safely before following the rest towards the entry hall, then out into the corridor.
Despite not being armoured in the slightest, and never thinking of himself as being good at hand-to-hand, he still made his way towards the very front of the blockade.
With the tension growing as the inevitable drew closer, he finally let out a small sigh and looked to the Devaronian from earlier.
"She's far more fluent in the language than I thought. Or else I'm really behind."
That earned a smile from his counterpart, who lifted a hand to Izan's shoulder. "'Stay safe, my friend'. Seems you've found some common ground with her after all."
Izan pondered on that, going through some small physical routines while the wait really set in. He'd gone through his fair share of doubts about Azera since their first proper meeting, the last of the crew to do so. But at that point, he was convinced that acting in her defense was now the right move.
The sound of heavy footsteps started to echo through the corridor. Not long after, the Coruscant heavy police arrived at last. Twenty in tough gear, wielding batons in hand, a blaster each at their side. The four droids accompanying them took up the rear, spreading to hold the way out while the rest moved forward.
When it was clear that the Mandalorians weren't going to move, the lead officer stopped the advance within a few metres of the gathering.
"Is she coercing you all? Threatening? Mind controlling? We can settle this quickly."
Izan smirked with a small tilt of his head. "What if we don't want it settled quickly?" His fingers started to clench up, eyes darting about to judge the best place to strike. "You're on the wrong side of this, officer. The woman you're searching for? She's not the monster you've been told she is."
"Look, son, we're not here to trade cheesy lines and other cliches from holovids. If you want to aid and embed a war criminal, go right ahead. The pay is worth the paperwork on that one."
After glancing to the others, Izan nodded, then smiled again. "Thanks for making it easier. Feel a lot better knowing you're just a greedy thug in uniform."
Unsurprisingly, his fist smacked into the lead officer's helmet with a sound he didn't like one bit. There wasn't much time to think about what his hand was experiencing as the baton went into his stomach, knocking him back against some of the Mandalorians as they closed the gap.
He was winded, and probably bleeding from the knuckles already. But Izan didn't hesitate on picking himself up and going right back into the fray.
"So, how's the big chair treating you so far, Dana?"
Dana reached for her forehead with very little subtlety at Maarani's question. Not out of annoyance at being asked though.
"I thought my time here was busy when I was merely asked to conduct behavioural exams of battle weary Jedi and the like ." She had to bring her hand back down to the terminal she was working at right after, bringing up the next set of reports for her viewing.
When it became clear Maarani wasn't content with that answer, she took a breath to try and ready herself. It was a very quick descent into territory she didn't want to get into with her former padawan, by any means.
"I'm learning a lot more about the Jedi, maybe too much. It's hard to keep track between my memories, Suroni's memories and now everything I'm expected to be aware of as an acting Council member."
There was another pause while she tried to read over the reports, and gave up when she found she couldn't actually focus on them properly.
Maarani reached over to touch her arm lightly out of great concern. Whatever her current burdens, she wasn't letting them blind her to those of her friends as well. "How bad could it really be? You don't have to give me details, I understand needing to keep some secrets until this crisis is over."
Dana's hand went back up, that time to her face, fingers pressing over her cheek and mouth. Trying to find the right words.
"I started asking about what happened with the Lady of Sorrows. I thought at the very least if I knew what they had to say, I'd be able to give you some of the information before you go in for that discussion. Soften whatever the truth is a little."
"I understand, and I appreciate that, Dana."
After nodding in appreciation of her own, Dana slowly turned around on the spot to lean back against the wall where the terminal was situated. "Sereti isn't ready. I think you've gathered that by now anyway. The rest of the inner circle don't know as much as she does, so I think you'll be better off waiting longer to get the truth."
Maarani nodded at that lightly, though her look of concern deepened while she did so. "And what about you? Something has you bothered about my past, I can tell."
Once again, Dana's lip curled in. She was still having trouble processing what she had gathered herself. "They're hiding something important, something they're ashamed to admit. To me."
For a little while, Maarani didn't say a word, just glancing around in search of anything she could say or ask. "Like what? You said you regained Suroni's memories years ago. What else is there to hide?"
"Oh, I don't know. Perhaps you have a half-brother thanks to some deranged love affair Suroni had with your father in the weeks they knew each other. And I'm missing a chunk of my own first years of memory because of it. It'd make about as much sense as anything else at this point."
"Where the hell did that one come from? I know I've said things in bad taste myself but-"
Tee, they've found me, Coruscant police are coming. I need you here now.
Maarani didn't immediately react to the warning from Azera, still reeling from Dana's remark. When she did finally put it aside, ideally forever, her posture went right back towards that of action.
"We need to go. She's in danger."
Dana leaned right back off the wall, taking the moment to check that her lightsaber was still on her hip before following after Maarani. Even if she had no intent of using it, the presence alone was what mattered.
"I suppose now isn't the time to ask how the Senate worked it out?"
"Well, if I somehow tipped them off with my little visit to Iyep, it had to be really indirect. Or maybe someone went back to Jayden's report and connected the dots, I really don't care how."
As they drew closer to the nearest landing bay, the level of activity around them rose steadily once more. Securing a free speeder was left to Dana, giving Maarani a chance to make what calls she could before departing.
"Master Utan, Azera's been caught out, there's planetary police coming for her. Dana and I are heading out to try and keep it from getting worse. Any news from the Admiral?"
"No. He is currently still occupied with coordinating defensive lines across the latest skirmish zones. There is not yet enough support in order to overrule the Senate."
"I know you're doing your best. I'll make contact once I know what's going on. And I do promise to keep any harm done to a bare minimum."
She closed the holocom down right after that. Dana was waving her over to a nearby speeder car, which she was in the process of starting up from the passenger seat.
As soon as she hopped in herself, Maarani did a very brisk turnaround to fly out of the Temple on a direct line towards the embassy. Dangerous certainly, but craft leaving the Jedi grounds were typically given a free pass under the current crisis.
"I'd like to say this takes me back to old times, Dana. But let's face it, we're too different now. Not that resigning from the Starfighter Corps is something I feel particularly nostalgic about anyway."
Dana was less visibly tense, taking a bit more time to look around their surroundings as they rushed by at great speed. "I still sometimes think about those days, after we had just met. And I do miss them."
Maarani's determined look softened a little, but she said nothing in response.
"I am sorry I didn't try hard enough to keep things from falling apart on my end, Teegs. I made some stupid choices, and while I still maintain others were valid…
Her line of thought trailed off after that. It was so very hard to explain the guilt she felt over her part of the failure between them, without making it sound as if she was blaming or absolving Maarani. In the end, it was a joint breakdown, which made it all the harder to overcome.
"Yeah, I know. There's just too much weird and awkward between us. We have different opinions on a lot of things. You're over four times my age but barely look a decade older." She cut herself off briefly to swerve through some of the buildings after having to take the speeder down lower. "The only things we really have in common are some very strained relations with my father, and that we're both victims of the Jedi screwing things up. That's a really bad basis for any friendship. And yes, friendship is what I think of it as. I'd rather we never talk about what happened on that unnamed planet I stranded you and Jayden ever again.
Her lips tightened after that, and not because the embassy had come into view. "Which I'm very sorry for, by the way."
"I haven't been left with a limp because of my foot. I daresay that I'm not the one who was worse off for it." Dana went quiet again when she could tell exactly where that part of the conversation was headed. "Then again I'm probably going to end up regretting that we didn't kill Sloane while we had the chance as well. I just don't like thinking of murder as some kind of strategic achievement."
"Taking her out isn't going to be achievement then, when Az and I get to her. She'll just be one more Sith who's entrenched too deeply in the dark side to bother bringing back to the light. And we are going to legitimately try and help the others first, believe me."
They reached the approach to the landing pad outside the embassy, touching down right beside the two police craft that had been left in lockdown. It appeared that they had wanted everyone available in the transports for the capture.
"Only way I see Sloane escaping a very quick and merciful death. We give the Republic Senate the other mass murdering depraved Miraluka Sith in the galaxy to parade around as their bounty instead of my girlfriend."
"Sure, let's fly right back into Imperial space, raid Sloane's ship, let Jayden punch her again, and haul the rest of her crew here while we're at it."
Maarani hopped down from the speeder, taking the time to check her lightsabers before making her way over to the embassy doors. Once again, they remained at her sides, rather than in her hands.
"I'm going to figure out how to enter and exit shatterspace at will, sooner or later. She might see it coming, but she won't be ready for however many Jedi we bring. Rinse and repeat for the rest of the sorcerers, and General Morgak and his lot."
With some final adjustments to her attire, Dana caught up at the door so that they could enter side by side. "Jedi? Not the Following? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to know you're not going to try it alone..."
"It's time for the Jedi to stop behaving like the Sith have to be outright destroyed. It clearly never works."
A short while later they were at the lift, heading up towards the main embassy floor. Fortunately, there hadn't been any security lockdown in the building, so far anyway, saving the trouble of a climb upward.
The ride up left a brief window for Maarani to concentrate in, her eyes closing while she started to direct her focus upward.
"I haven't heard anything from Azera at all. She has to know we're coming by now, so I don't know what to think."
"And the others?"
Maarani tightened her face a little as she concentrated harder. Still lacking in proper training, she couldn't push her empathic senses that far, or to any real detail.
"All I'm sensing is a lot of aggression, and some pain. Nothing extreme." Her eyes opened after that with a small sigh of discomfort. "They could be brawling for all I know. I guess they counted on Mandalorian armour being too resistant to stun blasts to bother with."
"That armour wouldn't necessarily stop shock batons."
"Which the usual police forces shouldn't have. Those aren't riot control vehicles down there."
Dana gave a strong look of doubt as the doors opened. "Taking a Sith sorcerer prisoner, while she's still conscious. Somehow I doubt they actually believe, or even know for that matter about her passive stance in all this. It doesn't feel right."
Moving further into the building soon brought them close enough to start hearing the brawl going on ahead.
"They know she spent the first day healing Jedi, and that she fled rather than stand and defend herself. Like I said, they'll want to parade around and-"
The sound of a blaster shot above the general sounds of brawling made both freeze in place. After a moment, they looked to each other, then started to bolt down the corridor.
"Lightsabers?"
"Just don't cut any limbs off Teegs!"
They both skidded around the next corner to the main corridor at last. Up the other end was an absolute mess of bruised and battered people. Both the Mandalorians and the police were still slugging it out with each other. No real indication of who had fired the blaster from that view.
It mattered little to the two Jedi as they sprinted up the hall. Dana moved on ahead, lashing her arms forward as soon as she got close enough to start splitting various pairs of combatants up with the Force. Just enough to kick them out of the frenzy of fighting and back into some sense.
Maarani wasn't far behind, igniting both lightsabers and sweeping for any weapon she could get a clean hit on, cutting through various kinds of metal to further disarm. When she reached the middle of the mess, she had a good view of a very pained Izan in one corner. In the other, a Mandalorian woman was clutching at her stomach, where the blaster shot had punched through her armour, and apparently caused bleeding as a result.
"Everyone cut it out! Now!"
The last of those still beating each other finally started to falter back towards their respective groups. Dana soon joined Maarani in the middle, keeping an eye on the Mandalorians while the lightsabers remained in the direction of the police.
"Before we continue…" Maarani lowered one of her blades, looking back over her shoulder. "Someone get on the holocom and call for medical already."
The one nearest the door made his way back inside the embassy proper at that, one of the less bruised men as it turned out.
Once assured of that, the lightsaber went right back up as she started looking over each of the police. "I want to know who the hell decided that resisting arrest constituted shooting people in the gut!"
At last, the simple trick worked. As soon as the words left her mouth, she honed right in on the flare of guilt that came from a younger officer amongst the police. Her sidearm was out of its holster, soon accompanied by her baton when Maarani pressed the lightsaber hilt to her neck. The hum of the blood-orange blade so close to her ear pushed that further.
"What's wrong with you people!? How utterly stupid can you lot-!"
She didn't even need to turn around to know who had just come back through the door. Both lightsabers deactivated almost immediately after, her hand faltering away from its hard press. By the time she had the strength to turn around, Azera was already kneeling over the wounded Mandalorian, set on healing her wound.
"Az."
"It's over, Tee. It's only going to get worse from here. For everyone else." She kept her head facing right towards her current patient, making her point clear.
Dana was barely able to wait until Azera was done before grabbing her arm. "Azera, you shouldn't have-"
"If this happens again, Dana, it's going to be more than one woman getting shot in the stomach." She shook herself free of that grip while standing up, and slowly making her way over towards the still recovering police.
While still very much dazed, Izan managed to pull himself from the corner he had been leaning into. There were a number of swollen cuts and gashes across his face and arms. His right eye was almost completely closed from the bruise it had taken. And yet, despite it all, he found some amount of strength for a weak frown as well.
"Look, there's plenty of others who-"
"I've stopped the worst case, the one who needed it most. And now…" She brought her hands up in front of her, keeping the wrists close together. "I surrender to Republic custody. No charges for the rest. Just take me in, get them medical help, and be done with it. Please."
All eyes eventually turned towards Maarani. It was near impossible to ignore her presence by then, given just how intense her projected feelings were becoming.
It took a long, one-sided stare between herself and Azera for that presence to subside. There was no arguing out of that course of action. And the alternative was unacceptable. The options that remained came down to making the best of what was to follow.
"Officer. You tell whomever it is she's handed over to, I get full, unrestricted visitation rights. And I don't reveal the face of your loose trigger to Mandalore the Steadfast in return." She kept that fierce glare up while turning her head to the cracked helmet of the lead officer. "That's on top of Azera's requirements. Don't cross me."
She could only keep the stare up a little longer before finally having to turn away. Seeing the nullifying cuffs clamp down around Azera's wrists before she was escorted away was just that bit too much for her to bear.
While it was far from a total defeat, it was still the biggest blow her plan could possibly suffer. Aside from the possible outcome she didn't want to consider at all. And it cut deeply to her soul.
The Mandalorians eventually began to disperse at last, some returning to the embassy at last, while others made themselves ready to leave when the medical staff arrived at last.
Izan made the brave decision to weakly grab Maarani's shoulder with his battered hand. "I tried. I'm sorry it wasn't enough, truly."
When Maarani looked to him, it wasn't out of bitterness at his failure, or disgust at his gesture. It was simple, and yet very profound grief at her own failure. So much of it that she eventually went to Dana instead, plunging her face against whatever she could for a bit of solace in the Jedi's embrace.
"...Details have finally surfaced about what has now been confirmed as the conditional surrender of the Sith Lord, Kiarna, to Republic authority. Reports indicate the notorious Sith made planetfall on Coruscant as early as yesterday morning…"
The holocom reporter continued on with some of the more generic details. Citing everything with just enough vagueness to conceal just how much had been down to Azera's cooperation.
For the trio watching, that being Rak'Sakar, Morgak and Sloane, the reality of the news was still all too plain. They all knew that it was simply not the case that Kiarna had been taken by force.
"...Kiarna is now being held in an undisclosed location, awaiting preparations for what may very well be the single largest trial held in the Republic, after the sentencing and subsequent rescue of the Dark Jedi, Ulic Qel-Droma, by Sith forces. Rumours have circulated that the Twi'lek pilot Tegama'Arani, formerly of Blue Squadron, is involved in the case surrounding the captured Sith, and has already made frequent visits to the Senate as a result. Her true motivations in this upcoming trial, are as of yet unknown."
Of the three, it was unsurprising that it was Rak'Sakar who had the most aggressive reaction, his fist slamming the holotable as soon as the broadcast ended.
"All our secrets! Military strategies! Security ciphers and codecs! Ship deployments! Darth Lasidia fails to return to us, and now this!?"
Morgak remained silent as he started to pace about, leaving Sloane to speak her mind on the matter.
"I warned you that the Lady of Balance is dangerous. The damage done to Kiarna is far more extensive than I thought. I would have a hard time believing there's anything left of the Sith we knew left in her to save. Ironic, given they so clearly expect a repeat of events surrounding Ulic's trial."
"Forget a rescue! We need to begin minimizing the damage she may already be causing at this very moment!"
"Wait."
The two leading Sith surprisingly did as Morgak asked, watching him return to the table.
His surprisingly abundant calm, given his usual attitude towards Kiarna, was enough to keep their attention as he pondered the rest of his plan.
"She has not been with the fleet, or our meetings for some time now. The codes will have to be changed immediately yes, but the rest has already been altered since her last proper contact. No, what we need is a more subtle approach."
He began tapping away at the controls, eventually bringing up a secure holocom line.
"Grand Moff Morgak on priority channel to Zygerria, requesting communications with High Representative Ashter."
To his contentment, it didn't take long at all for the line to be established, bringing up the holoimage of the Zygerrian negotiator herself.
"Ah, Grand Moff. A truly fascinating turn of events in the Republic, no? Would I be mistaken in assuming the timing is perfect for a reason?"
"Not in the slightest. It appears we have a significant breach of security that we are in no position to handle. You on the other hand are far better positioned for a simple establishment of observation."
Ashter smiled in her very smug way. "Indeed. Impartial observers, acting on behalf of the Empire as a technically neutral party. A very convenient means of getting close to your Sith in distress."
"And, Tegama'Arani." Morgak looked to Sloane at that moment, who lifted her posture a little more as she caught onto the real scope of his plan. "I think it safe to assume that your uncle's vendetta against her still stands. In which case, our indecision about her fate has now turned to what would surely be a substantial bounty. And a great boost to diplomatic relations."
"Really? How fascinating." Ashter gestured towards someone out of view, giving a nod that was clearly intended for far more than a mere acknowledgement, then looked back towards Morgak. "We will leave tonight, then. I'm sure we can arrange for a secure means of informing you as to your precious Shadow Hand's status once we arrive. Assuming we are granted access of course."
"Of course. So long as she remains alive, I see no reason to not continue coordinating efforts after arrival. This is a dangerous game we have all entered."
"Indeed. Good health to you, Grand Moff. To all of us."